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Homebirth Advocate's Baby Dies in Homebirth

A devastating decision

-Julie Ryan Evans

It's almost as ironic as it is sad. On March 27, a baby girl died of cardiac arrest during an unassisted home water birth in Australia. It is a tragic event that no parent ever should have to endure. But the mother of this infant isn't just any parent, she is one of the most outspoken advocates of homebirths. Her name is Janet Fraser, and for years she's sparked controversy in Australia, her home country, and beyond, with her disdain for many medical practices surrounding hospital births.

Homebirths in and of themselves are enough to spark the mommy wars any day, but Fraser took her passion further than most.

On the site Joyous Birth, of which she was a principal, she wrote inflammatory copy berating the medical community's birth practices. The headline of one article about episiotomies is titled, "Birthrape. Birthrape. Birthrape. Birthrape. Birthrape."

In another article blasting c-sections she stated:

"We got to this position in birth because we were all taken by surprise at how efficiently the multinational medical juggernaut overtook us and because we've always played nice and tried to not offend even the most scalpel-happy surgeons who slice and dice us on a whim."

Reports say that after several days of labor, her baby died during a water birth. It's unclear whether the baby was stillborn or died after birth. An ambulance was called, but the baby wasn't revived. Police are investigating the death.

When it comes to homebirths in general, there are plenty of studies that point to the risks, but there also plenty that point to the benefits of home births WITH midwives as well. Unfortunately, babies die at home, and babies die in hospitals.

While I personally would never even consider a homebirth, I do admire the conviction of those who support them, who are willing to raise questions and to do what they believe is best for their babies no matter the backlash or opinions of the majority. Modern medicine is wonderful, but there are so many unknowns, so much research that contradicts itself, so much illness, so many ailments and so many accidents. The answers aren't all there, and with the fierceness of a mother's love, I understand the need to question and evaluate every decision and not just accept the opinion of the majority.

The difference with Fraser--which certainly will get lost in some arguments--is that she chose to not even have a midwife present--a practice often referred to as a "freebirth." And while I believe she was radical and reckless to do so, I have no doubt that she did what she believed was right and wanted what was best for her baby--most every mother does. I do question, however, if her judgment was clouded by her need to make a statement.

Fraser has yet to release a statement, and I wonder if when she does if she will waiver in her convictions or justify them. Will she regret her decision or stand by it?

Unfortunately, as parents, despite our best intentions, our decisions aren't always the right ones. And for Fraser I ache deeply, because this decision she made so vocally and so voraciously resulted in the death of the child she was trying so hard to do right by. And forever she is going to live with that decision ... and without her daughter.

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