The tragic death of a newborn in Australia has once again highlighted the dangers associated with unassisted home births and the growing trend of relying on social media influencers for birth-related products and advice. In December 2022, a healthy baby lost her life after being born at home using a birthing pool rented from Emily Lal, a well-known Instagram influencer who markets herself as “The Authentic Birthkeeper.” This heartbreaking incident has raised serious questions about the safety of home births without proper medical supervision and the influence of online birth culture on vulnerable expectant mothers.
The Incident: A Home Birth with Fatal Consequences
The case involved a mother, identified only as Ms. E, who chose to give birth at home using a birthing pool rented from Emily Lal. Lal is an influencer who promotes natural birthing methods and expresses skepticism towards the traditional medical system. According to reports from The New York Post and official investigations, Ms. E gave birth in her home but struggled to deliver the placenta until the next morning. This prolonged labor led to severe complications for the newborn.
After the birth, Ms. E sent a message to Emily Lal saying, “I did it,” and planned to have a postpartum visit with her. However, the situation quickly deteriorated. The following morning, Ms. E sent a desperate message to Lal at 8 a.m. explaining that her baby was unresponsive and appeared blue-faced, unsure if she was breathing.
Emily Lal did not see the message for 25 minutes. When Lal finally responded with a FaceTime call and recognized the severity of the situation, she advised the parents to call an ambulance. Paramedics attempted CPR for 30 minutes but could not revive the infant.
The forensic pathologist, Dr. Yeliena Baber, concluded that the baby’s death was caused by prolonged delivery in the home birthing pool, a situation that could have been avoided if the birth had taken place in a hospital or had been supervised by a trained midwife. Dr. Baber emphasized that proper antenatal care and immediate medical intervention during labor would likely have prevented this tragic outcome.
The Risks of Unassisted Home Births and Birthing Pools
The rise in popularity of home births, especially unassisted or “freebirths,” has alarmed many healthcare professionals. A freebirth is defined as giving birth without medical or midwifery assistance, a practice that is often promoted by certain online communities and influencers who distrust medical institutions. The use of birthing pools has also become a trend for those seeking a natural, less clinical birthing experience.
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However, these practices carry significant risks if not properly supervised. Birthing pools can be safe under the care of trained midwives who monitor both mother and baby’s health throughout labor. But when a birth happens without professional support, complications such as prolonged labor, oxygen deprivation to the baby, and difficulty delivering the placenta can become life-threatening.
The case of Ms. E illustrates these dangers. Without a midwife present to monitor signs of fetal distress and make timely decisions, the prolonged labor in the pool led to fatal consequences. The coroner’s report clearly differentiates between homebirths attended by professionals and freebirths with no medical assistance.
It points out that available information about water births does not support births at home without professional care or antenatal management. A single consultation with Ms. E’s general practitioner late in pregnancy was insufficient for educating her on birth options and potential risks, leaving her vulnerable to misinformation.
The Influence of Social Media on Birth Choices
Emily Lal, the influencer involved in this case, markets herself as “The Authentic Birthkeeper” and has a significant following on platforms like Instagram, where she promotes natural birthing methods and expresses skepticism toward conventional medical care. She rents out home birthing pools and offers advice that appeals to expectant mothers seeking empowerment and a more “authentic” birth experience.
While influencers can provide community and support for pregnant women, their role becomes dangerous when medical advice or equipment is provided without proper qualifications or oversight. Ms. E’s reliance on a birthing pool rented from Emily Lal, rather than seeking hospital care or a trained midwife, demonstrates the powerful impact social media has on birth choices — sometimes with devastating consequences.
The case also highlights how vulnerable mothers can be influenced by idealized portrayals of home births and natural delivery on social media, often without full awareness of the risks involved. The gap in professional guidance and education about birth options, particularly for women considering home births, can lead to tragic outcomes like this one.
The death of Baby E after a home birth using a rented birthing pool serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of professional medical care during childbirth. While home births can be safe under proper supervision, unassisted births and reliance on social media influencers instead of qualified healthcare providers can have fatal consequences.
This tragedy underlines the critical need for comprehensive antenatal education and accessible medical support for all mothers, ensuring that their choices are informed and safe.
Expectant mothers should be encouraged to discuss all birth options thoroughly with qualified medical professionals and be wary of unverified advice and products promoted on social media. The ultimate goal must be the safety and well-being of both mother and child. As this case painfully shows, the cost of neglecting that can be irreversible.