The Birth Keepers: Building an empire – episode four

In this episode of The Guardian Investigates, titled 'Growing an Empire', hosts Shirin Kale and Lucy Osborne delve into the journey of the Free Birth Society (FBS), founded by Emily Saldea and Yolanda Norris-Clark. The episode reveals how the organization gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, attracting women who felt isolated and sought community online. The FBS grew into a multi-faceted business, offering a range of paid services including a membership network, online courses, and retreats, all under the guise of empowering women in childbirth.

A focus is placed on the radical birth keeper school established by Emily and Yolanda, which provided a path for women to become unlicensed midwives after only a three-month course. This approach raised alarms as students reported inadequate training on handling birth emergencies and complications. Experts reviewed FBS training materials and identified dangerous misinformation regarding childbirth, including the dismissal of potential complications as mere variations of normal.

The episode recounts the story of Keely Sullivan, a former student who faced a crisis during her first attended birth, leading to an unexpected transfer to the hospital. As the business flourished, Emily's lifestyle expanded, including purchasing property for retreats, while concerns about the actual birth experiences of FBS members began to emerge. A tragic event involving a mother who did not receive adequate help during a critical moment during labor catalyzed a backlash, questioning the community's normalization of death and suffering in childbirth.

Ultimately, the episode raises ethical questions about the implications and responsibilities of promoting unlicensed midwifery practices amidst a framework that some describe as cult-like. As FBS continues to operate, calls for accountability and transparency become increasingly urgent.