There are fresh calls for laws to restrict doulas and other unqualified birth attendants after the deaths of Australian mothers and babies during freebirths. 

RANZCOG wants to make it illegal for any person who is not a registered midwife or health professional to offer clinical birthing services and clinical advice.

This includes monitoring the fetal heart rate, vaginal examinations and delivering the placenta — or when a woman should attend a hospital. 

It is suggesting that state and territory health ministers adopt laws similar to those in SA, where it is a criminal offence for anyone unqualified to provide clinical care during the three stages of labour or childbirth.