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Health practitioners are calling for a nationwide ban preventing doulas from providing clinical care after "several recent tragedies linked to freebirth", including the death of a Melbourne influencer. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Australian College of Midwives released a joint statement today calling for Health Minister Mark Butler to work with the states and territories to crack down on freebirths. Freebirths are births without a registered healthcare professional - such as an obstetrician, gynaecologist, doctor, or midwife - present and are typically done at home. READ MORE: This mayoral race has captured the attention of millions worldwide Individuals sometimes opt to have a doula present for physical and emotional support. The peak medical bodies want all states and territories to adopt South Australian law, which expressly restricts anyone who is not a registered midwife or medical practitioner from providing clinical care to a person during the stages of labour, childbirth and placenta removal. Under this model, doulas who breach the rules would face up to $30,0000 in fines or be jailed for up to 12 months for undertaking care by managing any of those stages. The Australian College of Midwives warned that birthing without a registered health practitioner could lead to preventable deaths, which is "distressing" for professionals. "Every woman has the legal and ethical right to make informed decisions about their labour and birth care, however birthing without a regulated health practitioner, such as a midwife or doctor, can lead to preventable death," a spokesperson said. "Every death is a tragedy, and it is distressing for all health professionals to bear witness to this." The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists President Dr Nisha Khot said while an individual's choice is important, it must "operate within frameworks that ensure safety, quality and accountability". READ MORE: Three in four Aussies share the same fear - and it could cost them hundreds The medical bodies believe harmonising national legislation will boost the safety and confidence in births. Australian influencer and doula Emily Lal, known online as "The Authentic Birthkeeper", was recently banned from promoting her views and providing advice after breaching the health code of conduct. Victoria's Health Complaints Commissioner Bernice Redley alleged Lal "facilitated and/or participated in home births which may put both mothers and babies at risk". "I want to remind all Victorians that anyone providing health services must do so safely, ethically and within the limits of their training and qualifications," she said late last month. Lal's social media profiles were later taken down. The investigation into her began on October 8, over a week after Melbourne influencer Stacey Hatfield suffered a postpartum haemorrhage after giving birth to a healthy baby boy, Axel, at home. She was rushed to hospital, but died. READ MORE: Voters deserting Liberals as support for One Nation surges "It was her life's biggest dream to be a mum. She did it. On her terms, exactly the way she always dreamed of doing it," her husband Nathan Warnecke said in a social media post. Hatfield, known online as Natural Spoonfuls, gained thousands of followers by promoting a toxin-free lifestyle and natural recipes. The Herald Sun has reported Lal was the doula for Hatfield during her freebirth. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
