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The women having ‘extreme births’

By Photograph by Rex Features on Thursday 10 May 2007

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Pregnant woman

WOULD YOU CONSIDER giving birth without a doctor, midwife or even your partner close by? In the unlikely event that that answer to that question is yes, you could be joining a growing group of women choosing to ‘freebirth’.

Freebirthing involves giving birth alone, without a doctor, midwife, partner or even supportive friend on hand to calm your nerves and administer much-needed pain relief. Although the approach is rare in the UK, there is a growing community of freebirthers in the US, who are celebrating ‘the primary of autonomous birth’.

American author Laura Shanley runs a website, Bornfree, for interested women and says she has more than 1,000 members worldwide. A veteran of five unassisted births, she told The Guardian’s women’s page that ‘women are the true experts of birth’ and went on: ‘Birth is sexual and spiritual, magical and miraculous, but not when it’s managed, controlled and manipulated by the medical establishment.’

Shanley says she has had inquiries from ‘a couple of dozen’ British mothers who want to go it alone. One Essex woman, 24-year-old Sarah, chose to freebirth her first child, now two, at home with her partner in the next room. ‘I didn’t have any experience of pain,’ she said. ‘There was just this really strong sensation that muscles were working. Then the baby’s head appeared.’ She said she chose the method because ‘giving birth is as personal as having sex. You don’t want someone else sitting there watching you.’ (10 May 2007)

Related links

Click here to visit Laura Shanley’s website Bornfree.

Thursday 10 May 2007

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Both my hospital births were over-managed by the medical staff and were I still having babies I would freebirth every last one of them. I only wish I had had more inner strength 22 years ago and really held to my wants, not given in. A helpful partner would have made a difference as well-that came a year later and he is still here.

May I say to all women who want to be in charge of their experience-read as much as you can and keep your plans to yourselves. Good luck; may the forces of birth be your guides. Follow your instincts-you are the best one to decide what you should or should not do. Blessings.
Comment by Lynda M Otvos on December 26 18:36

I have two children. My second birth was an unassisted homebirth. While it is true that a tiny minority of families opts for UC, I don't see it as "extreme birthing". My experience was normal and spectacular at the same time, and there was nothing extreme about it.
Comment by Olivia on October 29 20:15