Women's experiences of the transition phase of physiological labour during freebirth: A qualitative study.
Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives June 1, 2025 Eleanor Young, Karen-Ann Clarke, Rachel Reed et al.
Women who give birth without any medical or midwifery assistance—a practice called freebirth—experience a highly individualised 'peak intensity' during the transition phase of labour, which is not well captured in standard midwifery teaching. In-depth interviews with ten Australian women who had unassisted physiological births revealed three overarching themes: an 'inner world' of intense somatic sensations, an 'outer world' shaped by perceptions of others and feelings of safety, and an 'other world' involving liminal space and a sense of oneness. These findings affirm that the transition phase is a nuanced, personal experience and suggest that current midwifery discourse may not adequately reflect or support women's actual experiences during this critical phase of labour.