ABSTRACT
In Australia, some women are dissatisfied with the lack of access to homebirth and with care options in mainstream maternity care. Increasingly, women with both high- and low-risk pregnancies choose to birth outside the system. Unregulated birthworkers (UBWs) have become a common presence during birth at home without a professional midwife present. In this chapter, an overview of Australian contextual factors that influence and motivate women to choose a UBW-supported birth at home without a professional midwife in attendance are discussed. The results of two national studies involving both UBWs and the women who use their services are discussed. The role, training and practices of UBWs in Australia and women’s experiences of UBW-supported homebirth are also discussed.
