‘Home Birth Influencer’ Faces Manslaughter Charges After Baby’s dies in prolonged Labour

Australian-based midwife and social media influencer Oyebola Coxon, 36, has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a baby boy during a home birth she supervised.

Coxon, who styled herself as a natural birth advocate with over 40,000 online followers, allegedly kept a woman in labour for two days without seeking medical assistance, despite clear warning signs and repeated requests to transfer to a hospital.

The mother was eventually rushed to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, where she underwent an emergency caesarean section on October 2, 2024. Tragically, while the baby was delivered alive, he died eight days later.

Coxon, the founder of the controversial platform Mamma Informata, had gained attention for rejecting mainstream medical practices, including ultrasounds and blood tests, while claiming conditions like gestational diabetes were “non-existent.” She also reportedly encouraged women to pursue high-risk home births — including breech and twin deliveries — and advised them to resist doctors’ recommendations.

Her arrest has triggered intense debate in both Australia and Italy about the dangers of unregulated health advice shared online.

Coxon appeared in court last Thursday and was granted conditional bail. Under the bail conditions, she is prohibited from practising or teaching anything related to pregnancy or childbirth, must surrender both her Australian and Italian passports, and report daily to Nelson Bay Police Station.

Her trial is scheduled to begin at Newcastle Crown Court on October 15, 2025.