Medical community calls for accountability for 'birthkeepers' promoting unassisted childbirth

The growing freebirth movement, fueled by influencers and podcasters, encourages women to reject modern medicine in favor of unassisted childbirth, often called a "wild pregnancy." These groups often use language around "sovereign living" and birth as a "sacred ritual."

*Note: This article discusses topics that may be disturbing to some readers.*

A freebirth is defined as a birth at home without any registered medical professional present. This differs from a homebirth, where a midwife typically attends after a doctor has assessed the pregnancy as low-risk.

Birthkeepers are non-medical personnel who offer emotional, physical, and educational support during labor. Unlike doulas, who frequently collaborate with medical professionals, many birthkeepers hold anti-medicine beliefs. While neither birthkeepers nor doulas are regulated, and lack a governing body, some doulas voluntarily adhere to a code of conduct.

Recent deaths linked to freebirths, including that of Melbourne influencer Stacey Warnecke in September, have prompted medical professionals to speak out against the spread of dangerous misinformation by these birth influencers.

Dr. Nisha Khot, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), warns of the potential dangers. "When things do go wrong, they can be very serious," she stated. "They can happen very quickly and be life-threatening for mothers and babies."

Reports indicate a connection between freebirths in Victoria and the deaths of six babies and one woman, highlighting the risks associated with this practice.