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A Prince George midwife has been barred from practicing for five years after a baby died shortly after being born.

According to an Aug. 9 BC College of Nurses and Midwives decision, registered midwife Karin Gerlach made a series of errors during the mother's pregnancy.

The decision says Gerlach failed to assess a pregnant woman in the hospital quickly enough when the expectant mom said the unborn baby wasn't moving and fetal heart tracing was atypical.

"Ms. Gerlach did not consult a physician in a timely manner when confronted with a concerning clinical picture that included an atypical and/or abnormal fetal heart tracing, lack of fetal movement, lack of fetal response to scalp stimulation, and decreased amniotic fluid," the decision reads. "Further, Ms. Gerlach did not communicate with the pregnant person and her spouse in a clear and detailed manner about the concerning clinical picture after she artificially ruptured the pregnant person's membranes and observed meconium in the amniotic fluid."

The regulator also says the midwife was "not clear" in discussions with the mom and her partner after the baby had been born.

"Specifically, she did not clearly or adequately provide information about the infant's condition prior to a transfer to a higher level of care where the infant later passed away," the College says.

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The regulator says Gerlach practiced outside of her scope when she performed a bedside ultrasound.

Documentation the midwife took throughout the pregnant woman's care was deemed to have been "inadequate."

The situation took place in August 2022 in Dawson Creek. Gerlach first became registered in 2000.

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Gerlach signed a consent agreement with the College and had her licence cancelled. She will be able to reapply in five years' time but will have to prove she has the "fitness, competence, and good character" to get her licence back.

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