Tragic Infant Death in Moscow Home Birth Involving Unqualified Assistant
A 27-year-old Russian social media influencer has experienced what she describes as "the hardest moment" of her life after her newborn baby died during a home birth assisted by a woman with no formal medical training. The incident occurred in Moscow on December 13 last year, when Aisha Rakaeva gave birth to a baby boy in an inflatable pool at her apartment.
Infant Drowned in Amniotic Fluid During Delivery
The infant was born alive but tragically died approximately one hour later. According to local news reports and law enforcement sources, the baby boy drowned in amniotic fluid during the delivery process. While babies naturally absorb fluid from their lungs after birth, complications can arise when this process fails to occur properly.
Medical experts note that a condition called Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) can develop when excess fluid remains in a newborn's lungs, potentially causing severe breathing difficulties. It remains unclear whether Rakaeva's baby suffered from this specific condition, as no formal medical diagnosis was made during the brief period between birth and death.
Untrained Assistant Charged with Illegal Medical Practice
The woman who assisted with the delivery, 59-year-old Natalia Kotlar, was arrested shortly after the infant's death. Investigators discovered that Kotlar had presented herself as an experienced psychologist, educator, and instructor of "Gentle Birth" courses while operating a parenting culture centre. She had even authored a book on water births, claiming to have delivered one of her own children in the Indian Ocean.
However, Russian authorities confirmed that Kotlar possessed no formal medical qualifications permitting her to provide midwifery services. The Main Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for Moscow stated that the 1965-born woman "was not a medical professional and did not have a higher medical education or qualification in obstetrics and gynecology."
Kotlar has been charged with illegal medical practice and providing services that failed to meet safety requirements. She reportedly denies any wrongdoing and is currently challenging her pre-trial detention through legal channels.
Medical Expert Criticizes Lack of Proper Training
Obstetrician, gynecologist, and public health expert Lyubov Yerofeyeva emphasized to local media that safely delivering babies requires comprehensive medical training beyond practical know-how. She explained that proper childbirth assistance involves "not just a huge amount of theory but extensive practical skills" that Kotlar apparently lacked.
Yerofeyeva suggested that a trained medical professional would have recognized potential complications during delivery. "If I were in her place and heard that the baby's heart rate was rising - assuming she even knew how to monitor a fetal heartbeat - I would have suspected something was wrong and called an ambulance," she stated. "In hospital, doctors could have worked out what was happening and saved the baby."
Influencer's Heartbreaking Social Media Statement
Aisha Rakaeva, who goes by the name Aisha Chigga on social media platforms where she has amassed over 1.5 million followers, shared her grief publicly on January 27. The choreographer, dancer, model, and actress - who has worked on programs including "The Masked Singer" and "Star Factory" - posted on Telegram about the devastating experience.
"It's with a heavy heart that I write this to you... Tragedy struck during my home birth... my newborn baby didn't survive," Rakaeva wrote. "I was hospitalized, and now I'm experiencing incredible pain; the night was terrible. This is the hardest moment of my life, and I don't even know how to find the strength to continue."
The influencer described facing "numerous hearings, consultations, investigations, and funerals" in the aftermath of her baby's death. She appealed to her followers for moral support, acknowledging that while she receives "a lot of threats and hate," she also benefits from "much more care and support" from her online community.
Parallel Case Highlights Broader Concerns About Home Birth Safety
This tragic incident in Russia follows a similar case in the United Kingdom where a newborn baby girl died after community midwives failed to properly monitor her heartbeat during a home birth. The August 2024 incident involving Pippa Gillibrand, who died at 12 days old after suffering brain damage from oxygen deprivation during delivery, is currently subject to an inquest.
The British case highlights broader concerns about home birth safety, particularly regarding proper medical monitoring and emergency response capabilities. Pippa's parents, Victoria and Thomas Gillibrand, have expressed hope that the upcoming inquest will provide answers about why their daughter died, stating that she will be "eternally missed" by all who knew her.
These parallel cases in different countries underscore the critical importance of proper medical training and oversight during childbirth, whether in hospital settings or planned home births. Medical professionals consistently emphasize that while many home births proceed without complication, having qualified medical personnel present with appropriate emergency equipment and hospital transfer plans remains essential for maternal and infant safety.
