Tragedy as twin babies die after Byron Bay 'wild birth' goes horribly wrong
- A pair of twins died last week
- Their parents had a 'wild birth'
- They had no medical assistance through the entire pregnancy
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A pair of twins died during a 'wild birth' in Byron Bay in an incident medical experts believe was 'completely avoidable'.
The first baby was stillborn and the second died after being taken to The Tweed Hospital, in northern NSW.
Police attended the scene following the births and have launched an investigation. No charges have been laid.
The twins were born premature but were over 23 weeks, a gestation period considered viable.
Their parents received no medical assistance during pregnancy or birth, including ultrasounds or heartbeat checks, as part of a pregnancy trend called 'wild birthing'.
A pair of twins died during a 'wild birth', which sees parents completely forego medical assistance during pregnancy and birth, in Byron Bay last week
It's understood the couple did not know they were having twins.
A medical source told the Daily Telegraph the babies' deaths were 'avoidable'.
'At least the second was born viable. If it was born in hospital, it had a chance. That child had rights,' they said.
Wild births, also known as free births, are rising in popularity among Byron Bay locals - a region that has traditionally had a high rate of home births.
An Australian Facebook group for parents considering a wild birth described itself as a 'space is for women who align with unassisted pregnancy, birth and postpartum'.
'Assistance talk is very minimal and you are supported in birthing on your terms,' it states.
Some wild birth followers believe medical assistance during pregnancy, including ultrasounds, can hurt babies.
Home births are usually attended by a midwife.
A police source described the twins' deaths as 'tragic because it was avoidable'.
Australia is one of the safest places in the world to give birth however, planned at-home births almost double the risk of serious issues for the baby from five in 1,000 for a hospital birth to nine in 1,000.
Home births, which are popular in Byron Bay, almost double the risk of serious issues for the baby from five in 1,000 for a hospital birth to nine in 1,000
Due to the popularity of home births in the region, the NSW Local Health District provides a home birth service to 'support the choice of planned, midwife-attended home birth as a safe choice for women with uncomplicated pregnancies'.
The Northern NSW Local Health District facilitated 23 planned home birth in 2023.
Lismore paediatrician Dr Chris Ingall believes home births would be less popular if parents were properly informed of its risks.
'I'm pro-women's choice but that relies on being well informed,' he said.
'Based on my own experiences, when a baby is in special care after something goes wrong, I ask "do you think you were informed that this was a likely outcome?" and they always say no.
'I do not think they are getting good information about that choice and how it may impact the baby.'
However, Byron Bay-based birth educator Maha Al Musa explained many mothers turn to home births because hospital births leave them 'feeling traumatised'.
The twins' death follows that of a breech baby in nearby Nimbin who was born in February 2015.
Northern NSW paediatrician Dr Chris Ingall (pictured) believes home births would be less popular if parents were properly informed of its risks
During the coronial inquest into the baby's death, their father said if he and the mother had known the baby was in breach they would have gone to hospital.
There was no midwife or medically qualified person present during the birth.
A spokeswoman for the health district urged all expecting parents to consult with doctors early in their pregnancy and seek professional advice before opting for a home birth.
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