🔗 Share this article

Despite all the established advances of modern medicine, certain people are attracted to alternative or “natural” remedies and approaches. Many of these are not dangerous. As one cancer specialist observed in the past year, people undergoing cancer treatment will frequently try meditation or vitamins as well. When such a practice is alongside, and not in place of, evidence-based treatment, this is typically not a concern. If it reduces distress, it can be beneficial.

The Rise of Online Health Figures

But the explosion of online health influencers presents problems that governments and regulators in many countries have yet to grasp. A recent inquiry into one such business providing membership and advice to expectant mothers has revealed dozens cases of third-trimester fetal deaths or other serious harm connected to mothers or birth attendants linked with it. While the company is headquartered in North Carolina, its reach is global.

“For whole populations, going through labour and birth without professional support is associated with higher levels of risk for mother and baby,” according to a expert of midwifery.

Understanding the Dangers and Background

Giving birth without medical assistance, sometimes called free birth, is legal in countries including the UK and US. The potential dangers are poorly documented due to a lack of reliable information. Childbirth can be a daunting prospect, and high-quality care is not guaranteed. In England, a alarming recently published report found a large majority of maternity units to be unsafe or in need of improvement.

Criticisms of medical systems and specific, persistent issues with maternity care are in many cases valid. A significant number of the women interviewed for the investigation had in the past experienced distressing births.

Skepticism and the Spread of Misinformation

But while mistrust of established systems may be based on experience, it has also become a fertile ground for other influencers seeking followers to their unconventional methods and DIY philosophy. During the pandemic, a “wellness” industry supposedly focused on healthy living was implicated in spreading lies about vaccines and feeding paranoia about official advice.

Concern is growing that such ideas are acquiring more widespread traction. One presentation given at a cancer conference focused on misinformation, which it said had “significantly deteriorated in the past decade”. The inquiry shows that behind the facade of an rebellious community lies an enterprise that trains women as social media influencers as well as birth attendants. The organization does not claim to be a qualified medical provider.

The Need for Protections and Improvements

There is no going back to a time when doctors were assumed to know best. Vast quantities of scientific research are published online and many people use these to positive effect. But there is also a need for protections from poor advice. It is well known that the algorithms used by tech companies promote more extreme content.

In the UK, improvements to maternity services cannot come soon enough. They should include the option of home birth and the provision of clear information to empower women in choosing their care. Ministers and organizations such as the World Health Organization should also create plans for the information ecosystem so that evidence-based healthcare is not compromised.