Watch: Baby born in MRI machine
It dosen't sound like a great place to give birth, but in 2010, researchers from a German hospital used a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine to record a woman in labour.
Women who fear childbirth labour for longer
Women who are afraid of childbirth spend longer in labour than those who aren’t – and also have a higher chance of needing an emergency caesarean, according to new research.
How to prepare for an unexpected birth
Lakshmi Singh Perhaps you’re at home and haven’t had contractions for very long, or you’re in the car on the way to the hospital; whatever the case, you're going to be giving birth then and there. Learn what to do if you find yourself in this unusual situation.
Women labouring longer than they did 50 years ago
Nicholas Bakalar and staff writers A US study has found that women are spending longer in labour than they did 50 years ago, a trend that may be caused by increasing maternal age, weight and changing delivery room practices.
Unnecessary inductions raise risk of complications
Pregnant women who are induced for “non-recognised” medical reasons have a higher chance of birth complications than other mums, a study has found.
While I laboured, 639 women died
Jo Pride In Australia, a woman dying during labour is a newsworthy event. In other parts of the world, it's just another part of the pregnancy process. So what can we do to help stop the deaths of these women?
Push to get new babies home in four hours
Rachel Browne Hospital to home in four hours? It would have been unheard of a generation ago but in NSW maternity wards of the future, it is not unusual.
Assisted delivery
Brooke Tasovac About 11% of births in Australia are assisted deliveries (also referred to as instrumental or operative vaginal deliveries) which require an obstetrician or midwife to use instruments and methods that help a baby to be born.
Best positions for labour
Brooke Tasovac Once labour is underway, the positions the mother decides to take will certainly have an effect on comfort level!
Pain relief options in labour
Brooke Tasovac There are various types of pain relief available to women during labour, although there are several factors that will influence what types can be administered.
Tweeting during childbirth? Why not?
I’ve been criticised for sharing too much and I’ve been criticised for not sharing enough.
When should I go to hospital?
Brooke Tasovac There are several signs that labour may have begun but knowing when is the right time to go to the hospital can still be difficult to tell ... perhaps you should familiarise yourself with the signs.
Myleene's little Hero
British singer-turned-TV star Myleene Klass became a mother for the second time on Friday, welcoming a little girl named Hero.
Do dads belong in the labour ward?
Tim Elliott Fathers now regularly attend the births of their children, but their presence isn't always welcome.
Miranda Kerr joins fight against fistula
A very-pregnant Miranda Kerr has fronted a new video campaign to raise awareness of fistula, a birth complication which can spell death developing countries.
Stages of labour
Brooke Wells Find out how you can tell if labour is established and what each stage of labour entails - from dilation of the cervix to pushing and afterbirth.
Easing labour pain naturally
Julia Medew Terrified by memories of her sister giving birth, Chantal Stravens learned hypnosis so she could stay calm during her own labour.
Rise in induced births worries doctors
Kate Benson One in three pregnant women in NSW has her labour induced - a rise of at least 15 per cent in the past 10 years - with almost half of inductions done without a medical reason.
Orgasmic birth an old midwives' tale
Avril Moore Hippie claptrap aside, childbirth is far more agony than ecstasy says Avril Moore.
Packing your hospital bag
Essential Baby members The days of grabbing your keys, mobile and wallet and heading out the door are soon to be over, and it all starts with the birth! Here is a comprehensive checklist devised by Essential Baby members to help you with your first step on the journey of parenthood!
Forums
Your birth stories
Share and read EB member's birth stories. Stories of all kinds - some to make you cry, and some to make you laugh out loud, but all to make you proud of womankind.
Labour & Birth Forum
Forum to ask and share advice on what to expect on the big day.
Tools
Announce your Baby's Birth
Congratulations on the birth of your little bundle of joy. We hope you enjoy this special time together! EB will help you share the news with friends and family, click here to enter the details of your new family member.
