Unassisted or free birth is known to be increasing in some countries. Occasionally we are pointing to resources to help in personal development. Here, Dianne Garland, Freelance Midwifery Consultant, shares a recent review of a book around Freebirth from Mavis Kirkham and Nadine Edwards. If you would like to contribute a review to Maternity & Midwifery Forum please let us know!
During the Covid pandemic many women were unable to access a variety of maternity care, including birth centres, home births and waterbirths. This book starts by sharing why women choose freebirthing. Pre-covid maternity services were underfunded and had become centralised, standardised and were not offering women a physically and emotionally rewarding birth experience. This led many women to seek a different type of labour and birth, hence freebirthing.
Stories throughout the book share previous birth experiences, which many women describe as traumatic, even though in their medical records the birth is described as “normal”. Women who were seeking a freebirth often experienced negative comments from midwives and obstetricians. Many of the birth stories will be difficult for us to read.
Women wrote they wanted choice, freedom, information and birth in their own environment. Many women undertake their own preparation, purchasing birth stools, balls, TENS machine and sought out complementary therapists.
The authors continue with how to discuss freebirthing with your family, and their reactions were mixed, and in some cases, mothers called “delusional”. Women describe their journey to find the support of doulas, as in many cases mothers have been told (even by NHS midwives) that freebirthing is illegal.
The final chapters share actual births stories, some maybe uncomfortable to read, but all should be reviewed and reflected upon.
As we move toward 2026 this book will continue to be relevant in today’s difficult financial times.
Dianne Garland FRCM SRN RM ADM PGCEA MSc
Freelance Midwifery Consultant
This review was previously printed in Midwifery Today journal
Book Review: Freebirth stories- Eds. Mavis Kirkham and Nadine Edwards.
Published Birth practice and politics forum. Sheffield 2023
Further viewing
Watch Sallyann Beresford, Doula, Author and Antenatal Educator speak on a recent episode of Maternity & Midwifery Hour discussing the role of Doulas within UK Maternity Services.