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Time of India
10-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Newborn dies after mother uses 'Instagram-approved' waterbirth; How safe is the ‘freebirth' method?
In a heartbreaking case in Victoria, Australia, a newborn nicknamed 'Baby E' tragically died hours after being born in a home birthing pool rented via an Instagram influencer promoting 'freebirths', births without medical or midwife assistance. The coroner concluded the death might have been preventable with proper antenatal care or hospital birth support. But what does science say about water births in general? Are birthing pools always dangerous, or is the risk tied to how and where they are used? The tragic death of Baby E: The case that sparked concern In December 2022, Baby E was born at home, unsupported by any medical professional. The labor was prolonged, and the mother couldn't deliver the placenta until the next morning. When the baby was later found unresponsive and pale, paramedics tried CPR but could not revive her. A forensic pathologist determined the cause was complications from the delayed delivery, complications that, in a hospital or with proper midwife support, likely would have been prevented. The coroner stressed that this outcome might have been avoided with professional medical assistance. What is ' freebirth '? Freebirth, also known as unassisted birth, refers to the deliberate decision to give birth at home or elsewhere without the presence of a healthcare professional, such as a midwife or doctor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why is everyone rushing to get their hands on this new air cooler? News of the Discovery Undo It is a planned home birth where the birthing person chooses not to have any medical assistance or monitoring during labor and delivery. Navigating the risks: The 'to-do' list Freebirths, births without any medical or midwifery oversight, are not the same as planned home births with professional support. If considering freebirth, prioritize thorough preparation, including researching potential risks and complications, creating a detailed emergency plan, and ensuring access to immediate medical care if needed. Open communication with healthcare providers, even if you plan to freebirth, is crucial for addressing individual risk factors and making informed decisions. In the case of going ahead with the plan of freebirth, consulting resources like antenatal classes and seeking information from midwives or other healthcare professionals is recommended. Furthermore, one should talk to your healthcare provider about potential complications that might require hospital transfer and develop a clear plan for how to manage these situations. Additionally, there must be a detailed emergency plan in place that outlines how to recognize and respond to potential complications, including how to transport yourself to a hospital and what support is available in the area. In Baby E's case, there was no antenatal education, monitoring, or readiness to escalate to a hospital during complications. The coroner emphasized that promotional materials for water births don't apply to unsupervised, home-based situations. What does research say about freebirths For low-risk pregnancies, research offers reassuring news under proper medical control: A UK study published in The Guardian of over 73,000 births found no higher risks in water births supported by NHS midwives. Complication and mortality rates were similar to those of land births. A large-scale US and birth-center study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology , of 35,060 matched pregnancies found water births led to fewer maternal hemorrhages and hospital visits, with no increase in newborn death rates, when supervised by skilled midwives. Minor risks like umbilical cord issues were noted but managed effectively. These findings suggest water births can be safe under well-supported, low-risk, and medically supervised conditions. What do professionals say about freebirths Despite these positive findings (and the massive online popularity), major medical bodies like the ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) urge caution. What are the potential dangers associated with waterbirth? Umbilical cord avulsion: Cord snapping might happen when the baby is lifted quickly, though rare and usually manageable. Infection risk: Particularly from waterborne bacteria like Legionella , especially if the pool isn't properly cleaned or contains recirculating water. Water aspiration or respiratory complications: In compromised newborns, the 'diving reflex' may not protect against full inhalation, which can lead to respiratory distress. ACOG's guidelines note that while water immersion during early labor may offer benefits like pain relief, there's insufficient evidence regarding safety during actual delivery underwater (second stage of labor). Concerns include infection risks, water aspiration, and cord avulsion, all of which demand strict protocols and oversight. Ultimately, the difference between safe and unsafe water birth often lies in the planning and professional support. A planned home birth with a skilled midwife, who can monitor mother and baby and transfer to the hospital if needed, carries far lower risk than unassisted, influencer-driven births. This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Birthing methods, including water births, carry potential risks and should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. Readers should not base medical decisions solely on this article and are encouraged to seek guidance from licensed medical providers. Expanded newborn screening could save premature infants' lives, finds study
Daily Mail
07-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Woman loses her baby after choosing dangerous 'freebirth' method promoted by Instagrammer
A newborn girl died after her mother delivered her using a home birthing pool hired from an Instagram influencer who advocates for 'freebirths', a coroner has found. Melbourne-based influencer Emily Lal creates content opposing medical intervention during pregnancy, known as 'freebirths', and offers birthing pools for rent. Ms Lal has said she is 'very disillusioned with the medical system' and that registered midwives are 'complicit in, and contributing to, the harm of women'. Ms Lal was cited in a coronial report published on Thursday into the death of a newborn, 'Baby E', in December 2022. The mother, 'Ms E', did not seek regular medical help during pregnancy, attending a GP only at 36 weeks' gestation. She engaged directly with Ms Lal, through her Instagram, 'The Authentic Birthkeeper', from whom she rented the birthing pool she used to deliver her baby. Ms E said she remained in social contact with Ms Lal but did not seek any services or advice from her, other than inquiring about a possible visit after the birth. According to a record relied on by the coroner, Ms Lal recalled Ms E texted her shortly after the baby was born on the evening of December 28 saying: 'I did it.' She did not deliver the placenta until the following morning and gradually became concerned the baby was suffering complications. During the morning, Ms E sent another text to Ms Lal saying: 'We can't wake her, we aren't sure if she's breathing,' alongside an image of the newborn with a blue face. Paramedics were unable to revive the baby, who died on the morning of December 29, but rushed Ms E to hospital for treatment. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was neonatal pneumonia, meconium aspiration, and chorioamnionitis, secondary to prolonged labour in a home birthing pool. Forensic pathologist Dr Yeliena Baber stated that had the birth occurred in a hospital, preventative measures could have been taken. 'Even if Baby E's condition was poor at the time of her birth, if she had been born at hospital, she would have received immediate resuscitation from trained neonatologists, improving her likelihood of survival,' she said. Coroner Fitzgerald accepted the autopsy findings, stating the use of the birthing pool contributed to the baby's death. 'It was unlikely to have occurred if the birth occurred in a hospital setting, and it may also have been avoided if the birth was a planned homebirth with appropriate midwife support,' she said. The coroner made no adverse findings against the parents or Ms Lal. Ms Lal is not a health professional and her social media profile bears the disclaimer: 'no medical advice'. She has repeatedly claimed it is not her intent to convert anyone to her method of pregnancy and, instead, aims only to express her own opinion. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Ms E relied on any representations by Ms Lal in deciding how to conduct the birth or pregnancy. Safer Care Victoria (SCV) encourages women and families to seek care from trained and registered health professionals during pregnancy. 'In recent years, there has been an increase in freebirths in Victoria and unfortunately, some have resulted in poor outcomes for mothers and babies, such as severe bleeding in the mother or breathing problems in the baby leading to long term health issues or even death,' its website reads. It strongly encourages 'women and families to seek care from trained AHPRA registered professionals, who can provide medical support when needed, helping to ensure the safest possible outcomes for mother and baby.'
