A coroner in Melbourne has ruled that the death of a newborn in December 2022 during a home “freebirth” was preventable. Ms E gave birth in a pool hired from influencer Emily Lal, known as “The Authentic Birthkeeper,” who promotes births without medical assistance. Months before labour, Ms E had contacted Lal but did not seek her advice during the birth.

After delivering her daughter at home, Ms E was unable to pass the placenta until the next morning, when she noticed the baby was unresponsive and turning blue. She messaged Lal, who saw it 25 minutes later, then advised calling an ambulance. Paramedics attempted 30 minutes of CPR, but the baby could not be revived.

Forensic pathologist Yeliena Baber concluded: “If Baby E was born in hospital and Ms E had received appropriate antenatal care, it is highly unlikely that Baby E would have died.” The death was linked to a prolonged delivery in the birthing pool and possible bacterial contamination.

Coroner Catherine Fitzgerald stressed the difference between a homebirth with a qualified midwife and a “freebirth” without medical support, saying such guidelines “could be of little use” in unassisted births.

No adverse findings were made against Ms E or Lal, though Lal said the process felt like punishment for the mother.