‘Wild Pregnancy’ Trend on ‘The Pitt’ Finale Sparks Fear—Doctors Warn It Can Turn Deadly Fast

Motherhood can be the most natural thing in the world—which is one reason why a growing number of women are choosing “wild pregnancies,” skipping all prenatal care, doctor visits and even midwife support. The trend recently made headlines when it was featured on the finale of the hit medical drama The Pitt. But what exactly is a wild pregnancy, and is it safe? Here’s what real-life experts have to say.

What is a wild pregnancy?

Some call this experience an “unassisted pregnancy.” It is a movement supported by the Free Birth Society. Just like it sounds, it is an intentional, deliberate choice to avoid medical surveillance during pregnancy and labor. That includes skipping routine screenings such as ultrasounds and blood tests.

The reasoning? As a pregnant character in the Season 2 finale of The Pitt explained, “Women have been having children on their own for thousands of years.”

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Then fan-favorite Dr. Abbott, played by Emmy-winner Shawn Hatosy, told the patient the serious side of going without medical support during pregnancy and childbirth. “Yeah, with an infant mortality rate of 30 percent for most of those thousands of years.”

Wild pregnancy risks doctors want women to know

So what do real medical doctors (not actors) have to say about the risky practice? “Choosing to forgo prenatal care in a ‘wild pregnancy’ eliminates opportunities to detect and manage conditions like hypertension, diabetes or fetal growth problems,” explains Jeffrey Chapa, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn and national director of maternal-fetal medicine at Obtelecare.

“Without monitoring, conditions that are typically treatable can progress to serious, even life-threatening complications,” he says. Plus, emergencies during unassisted births can quickly arise, putting both the mother and baby in jeopardy.

Some things a wild pregnancy can miss

Without prenatal care, moms might not know they are suffering from:

• High blood pressure and preeclampsia
• Anemia and nutrition deficiencies
• Infections

Without monitoring, babies might face:

• Umbilical cord problems or breach position
• Placental disorders
• Fetal anomalies and developmental issues

These complications are surprisingly common. High blood pressure and preeclampsia affect around 10 percent of pregnancies and can be deadly for both the mother and baby. Plus, gestational diabetes carries a 10-fold increased risk that the mother will develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

How common is a wild pregnancy?

Given the hidden nature of wild pregnancies, it’s hard to fully track the numbers. But here’s what some stats tell us: About 7.3 percent of all pregnancies get delayed or inadequate prenatal care, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the CDC estimates that about two to three percent get zero prenatal care. As many as 25 percent of women don’t get care in the first trimester, due to lack of knowledge of the pregnancy, poor access to care or a deliberate choice to go the “natural” route and forgo medical interventions.

Why some women choose wild pregnancies, despite the risks

Three main factors are driving the increase in wild pregnancies across the U.S.:

Preference for a natural experience: Most of these women want an all-natural pregnancy, believing it will be gentler and allow for deeper bonding with the baby. They follow a self-guided journey through their nine-plus months.

A distrust in healthcare: “For some, I think ‘wild pregnancies’ reflect a strong desire for maternal autonomy and control over their pregnancy and birth experience,” Dr. Chapa says. “It may also stem from skepticism, sometimes rooted in negative or even traumatic previous healthcare experiences.”

Lack of access to affordable care: “As maternal care deserts continue to expand, far too many women are unable to access essential prenatal care due to cost, geographic limitations or provider shortages,” Dr. Chapa explains. “That’s why expanding access to flexible models of care such as telehealth specialty services is critical to ensure those who want care can access it.”

The real-world implications of this decision

The statistics are sobering—but the real-world stories bring the risks into even sharper focus. Pediatric nurse practitioner Joanna Kreyling, CPNP-PC, knows this firsthand. As a mother of four, she has had a variety of pregnancy experiences ranging from a high-risk birth in a hospital to a low-key delivery with a midwife.

“My husband and I opted out of any additional genetic testing or scans with our kids,” she says. “But we did do the anatomy scan at 18 weeks. If we hadn’t done this, the extremely rare condition involving our child’s heart would not have been identified. She would have been born blue at home with no available oxygen.” Thankfully, they got the care they needed. Kreyling shares, “How could we have lived with ourselves if we lost a child to something preventable?”

Safer alternatives women should consider

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For women who want more control over their pregnancy experience but still want medical safety, experts recommend these options:

• Scheduling telemedicine check-ups
• Using birthing doulas and midwives
• Seeking hybrid care that focuses on the patient’s experience

“It isn’t difficult to find stories online of deadly results of these unmonitored deliveries across the globe,” Kreyling adds. “I believe there are safer options for providing patient-centered care.”