A Cape Town couple's home birth ended in tragedy when their 'midwife,' Caitlyn Collins, a 'radical birth keeper' linked to the Free Birth Society, allegedly mismanaged labor, leading to the death of their twin babies. Collins denies negligence, claiming she was not a midwife and blaming the parents for neglecting medical care.
Ernesta Chirwa and Chifundo Bingala, expecting their first children in Cape Town, sought a home birth with Caitlyn Collins, whom they believed was a midwife. Unbeknownst to them, Collins was a 'radical birth keeper,' a term coined by the Free Birth Society (FBS), an online school promoting 'freebirth' without medical intervention. Collins, a former certified professional midwife unable to practice legally in South Africa, had embraced FBS's extreme views, discouraging prenatal care. Chirwa's pregnancy progressed to 43 weeks without her knowing she carried twins, a critical oversight due to Collins's minimal care. During labor, Collins reportedly fell asleep, only to discover a footling breech presentation later. She drove Chirwa to an inadequate hospital, dropped her off, and left, advising against mentioning the home birth. Chirwa was later transferred, where she tragically learned both her twins had died. Collins denies being a midwife, asserting she provided only 'emotional support' and advised medical consultation, counter-suing the parents for negligence in seeking professional care. This incident is not isolated; Collins's previous practice had two stillbirths, and she was ordered to cease practice by health authorities prior to Chirwa's case. Chirwa and Bingala are suing Collins for negligence, while Collins, now a senior FBS figure, continues to dismiss criticism.
