Freebirthing – a great idea or courting disaster?
July 30, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Women's Health
Freebirthing, delivering your child at home without any healthcare professional present, even a midwife, is becoming more popular in some circles. Some women do take advantage of health care for prenatal tests and care, but then they choose to deliver at home with only their partner and/or family and friends present.
If you read this article, Freebirthing: Is it madness or the ideal way to give birth?, the mothers seem to think that if they don’t worry about emergencies, they won’t happen. I’m all for the power of positive thinking, but that seems – to me – to be really playing with fire. Not having any emergency plan or back up could result in disaster.
I’m all for women taking control of their bodies and their deliveries, I just have a huge issue with intentional unattended births.
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Unattended births have always freaked me out, too–even though I’ve had four easy, uneventful births, and three were out of hospital, I was always very glad to have a professional there so that i didn’t have to worry about whether everything was really all right. However, I understand that in some cases, women end up having unattended births because they are denied VBACs or don’t have access to the homebirth midwives because they are illegal or unavailable in their state–and that makes me angry on their behalf. It’s not my thing and I have some serious reservations, but I believe strongly in birth choices on both ends of the spectrum–and I guess until I’ve walked a mile in somebody else’s swollen feet, I can’t condemn it too strongly.
I agree Meagan – I believe women should have the choice but I’m just so uneasy about unattended births. I don’t think I’d ever forgive myself if I lost a child or my child developed a disability because of a choice I made. But, that’s just me.
I agree Marijke. I can’t tell other women what to do, but it would kill me is my decision resulted in harm to my child.
I’m glad that people have had success, however, and I can completely understand both the desire and the philosophy.
I dont understand why any woman would want to take that chance and put themselves and their baby at risk. At least if something goes wrong in a hospital or with a midwife, they would be prepared for anything. When your home, there is no one to help you. What if you are bleeding on the inside and dont know it? What if the baby gets stuck coming out? I have had two children and I wouldnt change their births for anything, my hospital was wonderful. I respect you if you want a home birth, but at LEAST have a midwife on call…
I gave birth at home with my Husband, Mother and Best Friends at my side. We bought a small pool and filled it with warm water, it was so peaceful, and it was wonderful to have control over the birth. We bought sterilized items from the hospital took infant CPR classes and prepared in everyway possible. I went to all my pre-natal visits, but i knew i wanted to give birth without intervention. It was wonderful!
I think it is wonderful that women can give birth unassisted…I support that right 110%. I don’t think that people ought to judge the way a mother chooses to deliver her child, she wouldn’t have decided on freebirthing without a lot of forethought. I will most likely not have a completely unassisted birth, but I hope to have my children in my home with a midwife I trust. Kudos to all those strong women out there!!
I fully support a womans right to choose what ever is right for her. however being very Well informed and educated is so important. My first pregnancy was uneventful until the last few weeks…breach baby until he flipped a few days before before being born. I was 7 days “late” and my bp us up too high and I was bloated. He was born healthy by C-section 2 days later with his cord around his neck 4 and I do mean 4 times. If I would have opted for freebirth we both would have been in danger. My 2nd was midwife assisted in a hospital. cord X1 , no problem, no repeat c-section-home in less than 24hours. my third son, again midwife assisted, no problems the entire pregnancy…but after a very short labor I hemoraged and needed medical help immediatley. bottom line you are pregnant to have a child, a baby, a little person. How it happens may not be the most “fufilling” but do you want a “perfect birth” or a healty baby. If I ever have a 4th I might do a home birth, but my babys health overides my desires…..which is what parenthood is.
I think Its way crazy Its almost like yu dont want anyone to know your giving birth. Its very unsafe and clean and I think i should be outlawed. Society looks down on women who secretly give birth in public places so why is this ok. ex. Women or teens having babies in bathrooms and such an such