Free birth—the practice of giving birth without the assistance of a medical professional—has become a subject of increasing discussion in Australia. While data on the prevalence of free birth remains scarce, conversations around it are gaining traction, as more women explore alternative birthing options outside the traditional medical system. Some view free birth as an empowering, natural choice, others, including many healthcare professionals, are deeply concerned about its safety.

Tammy, 32, from the Byron Bay area in NSW, is one of many women who chose free birth for her most recent delivery. She had significant concerns about the medical system in her local area, which played a major role in her decision.

“First and foremost, I wanted a natural birth, and I knew that doing it myself would ensure that happened. I gave birth to my daughter in 2020, and I had a really traumatic experience. I was supposed to birth her in the birthing centre attached to the hospital, but had to be transferred to the hospital. I thought many of the interventions that felt forced upon me were unnecessary,” Tammy explained.

Her experience, while personal, highlights a growing trend. Studies show that while 97% of Australian women give birth in hospital settings, up to one-third report feeling traumatised by their birth experiences. This trauma often stems from the over-medicalisation of childbirth, including unnecessary interventions such as induction, epidurals, and C-sections. For some women, these experiences lead them to seek alternatives like free birth, where they feel more in control of their bodies and their birth experiences.

In Australia, free birth refers to giving birth without professional medical assistance. While it’s legal, it comes with significant risks. For every 1,000 babies born after 28 weeks of pregnancy, fewer than three die, and maternal deaths are even rarer. When these tragedies do occur, they’re usually followed by a thorough review to understand the cause. However, the situation is much murkier when it comes to free births. There is no formal registry or public data on the number of free births in Australia, and when emergencies or fatalities happen, they often don’t make the headlines. The lack of transparency in this area has led to significant concern about the safety of free birth.

While Tammy had a positive outcome with her free birth, many healthcare professionals are increasingly worried about the trend. Pam, a retired midwife with years of experience, expressed concern over the growing number of women seeking free birth options.

“Free birth is exactly what it sounds like: a birth with no medical professional present, and while it is legal in Australia, that doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Pam explained. “Life-threatening issues like postpartum haemorrhage, breathing problems, and foetal distress can easily go unnoticed and untreated. Midwives are trained to spot these issues early and act quickly when necessary. Without a trained professional present, these situations can escalate and result in the loss of life. Something as simple as the absence of a C-section or other life-saving intervention could mean the difference between life and death.”

In many free birth situations, women choose to employ the help of a ‘birthkeeper’ or ‘free birth doula’. These individuals offer support during labour, providing comfort, guidance, and encouragement. However, unlike midwives, free birth doulas are not considered medical professionals in Australia. They may assist with things like herbal remedies, traditional birth skills, and ceremonies meant to create a calming environment for the birth. While these doulas are legally allowed to provide services, their work is unregulated, and they do not have formal medical training.

Tammy, for instance, found her free birth doula through Instagram after she became pregnant with her son.

“I had already decided that I would free birth if I fell pregnant again after my daughter, and I found my doula through a friend on Instagram. We connected right away, and she alleviated any niggling fears I had in the back of my mind. She encouraged my decision, and I felt such a sense of empowerment. Women have been giving birth for thousands of years—it is the most natural thing in the world to do,” she said.

Pam believes that the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in increasing the number of free births.

“COVID was the perfect storm for the free birthing movement to rise. People were avoiding hospitals, and midwives were overwhelmed with requests to attend home births. Some women, unable to find a midwife who could come to their homes, chose to forgo professional help altogether and take matters into their own hands,” Pam recalled.

The increase in free births in Australia reflects a larger conversation about the medicalisation of childbirth and the desire for autonomy in the birthing process. Women like Tammy seek a return to natural, non-interventive births where they have control over their experience. However, it is essential to balance this desire for autonomy with the safety and well-being of both the mother and baby. Free birth might feel like the right choice for some, but it comes with real risks that cannot be ignored.