Medical professionals have condemned the Free Birth Society (FBS), a multimillion-dollar business promoting unassisted childbirth, for spreading dangerous misinformation. The Guardian investigation linked FBS content to infant deaths and serious maternal harm globally. Led by ex-doulas Emilee Saldaya and Yolande Norris-Clark, neither of whom have medical training, FBS operates through podcasts, Instagram, and online schools.
Experts criticised claims that sterilising cord-cutting tools is unnecessary. Norris-Clark told students she does not believe in germ theory, suggesting even an “old rusty fork” poses no infection risk. Professor Soo Downe of the University of Lancashire called this dangerous, noting that dirty instruments cause thousands of newborn sepsis deaths annually in low-income countries.
Saldaya advised that a husband or friend could remove retained placenta fragments days after birth, even with fever, rather than seeking hospital care. Home birth midwife Mary Littlefield described this as “ignorant and life-threatening”, warning that manual removal carries risks of infection, perforation, and haemorrhage.
On newborn breathing, Saldaya claimed babies can take 10–15 minutes to transition. Professor Downe stressed that resuscitation should begin within one minute, and delays beyond five minutes risk neurological damage. Norris-Clark described her son as “white, limp and lifeless” at birth but did not resuscitate, calling medical resuscitation “sabotage”. Dr Michelle Telfer of Yale noted that up to 15% of newborns need breathing assistance, which is life-saving and “brain sparing”.
FBS did not respond to requests for comment. After publication, Saldaya posted on Instagram dismissing the investigation as “propaganda” and “lies”. An FBS disclaimer states its content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for medical advice.
