Midwifery Today Media Reviews – Issue 149 The heart and science of birth

Freebirth Stories, by Mavis Kirkham and Nadine Edwards. 2023. (Sheffield, UK: Birth Practice and Politics Forum, 443 pages, £14.99, Kindle and paperback.)

During the pandemic, many women were unable to access a variety of maternity care services, including birth centres, homebirths, and waterbirths. This book starts by sharing why women choose freebirthing. Pre-Covid, maternity services were underfunded and had become centralised, standardized, and did not offer 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 that they wanted choice, freedom, information, and birth in their own environment. Many women undertake their own preparation, purchasing birth stools, balls, TENS machine, and seeking out complementary therapists.

The authors continue with how to discuss freebirthing with your family, where reactions are 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 birth stories. Some maybe uncomfortable to read, but all should be reviewed and reflected upon.

As we move into 2024, this book will continue to be relevant in today’s difficult financial times.