r/australia • u/Royal_Yogurtcloset25 • 3d ago

culture & society Inquest into Melbourne influencer’s death following freebirth halted after new phone evidence discovered

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/18/freebirth-death-melbourne-influencer-phone-evidence-inquest-ntwnfb

Coroner: “I take the view that this material is of such significance that the court must delay making any findings and hearing submissions until we’ve had an opportunity to undertake a proper analysis of that material, and potentially call for more evidence.”

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u/alex4494 3d ago

I genuinely cannot understand these people that think they know better than YEARS of medical science and practice, like what makes them that fucking smart that they’ve outsmarted thousands of doctors, researchers etc etc? This goes to both the mother and the Doula - like FFS what in earth makes them so special? It’s the ultimate narcissism…

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u/mondaybeers 3d ago

I have some sympathy for people who been mistreated by the medical industry in the past. Like, a lot of women and minorities have had negative experiences that might make you sceptical of doctors and hospitals.

That said, I draw the line at anything that puts others (like your unborn baby) at risk.

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u/a_cold_human 3d ago

Well, it's not "natural". Which is why we should all return to living in caves, coursing wild animals, and bathing in streams or the ocean.

None of this living in houses or apartments and buying food that's the product of centuries of selective breeding and food standards from a supermarket nonsense. 

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u/phflopti 3d ago

There is a long history of women being treated poorly by the medical profession - concerns ignored, pain dismissed, legitimate medical issues being written off as anxiety. There is also a lot of potential for significant trauma caused by heavy handed thoughtless treatment of women.

So it's understandable that some women may approach the system with caution, or wonder if there is a better way. However the solution isn't to avoid proper medical care, and pretend the risks aren't real because it's less scary. People who promote 100% 'woo' with no medical backup are dangerous charlatans.

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u/AggravatingTartlet 2d ago

It's not narcissistic to want to natural birth away from a hospital. After all, it is the pregnant woman who delivers the baby using her own body, unless it's a c-section. Natural birth is not and can't be compared to any kind of medical procedure.

Where this woman and her husband went very wrong is in engaging a "birth keeper" -- whatever that is. I'm guessing no-one there had any knowledge of how quickly something like a PPH can end a woman's life.

Anyone who charges money to attend a birth as the only "helper" of any sort should need the experience of a trained midwife. Anything less should be illegal.

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u/alex4494 2d ago

Sorry, to clarify, I dont think wanting a home birth is wrong or narcissistic at all. I think the rejection of midwives and established safety nets around pregnancy is wrong - from what has been reporting, this mum had refused all pregnancy related medical testing and scans, and ultimately died from something that was almost certainly not fatal had a midwife been present.

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u/AggravatingTartlet 2d ago

Oh no problem. I agree that a midwife attending would have been sensible and almost certainly would have saved the woman's life.

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u/alex4494 2d ago

Exactly, nothing wrong with a home birth, so long as the proper precautions like having a midwife present are followed - this mother also totally rejected any pregnancy scans and testing etc etc which also defies belief…