A BABY tragically died of an infection at Huddersfield’s new birth centre less than an hour after being born.

Little Tily Ann Bray was born at 39 weeks at the Family Birth Centre at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in the early hours of September 19 last year.

Midwives had considered transferring mother Tracey Bray, 34, and dad Stuart to Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax at around 2.20am.

But she was kept at HRI where Tily was born and later died of an infection the coroner described as “a one-off tragedy” for her Bradley parents and family.

Tily had been born at 4.30am but did not respond to midwives’ resuscitation attempts and sadly died at 5.25am.

An inquest at Huddersfield Coroner’s Court yesterday heard that Gina Augarde, the birth centre manager, was called into work at 5.30am to comfort and provide support to Mr and Mrs Bray.

Deputy Coroner Paul Marks read a report of pathologist Dr Philip Bateman which had a detailed history.

In it, Dr Bateman said that at 2.20am, when Mrs Bray was fully dilated, thoughts to transfer her to Calderdale Royal Hospital were discounted and she remained at HRI.

The HRI birth centre opened in March 2008, led by midwives. Consultant-led maternity services were transferred to Calderdale Royal Hospital in August 2008.

Tily was born with a good heart rate at 4.30am but she struggled to breathe and gasped for breath.

She had a tube inserted and was given adrenaline with little impact and resuscitation was stopped just under an hour later.

Pathology reports on the placenta showed fluid surrounding the baby during growth. Tily had evidence of bronchopneumonia and infection of the tissue of her lungs.

Tily is said to have inhaled fluid into her airway, causing her breathing difficulties.

The cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia due to inhalation of fluid due to infection.

Deputy Coroner Paul Marks said: “It’s important to state that this infection was a one-off. It’s extremely unfortunate and tragic and it has obviously had terrible repercussions for the family.

“It’s a very, very sad and tragic case.

“Tily was a normal baby, but developed pneumonia from an infection and died as a result.”

He recorded a verdict of natural causes.