PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Dannaway, Jasan AU - Dietz, Hans Peter TI - Unassisted childbirth: why mothers are leaving the system AID - 10.1136/medethics-2012-101150 DP - 2014 Dec 01 TA - Journal of Medical Ethics PG - 817--820 VI - 40 IP - 12 4099 - http://jme.bmj.com/content/40/12/817.short 4100 - http://jme.bmj.com/content/40/12/817.full SO - J Med Ethics2014 Dec 01; 40 AB - Unassisted childbirth is a topical subject that has sparked ethical and legal debate. Although there are little data surrounding unassisted birthing practice, concerns over consent, procedural intervention and loss of the birthing experience may be driving women away from formal healthcare. The healthcare system needs to work toward understanding this practice and, perhaps with the support of legislation, address the concerns of mothers in order to ensure optimal childbirth outcomes.