Traumatic childbirth described during midwife's trial

THE GRANDMOTHER of a boy born in 2019 with cerebral palsy told the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, that the midwife under whose care her pregnant daughter was, used a forceps when she had difficulty delivering the baby.

- ZELDA VENTER

The grandmother, who may only be identified as Mrs B to protect the now five-year-old child, was the second witness who accused former Pretoria East midwife Yolande Maritz Fouchee of being responsible for the fact that the babies were born with brain damage.

Carien Möller (who did not object to being identified) earlier this week testified that her daughter Sophia was also born with cerebral palsy in 2019 while she was under the care of Fouchee.

Fouchee is facing 14 charges, including one of culpable homicide and several charges of assault. The now deregistered midwife denied any wrongdoing and suggested that the fact that the babies were born with cerebral palsy could be genetic.

The prosecution will, however, call medical experts to testify in a bid to refute her defence.