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EBB 410 - Evidence and Controversy Surrounding Freebirth

Evidence Based Birth®

Release Date: 09/09/2026

EBB 418 - Evidence on Natural Labor Induction: Castor Oil and Eating Dates show art EBB 418 - Evidence on Natural Labor Induction: Castor Oil and Eating Dates

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When Holly and Nathan Miller learned their baby was breech late in pregnancy, the unmedicated vaginal birth they had been preparing for suddenly felt out of reach. Living in rural South Georgia, they explored their options, including finding a provider experienced in vaginal breech birth, but ultimately faced limited choices close to home.   In this episode, EBB Childbirth Class graduates Holly and Nathan share how they shifted their focus from the birth they had originally envisioned to creating a family-centered Cesarean experience. They talk about advocating for a clear drape and...

info_outline EBB 410 - Evidence and Controversy Surrounding Freebirth show art EBB 410 - Evidence and Controversy Surrounding Freebirth

Evidence Based Birth®

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire examine the available evidence on planned unassisted birth, also known as freebirth, defined as intentionally giving birth without a qualified midwife or physician present.   They explore why some people choose a planned unassisted birth, including previous trauma, distrust of the medical system, barriers to preferred care, and a desire for greater autonomy. Dr. Dekker and Dr. Ailshire also explain how freebirth differs from midwife-attended home birth, what research shows about planned community birth, and the safeguards a trained...

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In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker and Dr. Sara Ailshire examine the available evidence on planned unassisted birth, also known as freebirth, defined as intentionally giving birth without a qualified midwife or physician present.

 

They explore why some people choose a planned unassisted birth, including previous trauma, distrust of the medical system, barriers to preferred care, and a desire for greater autonomy. Dr. Dekker and Dr. Ailshire also explain how freebirth differs from midwife-attended home birth, what research shows about planned community birth, and the safeguards a trained birth attendant can provide during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the newborn period. Finally, they discuss investigative reporting concerning the Free Birth Society, including allegations of misinformation and preventable harm associated with its community.

 

Content Note: This episode includes discussions of stillbirth, maternal death, newborn death, birth trauma, and serious complications related to planned unassisted birth.

 

(00:03:20) What Is Freebirth?
(00:07:41) Prenatal Care, Wild Pregnancy, and Freebirth
(00:10:30) How Common Is Freebirth?
(00:14:27) The History and Origins of Freebirth
(00:22:16) Why Do Some People Choose Freebirth?
(00:26:14) What Do We Know About the Risks of Freebirth?
(00:34:42) The Role of Skilled Midwives in Home Birth Safety
(00:42:28) Free Birth Society Controversy
(00:53:49) Lessons from the Free Birth Society
(00:55:44) Warning Signs of Controlling Group Dynamics and Influencer Manipulation
(01:01:50) Final Takeaways on Freebirth, Safety, and Informed Decision-Making

 

View the full transcript for this episode at evidencebasedbirth.com.

 

Resources
EBB 23 – Home Birth Midwives
EBB 110 – Inside an Unplanned, Unassisted Home Birth with Parent Sabrina Tran
EBB 122 – Home birth during the pandemic with Vicki Penwell
EBB 292 – Confronting the Unknowns in Childbirth with Liesel Teen of the Mommy Labor Nurse
EBB 130 – Home Birth in the Black Community with Isis Rose
Count the Kicks: https://countthekicks.org/
PUSH Pregnancy: https://www.pushpregnancy.org/
Star Legacy Foundation: https://starlegacyfoundation.org/
Healthy Birth Day: https://healthybirthday.org/
CDC Stillbirth resources: https://www.cdc.gov/stillbirth/communication-resources/index.html
Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support: https://nationalshare.org/
Stillbirth and infant loss support communities: https://postpartum.net/group/stillbirth-and-infant-loss-support-for-parents/

 

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