Sarah Skillington had faced a difficult birth, experiencing anxiety in the days after delivery and had also suffered sleeplessness when she was admitted to Mitcham Private Hospital, in Melbourne's east, on November 18, 2023.
The 33-year-old was last seen alive by her husband at 10.27pm before her unresponsive body was discovered 10 hours later and she was declared dead.
Victoria's workplace watchdog on Tuesday charged the hospital's parent organisation Ramsay Health Care with two counts of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
WorkSafe Victoria alleges the organisation failed to reasonably ensure that people other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks.
A coroner in June found hospital staff failed to properly check on Ms Skillington during the night, but ruled her suicide may not have been preventable.
The new mum had been placed in the perinatal mental health unit while she was in the grips of postpartum psychosis.
Her doctor didn't determine she was suffering at the time of admission, but coroner David Ryan agreed with medical evidence she was likely experiencing the condition at her death.
He found the overnight nurse did not conduct hourly observations as required and it appeared a "culture" had developed among some night-shift staff that meant checks were not done appropriately.
But Mr Ryan was unable to conclude Ms Skillington's death could've been prevented had she been appropriately observed overnight and the next morning.
"Even if hourly observations had been performed, Sarah would still have had an opportunity to take her life in the intervening periods," he said in his findings.
The coroner noted the overnight nurse wanted to prioritise the mother's sleep, which was in line with her treatment plan.
Ms Skillington had previously experienced disordered eating, health anxiety and reported "fleeting suicidal ideation".
A suicide note was found at her home in the days after her death and the coroner said the message was likely written before she was admitted to hospital.
The new mum was a well-regarded architect and has been described as a remarkable woman.
Her death was a tragedy which has devastated her family and friends.
The matter will be heard at Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 6.
Ramsay Health Care has been approached for comment.
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