Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne
The Guardian
November 22, 2025
Summary:
A year-long investigation reveals how the Free Birth Society (FBS), founded by Emilee Saldaya and Yolande Norris-Clark, promoted an extreme version of unassisted childbirth that has been linked to multiple infant deaths and serious injuries worldwide.
FBS generated over $13 million since 2018 through podcasts, courses, and online communities promoting "freebirth" without medical support, anti-ultrasound messaging, and "wild pregnancy" without prenatal care.
The investigation documented 18 confirmed cases of late-term stillbirths, neonatal deaths, or serious harm where FBS influence played a significant role, plus 30 additional cases across multiple countries.
The organization trained over 850 "Radical Birth Keepers" through $6,000-$12,000 online courses despite having no legitimate midwifery credentials. In August 2025, Saldaya herself experienced a stillbirth at 41 weeks following a "wild pregnancy" without prenatal care.
Quotes:
"Nobody joins a cult willingly. You think you're joining a great movement." - Gabrielle Lopez, whose son Esau suffered permanent brain damage during a freebirth
"For some women, giving birth to a severely compromised baby at home and allowing that baby to die with dignity in the arms of their family who love them is a reasonable outcome." - Saldaya to students
"I don't care if you freebirth. I don't encourage strangers on the internet to do anything at all." - Saldaya's response to criticism
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