Obstetrician to the stars faces multi-million pound negligence claim

A celebrity baby guru who helped Jerry Hall and Emma Thompson give birth is facing a multi-million pound compensation payout, it emerged.

Obstetrician Yehudi Gordon has admitted he was negligent in the birth of a child who suffered severe brain damage and needs round-the- clock care, according to a High Court writ.

James Hammond, now 16, has begun legal action. Similar cases have seen damages of more than £5million awarded.

James' mother Elizabeth, who has launched the lawsuit on her son's behalf, claims his brain damage could have been avoided if he had been born by caesarean section, as her local hospital had recommended.

But she said Dr Gordon advised her she could attempt a natural birth, despite her baby being in the breech position.

There were complications-during the procedure at the private St John and St Elizabeth Hospital in North London and James did not start to breathe until five minutes after he was born.

He was later discovered to have brain damage and cerebral palsy.

Mrs Hammond, of Bakewell, Derbyshire, had planned to give birth in Cambridge before discovering her baby was in the breech position.

She believed she could not have a natural delivery, but sought a second opinion from Dr Gordon, who booked her in for a natural birth at the hospital in St John's Wood.

Mrs Hammond gave birth in December 1992 and the High Court writ alleges James had to be ventilated and did not start breathing immediately.

According to the writ, Dr Gordon's lawyers have admitted negligence but the two sides have been unable to agree how much compensation the Hammonds should receive. 

The document said the medic failed to act correctly 'a number of times' during the course of the labour and 'could and should have' taken steps to deliver the child by caesarean.

Cate Blanchett (left) and Elle MacPherson were Dr Gordon's patients

It goes on: 'If the claimant had been delivered by caesarean section at any time prior to the final descent through the birth canal then all the claimant's brain injury and damage would have been avoided.'

Dr Gordon is considered a natural birth pioneer and encourages clients to use yoga techniques to control their labour. He is also credited with introducing birthing pools to Britain. 

The South African charges £5,000 a time for his services at birth and is so in demand that the hospital where he practices has become one of London's most popular maternity clinics.

Past patients include Cate Blanchett, Elle MacPherson and Heather Mills McCartney.

Dr Gordon and the hospital were unavailable for comment.