Autonomy vs Risk – Inside Australia’s ‘freebirth’ movement
Following a series of deaths linked to the ‘freebirth’ movement, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Australian College of Midwives have issued a joint statement urging health ministers to enact legislation that will help end the deaths associated with ‘freebirths’.
Freebirth is the practice of giving birth, often at home without the presence a registered healthcare professional such as a Doctor of Midwife. Instead, some women choose to use birth assistants known as ‘Doulas’ who do not have clinical training, but provide emotional and physical support.
The two peak medical bodies have stated that “The absence of appropriate clinical support during freebirth has led to preventable harm and loss of life”. Consequently, they are calling on health ministers to ensure that the law prohibits unlicensed midwives or medical professionals from undertaking the management of labour and birth as defined in the South-Australian legislation.