B.C. parents sue woman with history of illegal midwifery over botched home birth

A Vancouver Island childbirth activist, Gloria Lemay, is facing a lawsuit from the parents of a child who was allegedly injured during a botched home birth. Despite being prohibited from serving as a midwife for over two decades, Lemay allegedly acted as a midwife or birth attendant for a Chemainus couple in 2021.

The lawsuit, filed in B.C. Supreme Court, claims that the child suffered genitalia injuries during 18 hours of labor under Lemay’s care. The parents were forced to abandon the home birth and rush to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for emergency medical attention. They accuse Lemay of malicious, reckless, and high-handed behavior, including dismissing their concerns, falsely assuring them that a hospital would send them home, and sleeping during crucial moments of labor.

Lemay, who advertises herself as having exceptional expertise and success in natural at-home births, failed to disclose her permanent prohibition from performing midwifery services or her previous criminal charges related to the deaths of a newborn and a fetus in her care. The parents claim they entered into a $2,600 contract with Lemay, who allegedly made false allegations about the safety of hospital births and failed to provide proper care during labor.

The lawsuit details how Lemay wrongly diagnosed a fleshy mass protruding during labor as a vulvar edema, leading to the baby being delivered via C-section at the hospital. The child suffered injuries to his groin, testicles, scrotum, and reproductive capabilities, according to the parents.

Lemay, who has a history of defying court orders and facing jail time for contempt of court, has not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit. She has been under scrutiny by the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives for allegedly practicing midwifery without a license.

Despite her past legal troubles, Lemay continues to teach midwifery and doula training courses on her website. She has been convicted of criminal negligence causing death in the past but was later acquitted on appeal.

The parents, whose identities are being protected, are seeking damages for the physical and psychological harm caused to their child during the botched home birth. The lawsuit highlights the dangers of unlicensed practitioners and the importance of ensuring proper credentials and experience when seeking maternity care.