Freebirth Ends in Disaster for Young Family

A recent tragedy in Melbourne has raised serious concerns about the safety of freebirth without medical assistance. This term refers to giving birth at home without the presence or guidance of trained medical professionals. While some families see it as a natural alternative to hospital births, this practice can carry life-threatening risks, as seen in the case of a newborn girl who passed away shortly after birth in late 2022.

What Happened

The baby, referred to as Baby E, was born at home in a rented birthing pool. Her mother, Ms E, had avoided regular medical care throughout her pregnancy, seeing a general practitioner only once at 36 weeks. The birthing pool used during the delivery was rented from Emily Lal, a social media influencer known for promoting unassisted home births through her Instagram platform.

Tragically, Baby E died the next morning due to complications that might have been avoided with professional care.

Who Is Emily Lal ?

Emily Lal is not a registered healthcare provider. She is a Melbourne-based influencer who strongly promotes freebirth without medical assistance on her social media page, where she shares her personal views on childbirth. She also rents out birthing equipment, including pools, to expecting mothers. While her platform includes disclaimers stating she offers no medical advice, her content often criticises hospital births and trained midwives.
Ms Lal has publicly stated her distrust of the medical system and her belief that many healthcare professionals contribute to what she sees as harm to birthing women.

Medical Findings and Cause of Death

A formal autopsy found that Baby E died from a combination of neonatal pneumonia, meconium aspiration, and chorioamnionitis—a condition linked to prolonged labour and infection. These are well-documented risks in unmonitored home births, especially when labor continues for too long or sterile conditions are not maintained.

According to forensic pathologist Dr. Yeliena Baber, if Baby E had been born in a hospital, she would have had access to emergency care, including resuscitation and infection control. These interventions could have significantly improved her chances of survival.

The Role of the Birthing Pool and Home Setting

The coroner overseeing the case concluded that the prolonged use of the birthing pool during labor contributed to the baby’s death. The home setting, without midwife supervision or medical intervention, delayed critical support that might have saved Baby E.
The coroner emphasised that the death was likely preventable if the birth had occurred in a hospital or had been managed by certified midwives in a planned homebirth setting.

Were Any Legal Actions Taken?

No legal responsibility was assigned to either the parents or Emily Lal. The mother, Ms E, confirmed that she did not receive direct medical advice from Lal, aside from renting the pool and staying in casual contact.
Ms Lal maintains that her goal is to share her own opinions, not to convince others or act as a healthcare provider.

Official Warnings on Freebirth

Health authorities such as Safer Care Victoria (SCV) have expressed growing concern about the increase in freebirths without medical assistance. SCV urges families to seek care from AHPRA-registered professionals, doctors, nurses, and midwives who are trained to handle emergencies and ensure safe outcomes for both mother and baby.
SCV warns that while some unassisted home births go smoothly, others have resulted in serious harm or even death. Complications like heavy bleeding, infection, or breathing difficulties in the baby can occur without warning and without medical professionals present; those situations can turn fatal quickly.

Conclusion

While childbirth is a deeply personal experience, this tragic case highlights the very real dangers of freebirth without medical assistance. Every expecting parent deserves to feel empowered and informed, but that empowerment should be grounded in safe, evidence-based care.

Professional support during pregnancy and labor can mean the difference between life and death. When it comes to welcoming a new life into the world, it’s essential to have the right help on hand.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.