Tragedy sees twin babies die after Byron Bay 'wild birth' goes horribly wrong

A pair of twins died during a 'wild birth' in Byron Bay in an incident that medical experts said was 'completely avoidable'.

The first baby was stillborn and the second died after being taken to Tweed Hospital in northern NSW.

The police arrived on the scene after the birth and started an investigation. No charges have been filed.

The twins were born prematurely, but were just over 23 weeks old, a gestation period that was considered viable.

Their parents received no medical care during pregnancy or birth, including ultrasounds or heart rate checks, as part of a pregnancy trend called “wild childbirth.”

It's clear the couple didn't know they were having twins.

A medical source told the newspaper Daily telegram the babies' deaths were “avoidable.”

'At least the second one was born viable. If it was born in the hospital, it had a chance. That child had rights,” they said.

Wild births, also known as free births, are becoming increasingly popular among locals in Byron Bay – a region that has historically had a high rate of home births.

An Australian Facebook group for parents considering wild childbirth described itself as a “space for women joining unsupported pregnancy, birth and postpartum.”

“Support calls are very minimal and you will be supported through the birth on your terms,” it says.

Some wild birth followers believe that medical care during pregnancy, including ultrasounds, can hurt babies.

Home births are usually supervised 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, but planned home births almost double the risk of serious problems for the baby, from five in a thousand for a hospital birth to nine in a thousand.

Home births, which are popular in Byron Bay, almost double the risk of serious problems for the baby, from five in a thousand for a hospital birth to nine in a thousand

Due to the popularity of home births in the region, the NSW Local Health District offers a home birth service to 'support the choice of planned midwife-assisted home birth as a safe choice for women with uncomplicated pregnancies'.

The Northern NSW Local Health District facilitated 23 planned home births in 2023.

Lismore pediatrician Dr Chris Ingall believes home births would be less popular if parents were properly informed about their risks.

“I am in favor of women's choice, but that depends on being well informed,” he said.

'Based on my own experiences, when a baby receives 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 don't think they get good information about that choice and its consequences for the baby.”

However, Byron Bay-based birth educator Maha Al Musa explained that many mothers turn to home births because they “feel traumatized” by hospital births.

The twins' deaths follow that of a breech baby born in nearby Nimbin in February 2015.

Northern NSW pediatrician Chris Ingall (pictured) believes home births would be less popular if parents were properly informed about the risks

During the coronavirus investigation into the baby's death, their father said that if he and the mother had known the baby was at fault, they would have gone to hospital.

There was no midwife or medically qualified person present during the birth.

A health district spokeswoman urged all expectant parents to consult doctors early in their pregnancy and seek professional advice before opting for a home birth.