In the wake of several recent tragedies linked to freebirth, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) are calling for policy change.
Freebirth is the intentional practice of giving birth without a registered healthcare professional, such as a midwife or doctor, present. It’s different from a homebirth, which is a planned birth at home with a registered healthcare provider.
The absence of appropriate clinical support during freebirth is leading to preventable harm and loss of life, advocates say.
Last month, Melbourne food influencer Stacey Hatfield made news headlines after she died at 30 years of age in what her family has said was a complication during the birth of her child at home.
Her husband said she died September 29 after an “unforeseen and extremely rare complication arose” giving birth to their first-born son. Hatfield’s death is being investigated by the coroner.
“She was my lighthouse in the storm and the world is less bright without her in it,” Hatfield’s husband, Nathan Warnecke wrote in a tribute on Instagram.
An investigation from ABC last year revealed a series of devastating freebirth outcomes, with seven baby deaths linked to freebirths between 2022 and early 2024, in a small pocket of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Victoria’s health complaints watchdog recently banned one Australian birthing influencer, Emily Lal (also known as “The Authentic Birthkeeper”) from promoting her views and providing advice online.
Lal is alleged to have “facilitated and/or participated in home births which may put both mothers and babies at risk”, Health Complaints Commissioner Professor Bernice Redley said in a public warning.
Call to end freebirth deaths
Among the rise in freebirth influencers and misinformation, RANZCOG and ACM are calling on Commonwealth and state and territory ministers for health to enact legislation that would advance the safety of birthing women and people and their babies, enhance professional accountability, and clarify the roles and responsibilities of obstetric and midwifery practitioners.
This legislation would be consistent with the model adopted in South Australia under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia) (Restricted Birthing Practices) Amendment Act 2013.
The SA legislation defines “restricted birthing practice” as an act that involves undertaking the care of a woman by managing the three stages (or any part of those stages) of labour or childbirth or of managing the third stage (the placenta) … only a registered midwife or medical practitioner (or a student under supervision) may perform such a practice.
Advocates say adopting this legislation would ensure that unlicensed or unregulated persons are prohibited by law from undertaking the management of labour and birth.
It would also harmonise regulatory frameworks across states and territories, as well as promote transparency, accountability and safety in birthing services.
“While choice and model of care are important, such choice must operate within frameworks that ensure safety, quality and accountability. This proposed legislation would affirm that principle,” said Dr Nisha Khot, RANZCOG’s President.
Dr Heather Waterfall, an O&G in regional South Australia, and Chair of the RANZCOG South Australia & Northern Territory Committee has said: “Women and babies deserve safe, evidence-based care.”
“By enshrining in law the requirement that birthing services be provided by registered professionals working to defined standards, we have elevated system-wide practice.”
Echoing this sentiment, ACM President Dr Zoe Bradfield said that the organisation “respects individual women’s right to autonomy in birth”.
“Harmonising national legislation as proposed, will ensure all women can have confidence in the transparency, safety and accountability of care during birth, in the same way, all across Australia,” said Dr Bradfield.