Freebirth is just birth with Catherine Bell

Freebirth is just birth with Catherine Bell

From Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond by PBB Media Incorporated

November 5, 2025 · 20 min

About this episode

Sally speaks with Dr Catherine Bell about the implications of new legislation on women's rights in childbirth in Australia.

Sally speaks with Dr Catherine Bell, Maternity Choices Australia and Founder of The Birth Map about the South Australian legislation that the Australian College of Midwives and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have called to be enacted across the country. This legislation seeks to prohibit "unlicensed and unregulated persons from undertaking the management of labour and birth".. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G2brGjDA9/ Catherine discusses the dangers to women's rights this legislation poses (and is already happening in South Australia), especially for women who feel they have no other choice than to birth outside the system, how communication between women and their carers can be improved and the pressures the system places on women to fit within the services it wants to provide. Maternity Choices Australia has collaborated with Human Rights in Childbirth International and maternity advocacy groups from around the country to publish the following media release: https://www.maternitychoices.org.au/post/maternity-advocacy-groups-around-the-country-rally-together-to-protect-women-s-rights-in-birth Links: www.maternitychoices.org.au…

People in this episode

Host: Sally Cusack

Guest: Dr Catherine Bell

Topics covered

  • freebirth
  • maternity rights
  • legislation
  • women's health
  • birth choices
  • advocacy

Keywords

  • freebirth
  • maternity choices
  • legislation
  • women's rights
  • birth system
  • advocacy groups

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Maternity Choices Australia, The Birth Map, Australian College of Midwives, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Human Rights in Childbirth International, PBB Media

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