Freebirth

Freebirthing is the (proactive) decision to birth without a qualified professional present. As an undergraduate, I was keen to explore this phenomenon to explore how this decision might reflect inadequacies in our current maternity services. I carried out research in 2015, having the privilege of speaking to women who opted for this birth choice. As an underserved population, it has been of great interest to see research in this area grow since then, capturing and platforming the voices of those who opt to freebirth.

Within this page, there are links to research papers, blogs, book chapters, a guide for maternity professionals and media from my research in this area. Most of this content is free to access but do get in touch should an item be behind a paywall.

Publications

Greenfield, M and Feeley, C. Freebirth in Home Birth 1st Edition. Eds Anna Madeley. Elsevier. Upcoming 2023.

Greenfield, M and Feeley, C. Freebirth in Home Birth 1st Edition. Eds Anna Madeley. Elsevier. Upcoming 2023.

Feeley, C. & Thomson, G. (2020) Understanding women’s motivations and experiences of freebirthing in the UK in Birthing outside the System: The Canary in the Coalmine. Eds. Dahlen, H., Schmied., V., Kamur, B. Taylor & Francis: Sydney

Feeley, C. & Thomson, G. (2020) Understanding women’s motivations and experiences of freebirthing in the UK in Birthing outside the System: The Canary in the Coalmine. Eds. Dahlen, H., Schmied., V., Kamur, B. Taylor & Francis: Sydney

Feeley, C (2019) Freebirthing: A case for using interpretative phenomenology in midwifery research for knowledge generation, dissemination and impact. Journal of Research in Nursing, 24(1-2), 9-19.

Feeley, C (2019) Freebirthing: A case for using interpretative phenomenology in midwifery research for knowledge generation, dissemination and impact. Journal of Research in Nursing, 24(1-2), 9-19.

Feeley, C., and Thomson, G., (2016) Going it alone. RCM Magazine, September 2016 ~ A guide for maternity professionals.

Feeley, C., and Thomson, G., (2016) Going it alone. RCM Magazine, September 2016 ~ A guide for maternity professionals.

Giving birth and ‘going it alone’: choosing to freebirth - co-author Claire Feeley explains more about their findings in this guest blog, 12/4/2016.

Giving birth and ‘going it alone’: choosing to freebirth - co-author Claire Feeley explains more about their findings in this guest blog, 12/4/2016.

Rise in ‘freebirthing’ suggests women feel midwives and doctors are ignoring their needs The Conversation, 22/8/2016.

Rise in ‘freebirthing’ suggests women feel midwives and doctors are ignoring their needs The Conversation, 22/8/2016.

Feeley, C., & Thomson, G. (2016). Tensions and conflicts in 'choice'. women's experiences of freebirthing in the UK. Midwifery, 41, 16-21.

Feeley, C., & Thomson, G. (2016). Tensions and conflicts in 'choice'. women's experiences of freebirthing in the UK. Midwifery, 41, 16-21.

Feeley, C., & Thomson, G. (2016). Why do some women choose to freebirth in the UK? an interpretative phenomenological study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16(59).

Feeley, C., & Thomson, G. (2016). Why do some women choose to freebirth in the UK? an interpretative phenomenological study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16(59).

Feeley, C., Burns, E., Adams, E., & Thomson, G. (2015). Why do some women choose to freebirth? A meta-thematic synthesis, part one. Evidence Based Midwifery, 13(1), 4-9.

Feeley, C., Burns, E., Adams, E., & Thomson, G. (2015). Why do some women choose to freebirth? A meta-thematic synthesis, part one. Evidence Based Midwifery, 13(1), 4-9.

Why do some women choose to freebirth in the UK? - Claire Feeley (Ep.07) Narrowcast Media Group

Presentations

Tensions and conflicts in ‘choice’: women’s experiences of freebirthing in the UK - Claire Feeley (Ep.07) Narrowcast Media Group