The pandemic is prompting some Australian pregnant women to give birth at home without a midwife or registered health provider, according to a survey out this week.

Another new survey helps explain why.

The number of women who say they have either had or were thinking about ‘freebirthing‘ is concerning, due to the increased risk to mothers and babies when unrecognised complications arise or emergencies occur.

So we need to support women to choose where they give birth, or they may be forced to choose this riskier option.