Charges Over Fatal Melbourne Homebirth

A midwife checks the condition of a pregnant woman during a routine check-up at Royal North Shore Hospital's Birth Centre June 7, 2006 in Sydney, Australia. (Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

Two women have been charged with negligent manslaughter over a fatal homebirth in Melbourne eight years ago.

Homicide detectives arrested a 59-year-old Preston woman and NSW police arrested a 43-year-old Mullumbimby woman on a Victorian warrant on Aug 14.

Both were charged with manslaughter following the death of a 36-year-old Watsonia woman in January 2012.

They will be bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 21.

Melbourne