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Risks of 'free birthing' in spotlight after death of premature twins in NSW

Experts say anecdotal reports suggest cases of free births are increasing - and it should prompt a closer examination of the experience of women using maternal care services in Australia.

Experts say anecdotal reports suggest cases of free births are increasing - and it should prompt a closer examination of the experience of women using maternal care services in Australia. Source: AAP

The premature death of twins in New South Wales linked to an apparent free birth has raised fresh concerns about the practice.


Published

By Amy Hall, Sydney Lang

Presented by Claudette Centeno-Calixto

Source: SBS




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The premature death of twins in New South Wales linked to an apparent free birth has raised fresh concerns about the practice.


KEY POINTS

  • A "freebirth" - sometimes called a "wild birth" - is when a woman plans to gives birth outside of a hospital, without the supervision and presence of a registered health professional in childbirth, such as a midwife or doctor.
  • The chief midwife at the Australian College of Midwives, Alison Weatherstone, says it is important to understand the level of risk when parents forgo the supervision of a registered health professional like a midwife or doctor.
  • The recent death of premature twins in Byron Bay, New South Wales [[11 Feb]] - in an apparent free birth - is raising fresh concerns about the practice.

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