Top doctor urges caution on homebirths

Leading doctor Nick Coatsworth has joined other medical experts in warning of the risks from freebirths.

He was speaking on Today this morning in the wake of Melbourne food influencer Stacey Hatfield's death in September after giving birth at home.

"The key here is that it's without any registered medical personnel at all. Sometimes .. there are people who aren't trained in the complications of pregnancy and delivery," he said.

Coatsworth cautioned pregnant women and their partners to think carefully about following influencers and relying on doulas for clinical care.

"It's still a very, natural experience, having it in hospital or whether you're having your baby in home."

He said it was vital for the health of the mother and baby to have qualified medical staff at hand in case anything goes wrong.

"I think the message is: just have people around there who you need in case of a postpartum haemorrhage."

You can watch the full interview in the player above.