Author: Leigh Fransen

Intro from Leigh, blogger at Honest Midwife: For years, I believed that there had been three babies’ deaths associated with the birth center that I co-owned, and that they all occurred after I left in early 2013. In February of

This is a true birth story from the Northeastern U.S. It occurred in 2012. The name of the midwife has been changed in accordance with the mother’s wishes. My first two babies were born, completely naturally and with no interventions,

Baby Daxton was born at the Carolina Community Maternity Center in January 2015 and died the same day. I have worded this account based on notes I took during midwife Christine Strothers’ testimony at the coroner’s inquest. It tells the story

Baby Daxton was born at the Carolina Community Maternity Center, the birth center in Fort Mill, South Carolina, that I used to own. He died shortly after his birth on January 20th, 2015. On June 4th at the coroner’s inquest,

I spent my day at the York County courthouse at a coroner’s inquest to determine the manner of death of a baby that was born at my old birth center in January. The jury of six was given four options

This is a birth story written from my perspective as midwife. The names and identifying details have been altered to respect the privacy of the family, but the story is true. If you have read my paper High Risk, you

None of my births ever really ended badly. There were some complications, of course. A heaping handful of c-sections, a few severe tears. A couple of babies who needed brief hospitalization. But when it was all said and done, I

In my paper High Risk, I reviewed all the literature that the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) claims forms the “best evidence” for the safety of home birth. I found that most of the studies were either not applicable

I was recently forwarded this letter and was given permission to share it with a few identifying details removed. This letter really spoke to me, further convicting me of things I am guilty of that I have not yet really

Midwives often say that nonhospital birth is “at least as safe” as giving birth in the hospital. Most mothers who choose nonhospital birth strongly agree; according to a research study I did in Spring 2015, here is the breakdown: Yet,