Freebirth is a recently-coined synonym for the more formal expression unassisted childbirth, often abbreviated to UC. The expression unassisted childbirth was coined by Laura K. Shanley, a freelance writer, childbirth advisor, and author of a book of the same name (Unassisted Childbirth, Greenwood Press, 1993). Shanley had been inspired by Grantly Dick-Read (1890–1959), a British obstetrician thought of by many as the father of the natural childbirth movement.