The Health Office of Central Tapanuli Regency (Tapteng), North Sumatra Province, has spoken out regarding the viral case of a baby who died during the delivery process at the Pinangsori Community Health Center.
The Head of Health Services explained that this case must be viewed in its entirety by considering medicolegal aspects. The top priority for health workers in an emergency situation is to save the mother’s life.
The chronology of FJN’s delivery was then explained. She arrived at the Pinangsori Community Health Center at 06:15 WIB on Monday, with signs of labor including the discharge of mucus mixed with blood.
Initial examination results showed high blood pressure (180/90 mmHg, then 160/90 mmHg). The fundal height was 38 cm, but the fetal heart rate (FHR) could not be heard despite repeated checks. An internal examination (VT) showed 8 cm dilation with the head in position.
“The midwife had recommended a referral to a hospital, but the patient and family refused. As an alternative, the patient was advised to lie on her left and right side,” the explanation stated.
At 09:30 WIB, after full dilation, the midwife was forced to break the amniotic sac, resulting in yellowish-green and cloudy amniotic fluid. A referral was again suggested, but the family still refused.
Considering the FHR was no longer present and knowing the baby had experienced intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), the midwife made the decision to proceed with the delivery for the safety of the mother.
During the delivery process, the baby’s head became stuck in the birth canal. The baby’s shoulder was also stuck in the birth canal, and the baby was estimated to weigh 4 kg.
Considering the critical condition, the midwife was forced to perform a pulling maneuver three times because the baby had experienced IUFD.
“This obstetric procedure should have been performed in a hospital. But because the patient and family were unwilling, the midwife provided delivery assistance according to standard normal delivery care,” the explanation continued.
The decision was made with the principle of maternal safety as the top priority. The patient had also signed an informed consent as a form of approval for medical procedures.
It was added that on the same day, around 17:00 WIB, patient FJN had been saved, was beginning to recover, and had been taken home with daily monitoring and evaluation.
Medicolegal Principles
It was also emphasized that the actions of health workers at the Pinangsori Community Health Center were based on professional standards and SOPs.
Several medicolegal principles that were implemented include:
• Patient safety is the highest law (Salus Populi Suprema Lex).
• In emergencies, maternal safety takes precedence over the fetus (Safe Motherhood).
• Actions were performed according to standard normal delivery care standards.
• Medical records were completed as legal evidence.
• Medical ethics were upheld by respecting the patient and maintaining confidentiality.
“Medically, the fetus had no FHR since the initial examination. Therefore, the top priority was to save the mother. The steps taken by the midwife were ethical and professional,” was emphasized.
Police Report and Viral on Social Media
This case became a public spotlight after the patient’s family reported an alleged malpractice to the Tapteng Police with report number STPL/B/421/VIII/2025/SPKT/RES TAPTENG/POLDASU.
The father, Irawan, accused that their baby died with its head separated due to the midwife’s actions.
The case then went viral on social media after the victim’s sibling, via a Facebook account, uploaded a video of the baby’s corpse with the head separated. The upload ultimately triggered strong reactions from netizens.
In response to this, the Tapteng Health Office asked the public not to rush to conclusions.
The Head of Health Services ensured that they would be cooperative with the ongoing legal process.
“We deeply empathize with the patient’s family. However, it must be emphasized that health
