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Health authorities have flagged a crackdown on doulas and other unregulated birth workers after a series of high-profile deaths of Australian mothers and babies. As peak medical groups demand regulation of the role of doulas, the national health watchdog confirmed its nursing and midwifery board was considering what safety measures it could introduce to prevent dangerous freebirths. While home births are attended by registered midwives and generally considered safe for low-risk pregnancies, freebirth, or unassisted childbirth, typically takes place without any registered medical or midwifery professionals. “[The board] is aware of concerns around unregulated birth workers, including doulas, and is considering the role of regulators and other agencies in this emerging area of risk,” said a spokesman from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Victorian Coroner’s Court statistics show that between 2015 and August 20, 2025, six babies died following freebirth, four died following planned home births with medical staff present, two died after planned home births at which medical staff were unable to attend and 15 died by unplanned home births (often due to premature arrivals).
