The Birth Keepers: Journey Moon – episode three

In this episode of 'The Birth Keepers,' hosts Shirin Kala and Lucy Osborne continue to unravel the story of Lauren and Chris, a couple who turned to free birthing for their first child. They depict Lauren's initial excitement about natural childbirth, spurred by the Free Birth Society's (FBS) promises of empowering birth stories. However, after feeling uncomfortable with her traditional doctor's practices, they seek the guidance of the FBS, leaning into a community that often discourages medical intervention.

As Lauren’s labor progresses—spanning over several days—her experience turns painful and complicated, marked by alarming signs of potential distress for the baby, including meconium. Despite her growing intuition that something is wrong, she is repeatedly reassured by Emily Saldaya from the FBS that her experience is normal. This ongoing reassurance leads to tragic consequences, culminating in the heartbreaking stillbirth of their daughter, Journey Moon.

The episode sheds light on the dangerous dynamics within the FBS community, where advice often contradicts medical guidance, and highlights the emotional turmoil of Lauren post-loss. Following the incident, the episode comments on the reaction from both the followers of the FBS and the pushback from those critiquing the movement. While Lauren receives messages of hate and blame for her choices, Emily appears to distance herself from accountability, highlighting a troubling trend of disconnection in the free birth movement that values ideology over individual safety.