Emily Saldea

Mentioned in 4 analyzed podcast episodes across 1 show

Co-founder and CEO of Free Birth Society, an organization that promotes unassisted childbirth and has built a multi-million dollar business through courses and memberships. Saldea directly advises women during labor despite lacking medical credentials, dismisses medical diagnoses, and has developed terminology to circumvent midwifery licensing laws. She is the subject of The Guardian Investigates podcast series "The Birth Keepers," which documents her practices and their documented risks to maternal and infant health.

Appears On

Off Duty | The Guardian Investigates

Episode Appearances

Off Duty | The Guardian Investigates · Dec 10, 2025

The Birth Keepers: Death plan – episode six

“Co-founder of Free Birth Society; promoted unassisted birth philosophy; experienced stillbirth at 41 weeks; filmed newborn in respiratory distress without intervention”

Unassisted Childbirth (Free Birth) Safety and OutcomesOnline Health Misinformation and Maternal HarmRegulatory Gaps in Birth Education and Midwifery Credentialing

View Analysis

Off Duty | The Guardian Investigates · Dec 10, 2025

The Birth Keepers: FBS goes global – episode five

“Co-founder of Free Birth Society; directly advises women during labor, dismisses medical diagnoses, and continues practice despite documented deaths”

Unregulated Birth Attendant Training and CredentialingMaternal Mortality and Morbidity in Free Birth CommunitiesOnline Health Misinformation and Influencer-Driven Medical Decisions

View Analysis

Off Duty | The Guardian Investigates · Dec 10, 2025

The Birth Keepers: Growing an empire – episode four

“Founder and CEO of Free Birth Society; created 'radical birth keeper' terminology to circumvent midwifery licensing laws; built multi-million dollar empire through courses and membership fees.”

Unlicensed midwifery training and 'radical birth keeper' certification programsFree birth movement and rejection of prenatal medical careOnline course monetization and deceptive marketing in health education

View Analysis

Off Duty | The Guardian Investigates · Dec 10, 2025

The Birth Keepers: Journey Moon – episode three

“Founder of Free Birth Society; provided medical guidance to Lauren during six-day labor despite lacking medical credentials”

Free birth movement and unregulated midwiferySocial media algorithm radicalization in health decisionsPreventable maternal and fetal mortality

View Analysis