OUR VISION
Every woman deserves to feel safe, respected and heard - from the first heartbeat to the first months of motherhood.
Born to be Wild is a collective of parents who believe that every woman deserves to feel safe, respected and heard. We document, we recommend and we amplify your voices. And we demand better.
OUR VOICE IS POLITICAL
Respectful birth is not a lifestyle choice. It is a matter of public health, human rights, and social justice.
These figures reflect a system in need of structural reform. Born to be Wild does not oppose medical intervention when it is medically indicated, we advocate for evidence-based care, informed consent, and the right of every woman to choose. We are not anti-medicine. We are pro-choice, pro-information, and pro-women. We believe that when parents are informed, heard, and supported, outcomes improve for everyone.
38%
C-section rate in public hospitals, more than 1 in 3 births. The WHO recommends a maximum of 15%.
65%
C-section rate in private clinics, nearly 2 in 3 births. That's where most expats give birth.
47%
of vaginal births involve an episiotomy. The WHO recommends it only in specific cases, never routinely.
< 1%
Estimated home births in Portugal. Independent midwives have no legal recognition, and birth centres don't exist yet.
30%
of women in Portugal reported undergoing non-consensual procedures during childbirth. Among Black and racialised women, the figure rises even higher.
0
0 birth centres in Portugal. In the Netherlands, 13% of births take place outside hospital. In the UK, France or Germany, midwife-led units are a standard option.
Six principles for a respectful birth
Respect
Every woman feels safe and respected during pregnancy. Pregnancy deserves a human presence, not to be reduced to protocols.
Consent
Every woman deserves honest, evidence-based information to make truly informed decisions, free from institutional pressure or financial incentives. Consent is not an option in maternity care. It is a fundamental right.
Physiology
Birth is not an emergency by default. Give time to physiology. Trust the body.
Golden hour
The first hour after birth belongs to mother and baby. Hospitals must protect it.
Continuity of Care
Every woman deserves to know and trust the professional who accompanies her through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Midwives
Midwives must be free to practice. Their expertise saves lives, and their role must be legally protected and valued.
What needs to change in Portugal
A respectful birth system is not a dream. It exists in many countries.
And the ingredients are known.
The full recognition of independent midwives and their right to practice autonomously.
Midwives must have the full right to practice autonomously. Their expertise saves lives, and their role must be legally protected and valued.
Continuity of care
Every woman deserves to know and trust the professional who accompanies her through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period — not to meet a stranger in the delivery room.
Legalisation of birth centres
Casas de nascimento offer a safe, human, non-medicalised environment for women who choose them. They exist across other European countries and beyond. It is time for Portugal to follow.
Access to honest, evidence-based information
Every woman deserves the information she needs to make a truly informed choice — not information shaped by institutional convenience or financial incentives.
For every woman, without exception
Respectful birth is not a privilege reserved for those with the right postcode, the right passport, or the right bank account.
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Whether you are a parent, a practitioner, or an ally, we’d love to hear from you. Send us a message here and we will get back to you as soon as possible : admin@borntobewild.pt