Newborn Dies After Mom’s ‘Planned Freebirth’ in Birthing Pool She Rented from Influencer

Newborn Dies After Mom’s ‘Freebirth’ in Birthing Pool from Influencer

In a tragic incident, a newborn baby, known as “Baby E”, lost her life in December 2022 after her mother underwent a ‘freebirth’ in a birthing pool. This distressing event has come to light following a recent investigation in Australia, revealing that the infant’s death could have been prevented.

The mother, identified only as Ms. E, decided to pursue a ‘planned freebirth’ when she was 41 years old and pregnant with Baby E in March 2022. Her pregnancy was described as smooth, and she only visited a doctor once at 36 weeks to check on the baby’s condition. Despite indications for further tests, Ms. E declined additional medical assistance.

As her due date approached, Ms. E obtained a birthing pool from social media influencer Emily Lal, who operates the “The Authentic Birthkeeper” Instagram page. While Ms. E maintained social contact with Lal, she did not seek additional guidance or services from the influencer regarding her birthing plans.

On the morning of December 27, Ms. E began experiencing contractions and spent an entire day and night in the birthing pool. The following day, after renewing the water in the pool, she successfully delivered Baby E around 10:30 p.m. However, complications arose when the umbilical cord was not cut, and attempts to deliver the placenta were unsuccessful the next morning.

Tragically, the parents discovered something amiss with Baby E’s health the following day. Despite efforts to revive the newborn, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The autopsy later revealed the primary cause of death as neonatal pneumonia, meconium aspiration, and chorioamnionitis, primarily attributed to the prolonged labour in the home birthing pool.

Forensic examination highlighted that the baby had inhaled meconium, the newborn’s first fecal matter, resulting in serious respiratory issues. The presence of Rhizobium radiobacter in the infant’s lung was linked to the plastic birthing pool. Pathologists affirmed that if the birth had taken place in a hospital with proper antenatal care, Baby E’s death would likely have been averted.

Coroner Catherine Fitzgerald emphasised the significance of trained medical assistance during childbirth, stating that the baby’s death could have been prevented had a midwife intervened. She recommended updates to the Department of Health guidelines on water births to enhance information accessibility for medical practitioners and prospective parents.

Water births have gained popularity as a natural birthing method, but associated risks, such as infection, respiratory distress, and mortality, underscore the importance of professional supervision. Planned home births, like the one in this tragic case, carry higher risks compared to hospital births and emphasise the necessity of certified birth attendants.

The investigation’s purpose was to establish facts and not assign blame, highlighting the need to promote informed birthing choices and enhance safety measures for expectant parents. This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the critical role of medical support during childbirth to safeguard the health and well-being of both mother and child.

In a difficult moment like this, it is essential to raise awareness about the importance of seeking professional medical care and guidance during pregnancy and childbirth. Tragic events like the loss of Baby E underscore the need for comprehensive support and supervision to ensure safe deliveries and healthy outcomes for all families.