What is freebirth?

Freebirth is when you choose to birth your baby without help from a midwife or another registered health professional. It's also known as an unassisted birth or 'birth outside the system'.

Usually, you freebirth at home. Or you might decide to give birth at a location that has special significance for you.

In Australia, almost all babies (97%) are born in hospital.

The remainder are either:

• born before the pregnant woman can get to hospital
• born at home with a midwife
• freebirths

There can be risks to your wellbeing or the health of your baby if something goes wrong during a freebirth. If unexpected complications happen during labour and birth you may need to go to hospital urgently to get help.

What are my options for where I give birth?

When you're pregnant, you will need to think about where to give birth. This could be:

• in a hospital
• at a birthing centre
• at home

You should also think about who you want to care for you during labour and birth.

How is freebirth different to home birth?

Freebirth is different to home birth.

If you have a home birth, a trained professional is there to help. Usually there will be 2 midwives present during a home birth.

To have a public funded home birth you need to meet certain criteria. You might be eligible for a home birth with a public midwife if your pregnancy is straightforward and the birth is likely to go smoothly. There are publicly funded homebirth programs in many parts of Australia.

If you don't meet the criteria for homebirth, you might be able to engage and pay a private midwife to care for you. Alternatively, you may still choose to have a freebirth.

If you choose freebirth, you plan to give birth without a trained registered midwife, nurse or doctor. You might ask other people to attend the birth such as:

• your partner
• other family members
• friends
• a support person who is not a registered medical professional - such as a doula

Doulas are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.

There's not much information available about the health outcomes of freebirth compared to home birth. In Australia the number of people opting to freebirth is small.

Woman-centred care

Australia is a safe place to have a baby. Maternity service providers follow a woman-centred care model. You have the right to make decisions about your care.

Continuity of care is when you see the same midwife or group of midwives during your pregnancy and birth.

Why might I prefer to have a freebirth?

There are a range of reasons why you may decide to have a freebirth.

Independence

You may want to be in control of their baby's birth. You might want independence from the medical way of doing things. If your preferences do not line up with the usual practice of your local hospital it can be difficult to ask for the care you want.

You may think about having a freebirth if you have clear ideas about:

• how you want to birth your baby
• who you want there to support you during your baby's birth
• what birth interventions you want

You may consider it important to:

• have a connection with the place where your child is born
• give birth on Country
• include your children and other family members

Concerns about the hospital environment

You may have had a previous traumatic or negative birth experience in hospital. You might feel your choices were not respected.

This kind of experience can mean you want to try something different for your next baby.

You may think that:

• you are safer at home than in hospital
• you won't be emotionally safe at hospital
• you won't be treated as an individual in a hospital
• the hospital system is too rigid and freebirth will be more flexible

Preference for natural birth

You may believe in your body's ability to give birth and think of giving birth as a natural process. Perhaps you just want to focus on your body and your baby during labour and birth.

People who prefer natural birth want to avoid medical interruptions.

What are the limitations of freebirth?

During a homebirth, or in hospital, labour complications can be diagnosed by your midwife or doctor. If you have a freebirth, any complications may go undetected. Even if your pregnancy was straightforward, problems can still occur.

If you have a birth attendant or doula they can provide emotional and physical support during the birth. However, they are not fully trained to provide clinical advice or care.

A support person who is not a medical professional also won't be able to respond to a medical emergency.

There are more staff and resources available at hospital or during a planned homebirth than if you freebirth. These will be useful if you need:

• more options for pain relief during labour
• an assisted delivery with forceps or ventouse
• a caesarean section
• help after a stillbirth

If you decide on a freebirth, plan what you will do in an emergency. You might think about how to get to the hospital and who will go with you.

Freebirth can increase the chance of health problems for both you and your baby.

The pregnant parent

Some possible risks to the pregnant woman during labour and birth are:

• abnormal bleeding, before, during or after birth
• undiagnosed health problems, such as high blood pressure
• slow progress in labour
• retained placenta
• significant damage to your perineum or your pelvic floor
• infection

Your baby

Some possible problems for your baby that may go unnoticed in a freebirth are:

• abnormal presentation, such as if your baby is in a breech position
• prematurity or low birth weight
• cord problems
• abnormal heart rate
• infection

How can I make my freebirth as safe as possible?

If you want to have a freebirth, do as much research as you can. Speak with maternity care providers and your doctor about your individual health and your pregnancy. Then, weigh up what is right for you and your baby.

The most common emergency situations happen if you lose too much blood or if your baby doesn't start breathing.

If this is your first baby, you're more likely to need a transfer to hospital than if you've given birth before.

You should prepare an emergency management plan, especially if you live remotely or regionally. This is very important in case you or your baby need to go to hospital. You can:

• make sure you have transport available
• contact a hospital before the birth
• book into your local hospital as a backup option

Take birthing or antenatal classes. These classes help you prepare for having your baby. They also give you the chance to ask questions.

Be organised in the preparation and set-up for where you will have your baby. Your birthing place should be sterile and safe. You can ask a healthcare professional for advice on what you will need.

Consider hiring a doula to help you during labour. Doulas don't have medical qualifications, although most have undergone training in birth support.

What happens after a freebirth

After a freebirth, you and your new baby can start to get to know each other straightaway. Decide on a name for your baby.

You may need to see a medical practitioner, such as or local doctor or a doctor at the hospital to get proof of birth papers signed. Register your baby with the department of births, deaths and marriages in your state or territory within 60 days. Add your baby to Medicare too.

Your placenta

You can decide what you want to happen to your placenta. A placenta is human tissue and needs to be disposed of appropriately. You may choose to bury, eat or encapsulate the placenta.

Ask a midwife or check with your local council what the rules are in your area.

What are the costs of giving birth at home?

It can be difficult to find affordable private midwives for a homebirth. A private midwife can cost more than a birth attendant or doula because they must pay for their Professional Indemnity Insurance.

The cost of a doula or private midwife is not fully covered by Medicare. If you have private health insurance, speak to your provider to see if the cost of a home birth or freebirth is covered.

Ask your midwife or doula to explain their fees.

You can also consider getting ambulance insurance.

Resources and support

To find out more about freebirth, visit these organisations:

• Homebirth Australia for a directory of homebirth providers and information about giving birth at home
• Midwives Australia for information on maternity services in Australia

Learn what to expect when you have a newborn baby.