A series of tragic deaths of Australian mothers and babies, as a result of so-called “freebirthing” has put this practice into the spotlight.

What is “freebirthing”, you ask? Call it birth without a safety net, that is: without any doctor, trained clinician or registered midwife present. Some women are alone. Some are just with their partner.

Today, senior writer Wendy Tuohy on why women are arguably risking their lives - and that of their baby - to engage in this increasingly popular practice, and the “birth influencers” encouraging them, some of whom have reportedly claimed to have more clinical skills than they do.

A series of tragic deaths of Australian mothers and babies, as a result of so-called &ldquo;freebirthing&rdquo; has put this practice into the spotlight. What is &ldquo;freebirthing&rdquo;, you ask? Call it birth without a safety net, that is: without any doctor, trained clinician or registered midwife present. Some women are alone. Some are just with their partner. Today, senior writer Wendy Tuohy on why women are arguably risking their lives - and that of their baby - to engage in this increasingly popular practice, and the &ldquo;birth influencers&rdquo; encouraging them, some of whom have reportedly claimed to have more clinical skills than they do.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

A birthing trend is leading to deaths. Why is 'freebirthing' growing in popularity?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/371e1527-732d-45d9-997d-b38b006de476/transcript

Advertisement