Unassisted Childbirth Statistics

**fai firinne** · 06-11-2008 07:48

Here are some statistics (small sample group, only 200-odd) for those genuinely curious to know about some freebirthing stats (as opposed to those specifically seeking an example of a baby being harmed at an unassisted birth.)

The c/s rate for midwife-attended hb in Victoria is 4%. (Pretty good compared to the average 40% c/s rate generally.) In this small collection of freebirth stats so far, the c/s rate is 1% (2 women out of 200). The infant mortality so far is 0%.

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/stats.html

Perhaps some of our Aussie freebirthers could add their data? Just email them:
Quote:
"If anyone has had an unassisted birth and would like to fill out
my survey, please email me at childbirth@unhinderedliving.com

Here's an interesting snippet from another article:

http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/unassisted-childbirth

This movement is growing in the United States. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 7,000 babies were born unassisted in 2004.

I would be interested to know about the outcomes of those 7000 births. The article then goes on to say how dangerous UC is.

**evesmum** · 06-11-2008 08:26

lovely Julie

I too would love to see the outcomes of those 7000 unhundered births . They must certainly have ended with some sort of emergency or death considering it was concluded to be sooooo dangerous

AM · 06-11-2008 08:47

O that is interesting! Thanks!

Mind you, I've got to say that you are far more likely to get the good outcomes reported voluntarily than the poor ones (I can't believe I'm bringing this up) but it really does have to be a major flaw in voluntary reporting as opposed to routine reporting IYKWIM?

So yeah, interesting, but not that useful statistically unfortunately.

Haha me who hates 'routine' anything pretty much, on the side of routine unbiased statistics!

**MelissafromSyd** · 06-11-2008 21:16

Originally Posted by AM

Mind you, I've got to say that you are far more likely to get the good outcomes reported voluntarily than the poor ones (I can't believe I'm bringing this up) but it really does have to be a major flaw in voluntary reporting as opposed to routine reporting IYKWIM?

Gotta agree with that one - the stats are only useful if they're all reported, not just the good outcomes. I would have been a straight A student if the teacher had only marked the tests where I got all the answers right

**Freya** · 06-11-2008 21:23

I agree AM.

It is interesting to see that though, thanks for sharing!

**PunkyDiva** · 06-11-2008 21:32

I was advised not to discuss my UC and lie if I had to transfer to hospital.
We didn't follow that advice and I do regret it now so agree there may be more UC complications out there that just aren't owning up to it for fear of persecution or worse given over to the mercy of DOCS.

I could not offer support for anyone contemplating UC as our experience taught us the true value of a Midwife.

Sorta offtrack but made me cross...I just heard a story from a Midwife about a woman who had planned a Homebirth. At 32 weeks she went into labour. Her Midwife rang our local hospital and she was refused admission

three hospitals later she was finally admitted. Not sure why or how this can occur and I am reliably informed it is not the first time this has occurred.

**fai firinne** · 06-11-2008 21:32

I tried to look into those 7000 births on the USA site, got totally bamboozled. Blimmin beaurocracy. KWYM about the voluntary reporting versus routine reporting. That's why I wanted to see the outcomes of those 7000 births. If you want to have a go, go for it and let us know what you find out!

I also wonder if the 'teenager giving birth secretly in the toilets' scenario would be included in 'unassisted' stats. As opposed to planned unassisted.

There is a page on Purebirth Australia that looks like it will give some interesting info eventually - but as far as I can figure out, the template is there but no data entered yet. Does anyone know anything about that?

PD, what happened at your UC? Is your birth story on here?

AM · 07-11-2008 06:22

Originally Posted by Julie Doula

There is a page on Purebirth Australia that looks like it will give some interesting info eventually - but as far as I can figure out, the template is there but no data entered yet. Does anyone know anything about that?

I'm sure it used to have figures in there, but now it doesn't, I've been meaning to ask LS about it actually...

And yeah, it is pretty important to separate planned unassisted from accidental, they are a whole different kettle of fish!