What is the Free Birth Society (FBS) and what do they promote?

The Free Birth Society (FBS) is an organization that promotes freebirthing, defined as giving birth without any medical support. They advocate for extreme practices, including avoiding prenatal care and ultrasounds, and downplaying serious medical conditions.

What are the risks associated with the extreme freebirth methods promoted by FBS?

The extreme freebirth methods promoted by FBS disregard established medical protocols, increasing risks of severe complications like shoulder dystocia, prolonged labor, and postpartum hemorrhage, which can lead to infant brain injury, death, or severe maternal harm.

How did Emilee Saldaya and Yolande Norris-Clark monetize the Free Birth Society?

Emilee Saldaya and Yolande Norris-Clark monetized FBS through various channels, including a podcast, paid online communities, video courses like 'The Complete Guide to Freebirth,' and training programs for 'Radical Birth Keepers' and 'birth mentors,' generating millions of dollars.

Home / Health / Podcast's Radical Birth Advice Leads to Tragedy

Podcast's Radical Birth Advice Leads to Tragedy

22 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Online group radicalized mothers with dangerous birth advice.
Children died due to extreme freebirth practices promoted.
Organization generated millions while downplaying risks.

Podcast's Radical Birth Advice Leads to Tragedy

An investigation reveals how the Free Birth Society (FBS), founded by Emilee Saldaya, preyed on vulnerable mothers with a radicalized approach to unassisted childbirth. Through podcasts and paid courses, FBS promoted a dangerous ideology, discouraging prenatal care and medical intervention, even in critical situations. This led to devastating outcomes, including infant deaths and severe maternal harm, as exemplified by Esau Lopez's tragic case of irreversible brain injury during a freebirth.

The organization, which generated over $13 million since 2018, fostered an environment where questioning the ideology was suppressed. Followers were encouraged to embrace 'radical responsibility,' absolving FBS of accountability for negative outcomes. Despite evidence of numerous tragedies, including stillbirths and neonatal deaths, Saldaya and co-founder Yolande Norris-Clark continued to expand their empire, establishing 'Radical Birth Keeper' schools that trained individuals with no medical expertise.