Tamara Lovett, the Calgary mother accused in the death of her seven-year-old son in March 2013, took the stand in her own defence on Monday.

Lovett, 47,  is charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life and criminal negligence in the death of Ryan Lovett over three years ago.

The little boy died from sepsis after he contracted a strep infection and his organs shut down.

"It was the result of multi-organ failure. Every organ in the body was starting to fail. This child died because of an overwhelming sepsis and parainfluenza," said Dr. Elizabeth Brooks-Lim.

The boy was treated with holistic remedies including dandelion tea and oil or oregano and doctors testified that his immune system was exhausted from fighting infection.

"The major organs all showed signs of an infection of the blood...that is to say sepsis or septicemia and as a result of this infection the organs that normally produce the immune response of the body appeared exhausted from having to counter an infection," said Dr. Brooks-Lim.

Lovett told police in an interview that the boy had complained of leg pain and his eyes became jaundiced in the days before he died. She said he had flu symptoms and nosebleeds and was having trouble standing.

She said that she had taken him to a holistic clinic a number of times and a forensic examination of her computer showed searches for "oil of wild oregano testimonials" and information on earaches, ear infections, norovirus and "radiation sickness."

Lovett said she called 911 after Ryan collapsed in the bathroom and began convulsing.

The Crown wrapped its case on Friday and on Monday, Lovett's lawyer, Alain Hepner, started presenting his case.

Lovett took the stand and told the court that she delivered her son herself with an unregistered midwife and that he was examined by a chiropractor as a baby.

She told the court that she thought Ryan had the flu and didn't realize he had an infection. She said she realized something was wrong when the little boy started slurring his words.

Lovett said she should have driven him to hospital instead of calling 911. She said she 'failed' because she didn't know he was that sick and thought she 'was doing the best for him at all times.'

Under cross examination, Lovett said Ryan didn't have a birth certificate because she 'wanted him to make his own choices when he turned 18' and that she didn't want to put his father's name on it so she didn't get him one.

The Crown asked Lovett if she thought her son's ailments merited a trip to the doctor and she said 'not at that point, no.' She also told the court that she wasn't against taking Ryan to hospital but didn't think he needed it.

Lovett's testimony wrapped in the afternoon and the defence is expected to call its final witnesses on Tuesday.

(With files from The Canadian Press)