Unassisted births dangerous, doctors warn

Last Updated: Thursday, June 21, 2007 | 5:19 PM ET

CBC News

Freebirthing — do-it-yourself delivery — is sparking debate among some women and doctors, midwives and nurses who caution it's a dangerous approach.

Having a qualified person on-hand is intregal to a safe birth, says Dr. Guylaine Lefebvre.
(CBC)

Some websites promoting unassisted births as an authentic and natural approach report tens of thousands of hits a day. Devotees in Canada seem to number in the hundreds.

"Each birth was a wonderful experience, there were no problems," said Mary Siever of Lethbridge, Alta., who gave birth to Sinéad, Regan and Aisling, aged eight, six and 21 months, at home with her husband and without professional attendants. "It was very intimate."

Siever, a childbirth educator, saw a doctor a few times during her pregnancy, and said she wanted to take control of the natural process of birthing at home.

Unassisted birth does not mean a woman eschews all forms of assistance if it is needed, said Siever, who said she realized pain did not have to be a barrier to having a wonderful birth. Generally, there is enough notice to get help if needed, she said.

Siever is "tragically misinformed" about how quickly complications can arise in obstetrics, said Dr. Guylaine Lefebvre, president-elect of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

"Often having the right person there to look after an emergency will make the difference between life and death or a compromised baby," Lefebvre said.

On Thursday, the society warned that giving birth alone is unsafe, since up to 15 per cent of all births involve potentially fatal complications. For example, a woman can hemorrhage a litre of blood every four minutes, while fetal distress could also become an emergency.

Complications can be fatal

Worldwide, more than 500,000 women die each year from complications during childbirth, mainly in the least developed countries, where women have limited or no access to skilled attendants. In comparison, training and technology have helped Canada achieve a maternal mortality rate of six per 100,000.

Jodie Boychuck said her unassisted birth was an authetic, joyful experience.

The society is promoting a national strategy to improve access to care so women in rural areas also have the option of delivery at home with regulated midwives, or as close to home as possible.

Jodie Boychuck gave birth to her second child at home unassisted after having a difficult recovery following a caesarean section with her first daughter.

Boychuck, of Dunnville, Ont., about 45 kilometres from Niagara Falls, said her unassisted birth was "pure joy." She dismissed the society's stance as fear- mongering, and is planning to give birth to her third child alone as well.