Doula Network Australia responds to RANZCOG and ACM “Call on Health Ministers to End Freebirth Deaths”

FULL MEDIA STATEMENT

5 November 2025

The Doula Network Australia (DNA) acknowledges the recent joint statement by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the Australian College of Midwives (ACM), calling for state and territory health ministers to enact legislation that “ends freebirth deaths” and restricts labour and birth management to registered health practitioners.

As a national professional association representing birth & postpartum doulas, DNA is deeply committed to the safety, dignity and informed autonomy of pregnant women and their families. We welcome open discussion about safety, but we believe targeting doulas is a distraction from the very real and systemic harm being caused by an overstretched and under-resourced health system. Authorities would do better to focus on improving outcomes within the system, rather than placing blame on non-clinical support workers or the women they serve.

DNA’s Position

Respect for informed choice and doula support
Doulas are non-clinical professionals who provide physical, emotional and informational support before, during and after birth. Their role is not to replace clinical care, but to complement it. DNA members strongly advocate for birth plans that include appropriate clinical back-up and informed decision-making.

While we are deeply concerned about preventable harm in any setting, it remains every woman’s right to decide whether or not to involve clinicians in her care. Freebirthing — giving birth without a registered health practitioner present — is not illegal in Australia, and women should not be criminalised for exercising bodily autonomy or for seeking alternative pathways when the system has failed them.

Addressing the real reasons behind freebirth
To meaningfully reduce risk, we must address why some women choose to freebirth. The primary reasons include lack of access to quality maternity care, previous birth trauma, disrespectful or coercive experiences in hospital settings, and the desire for safety and autonomy. These are not fringe concerns — they reflect growing systemic gaps in how maternity services respond to women’s needs.

Doula support can play a crucial role in rebuilding trust, helping families navigate their options, and bridging communication with clinicians when appropriate. But doulas must never be scapegoated for failings that lie within the system itself.

Preventable harm exists within the medical system too
DNA emphasises that while the recent tragedies linked to unassisted births are heartbreaking, preventable harm also occurs within the medical system — through obstetric violence, inadequate staffing, restricted birth options, and system failures. True safety cannot be achieved through regulation alone; it requires compassionate, evidence-based care that respects women’s voices and choices.

Acknowledging scope
Doulas provide support, not clinical management. While RANZCOG and ACM propose legislation restricting birth management to medically registered personnel, DNA urges policymakers to clearly distinguish between clinical care and support roles. Doulas should not be captured within frameworks intended for clinical regulation.

Call for cooperation
DNA stands ready to participate in meaningful policy discussions that centre women’s lived experiences. We call on RANZCOG, ACM, health departments, and consumer groups to work cooperatively to:

• Address workforce shortages and inequities that push women out of the system.
• Develop trauma-informed maternity care and accountability for harm within hospitals.
• Ensure all women have access to safer, respectful, and culturally appropriate care, wherever they choose to birth.
• Provide public education that distinguishes between planned home births (with registered professionals) and unassisted births — without stigma or fear.

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“Every woman deserves safer, respectful and informed care — and doulas can play a vital role in that journey,” said Samantha Gunn, President of the Doula Network Australia. “We share the concern about preventable harm, but the solution lies in addressing the systemic issues driving women away from mainstream maternity care — not in vilifying those seeking to support them.”

About Doula Network Australia

The Doula Network Australia (DNA) is a national membership organisation for birth and postpartum doulas. Our mission is to support the professional development of doulas, promote ethical and evidence-informed practice, and advocate for high-quality, woman-centred care for birthing families across Australia.

Contact: Samantha Gunn — President, Doula Network Australia | 0409 161 262 | [email protected]

 This media release was updated on 3rd December 2025.