I think we have to distinguish between an unintentional home birth and a planned freebirth. They are 2 different things and one can happen to anybody if we labour faster or differently then we think we will. i was led to believe that a true freebirth had no medical care whatsoever, including antenatal care, and the woman and her partner take absolute responsibility for the preganacy and birth. But that is just recall from conversations and not any major research done on my part.

I have worked in a major maternity hospital for the past 9 years and can recall very few instances where a term birth has gone so catastrophically wrong where the baby has died or suffered major disability because of lack of care during labour. Most problems I have seen occur due to complications or emergencies occuring during delivery. I have also seen the outcomes of homebirths with complications as well. In fact about the same number. Unfortunately hospitals HAVE to have these pathways and timelines due to liability and insurance. If they don't have them they can't be accredited, and if you don't follow them the hospital will basically wash its hands of you in the case of a lawsuit or coroners case. Also the UK used to have a system of flying squads where a specialist team could rush out to the aid of a GP or community midwife experiencing trouble at a birth. Such a shame they got rid of these as it would enable many more women to birth safely at home.