British Royal Endures 40-Hour Medical Incident At Home

A royal descendant’s home birth turns into a 40-hour ordeal with a shocking twist, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of childbirth.

At a Glance

  • Maddison May Brudenell, Lord Mountbatten’s great-granddaughter, endured a 40-hour home labor
  • The umbilical cord snapped unexpectedly, leading to an emergency hospital visit
  • Both mother and baby Michael Adam have fully recovered from the ordeal
  • The incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness in home births

A Royal Home Birth Gone Awry

Maddison May Brudenell, great-granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten, recently shared her harrowing experience of a home birth that took an unexpected turn. The 40-hour labor, which she had hoped would be her easiest delivery yet, became a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of childbirth. Brudenell’s ordeal serves as a cautionary tale for expectant mothers considering home births and underscores the importance of having emergency medical care readily available.

Even when you think you can do it perfectly naturally – and many often do – you just don’t know what medical emergency is around the corner. And it doesn’t matter who you are.

Despite the lengthy labor, the real shock came after Brudenell delivered her son. In her own words, “I lifted him out of the water and held him to my chest, and then I heard a snap, it was very alarming.” 

This snap was the umbilical cord breaking, a rare and potentially dangerous complication that required immediate medical attention.

The Crucial Moments

The moments following the umbilical cord snap were tense and critical. Brudenell recounted, 

“Michael went white and then the midwives took over; then the ambulances and paramedics arrived.” The swift response of the medical professionals present and the quick arrival of emergency services highlight the importance of having a contingency plan for home births.

“I thought my fourth baby would be my easiest. This labour really surprised me,” she said.

A Happy Ending and New Beginnings

Despite the dramatic turn of events, both Maddison and her newborn son, Michael Adam, have made a full recovery. The baby boy, named after Maddison’s grandfather, a royal obstetrician who delivered all of the late Queen’s children, is healthy and thriving.