Stacey Hatfield, a popular Australian wellness influencer, died last year due to severe postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth without medical assistance. Her death has raised questions about the safety of the free birth movement, which advocates for unassisted childbirth.
The free birth movement claims that childbirth is inherently safe because it’s a natural process. However, experts say that this is not true. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, hospitals and accredited birth centers are the safest settings for birth, and even planned home births carry significant risks.
In fact, research shows that freebirth increases the risk of complications, including postpartum hemorrhage, which was the cause of Hatfield’s death. The movement downplays these risks and advises women to avoid antenatal checks, despite having no medical qualifications to support their claims.
The free birth movement originated in the 1950s as a countercultural response to the medicalization of childbirth. However, its message has been misinterpreted by some women who seek autonomy during childbirth. While this desire for autonomy is valid, it’s not necessarily true that removing professional care makes birth safer.
In fact, studies have shown that midwife-attended home births are safe when done in settings with well-integrated midwives into the healthcare system. However, freebirth removes this safety net altogether, putting women at risk of serious complications.
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/true-or-not/2026/06/23/quickcheck-is-039freebirth039-safe-because-childbirth-is-a-natural-process