The story of Emma Cardinal's tragic experience with a radical birthkeeping approach in Canada highlights the dangers of unskilled and unregulated birth attendants. Cardinal, a holistic practitioner, initially planned a home birth with midwives but was influenced by the Free Birth Society (FBS), a controversial organization promoting extreme free birth practices. The FBS, led by influential figures like Yolande Norris-Clark, has been linked to numerous cases of serious harm, including stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Despite its controversial nature, FBS has generated significant revenue, with its Instagram account and podcast reaching millions of downloads. Norris-Clark's extreme views, such as linking ultrasounds to autism and claiming they damage cells, alarmed Cardinal, leading her to freebirth. However, her son Floyd was stillborn, and Cardinal's health suffered due to sepsis and induced coma. She now questions the FBS's incomplete and biased information, especially regarding ultrasounds, which are safe when used appropriately. The FBS's focus on self-development and business skills in their training programs raises concerns about the competence of their 'authentic midwives'. The case of Emma Cardinal serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unregulated birth practices and the importance of evidence-based prenatal care.
