After listening to the Guardian podcast series the Birth Keepers, I feel compelled to share my own story. I believe that it is important to share examples of a middle way somewhere between free birthing and obstetrical violence. On the day of the birth of my child, guided by our friend, I stayed in conscious movement the whole day throughout the contractions. Our midwife arrived late in the day, a couple of hours before the actual birth. Olympia BowmanDie, FranceIt is absolute nonsense to say the risks of giving birth without medical assistance “are not well understood” (Editorial, 15 December).
