Mother behind ‘free birth’ twin tragedy breaks her silence

“On the Aquarius new moon I birthed our twin sons…it was the most incredible experience of my life so far”

The Byron Bay parents who lost their twins during a ‘free birth’ have taken to social media to share their experience of the tragedy.

Sally Patti and Thomas Townend lost their twin sons, Melvin and Dusty, during their recent ordeal and have captured the attention of parents across their country for their new-age approach to pregnancy and birth.

Authorities responded to a residence in Mullumbimby, located in the Byron Shire of northern New South Wales, around 2 am on Sunday, February 11, following concerns about the family's well-being.

According to an article published by news.com.au, Ms Patti defended her decision to free birth believing her twins had a syndrome known as “TTS”.

The article stated "It’s believed Ms Patti is referencing TTTS (twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome) – a rare condition in which the blood flows unequally between twins that share a placenta."

“We believe our twins had TTS. It’s the only answer we have so far as to why they went the way they did and why they grew the way they did,” she shared on Instagram.

“This means that they shared the same life force. They were connected with the same vessels on the placenta.”

She also said if she had a scan, her choices “would have been to either terminate and potentially birth them in hospital knowing they were not alive or undergo intensive ongoing laser surgery to try and separate them and keep them growing at the same pace.”

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What is ‘free birthing’?

According to Natural Birth and Baby,  free birthing is defined on the site as “Giving birth without a trained birth attendant (typically a doctor or midwife).”

A mother’s heartfelt message

Ms Patti took to social media to share her story about the ordeal.

“On the Aquarius new moon I birthed our twin sons,” she shared.

“Dusty came roaring and screaming into this world, so incredibly filled with life, birthed with just Tom and I in the love of our home. 

“I held him, cradled him against my chest, not quite believing I had done it, I had birthed our boy in my full sovereignty.

“The most incredible experience of my life so far. This moment holds me together, this moment is my light in the darkness.”

She added her second baby, Melvin, “was born shortly after but had decided to leave this world possibly earlier in the day.

“I think I know the moment when he passed, I looked up at the blue sky and felt a sense of peace, stars in my eyes and thought my labour would be that night.”

“Melvin's sole purpose was to keep his brother alive, they were both completely and utterly reliant on one another to live.” 

“They shared the same placenta, they shared the same blood vessels, they chose to come in together and leave together 

“Melvin gave his life force so that Dusty could spend those moments in my arms but when I birthed Melvin, Dusty had already decided he couldn't live without his brother, physiologically or spiritually. They needed to be together, and so they are.”

Understandably, Ms Patti has declined to comment to the media and has instead requested privacy during this challenging time.

RELATED: 'Our baby arrived before the paramedics did'

Sally Patti (right) and Thomas Townend (left) weren't aware they were having twins when Sally went into early labour. Source: GoFundMe

A grieving fund

The couple’s friend has started a GoFundMe page to help the parents “grieve” their loss, and has raised over $15,000.

“Calling in community to hold the passage through birth, death & grief for Sally and her family, Tom & Casper.” the friend wrote.

“On Sunday morning, new moon of Aquarius, Sally peacefully birthed her two twins in the waters of her home. 

“In all of those waves of beauty, love, shock and heartbreak; Those two spirit babies didn't have a contract with the earth outside her womb and at the same time of welcoming them in, she said goodbye.

“We are setting up this donation portal to help share the weight and costs of the closing ceremony, funeral, various kinds of therapy for both Sally and Tom, medical bills, self care, healing medicines, and a trip away for the family to heal and land back into themselves after going through this heartaching experience.” the friend explained.

“Grief is a collective portal, it's an opportunity for us to show up and heal together as community, we invite you all to be apart of this and contribute where you can.

“Any donations appreciated to show your love and support for Sally & her family is welcomed with gratitude and reverence for our community.”

A representative from NSW Police informed Kidspot that officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District established a crime scene and are investigating the incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Originally published as Mother behind ‘free birth’ twin tragedy breaks her silence