Midwife
Angry mums against midwife legislation
Kate Dennehy A group of angry mothers and mothers-to-be have gathered in Brisbane to discuss tactics to overturn a Federal Government proposal they say will ban home births with a midwife.
Midwife home birth as safe as hospital, says study
Louise Hall Home birth assisted by a trained midwife is just as safe for low-risk mothers and their babies as a delivery led by a midwife in hospital, a study of more than half a million women has found.
Birth: a woman's right to decide?
Justine Caines The maternity reforms had the ability to place women as the focus of care, rather than the current practice of meeting the needs of organisations and practitioners first.
Hospital closure leaves woman screaming
Julie Robotham Medical Editor A first-time mother endured a traumatic ambulance transfer after Katoomba Hospital, where she was booked to have her baby, failed to warn her of the imminent closure of its birth unit.
Birth rights
John van Tiggelen In many countries, home births are commonplace - and generally regarded as safe. So why in Australia, where such births are rare, is the Government discouraging the practice? John van Tiggelen...
Losing a baby
Stillbirth Foundation Australia Stillbirth is a word that we don’t hear nor talk about in today’s modern society. Usually, the first time a parent hears the word “stillbirth” it is to describe their own child.
Using acupuncture to prepare for birth
Rebecca Mar Young Acupuncturist Rebecca Mar Young, who focuses on pregnancy, explains how acupuncture can help you prepare for birth.
Baby steps as hospitals deliver a helping hand to home-birth push
John Elder Midwives working away from labour wards are to be covered by insurance under a pilot scheme, writes John Elder.
It's a woman's right to choose how she births
Monica Dux In five months' time, if my pregnancy progresses without complication, I will birth my second child at home, attended by two registered private midwives.
The psychosocial impact of high risk pregnancies
Stephanie Azri There is an approximately 20% chance of being diagnosed a ‘high-risk’ mother to-be in any given pregnancy. The psychological and social impact of such a diagnosis can be tremendous.
Birthing after July 1, 2010?
Melissa Maimann Essential Baby explains the changes to legislation and the consequences it may have for those birthing after mid-2010.
Emma's homebirth after two caesars
Emma I have had two “failure to progress” labours leading to two emergency c-sections. My third time around I was aiming for, and achieved, a HBA2C (home birth after two caesars)!
How to have a positive caesarean experience
Melissa Maimann Caesareans have been the subject of controversy for quite some time. The purpose of this article is not to debate the relative merits of a caesarean or a vaginal birth because for some women, a...
Roxon joins mother of birthing battles
Leslie Cannold The Rudd Government's threatened ban on home births is moving closer to reality.
Choosing a hospital
When it comes to your pregnancy, choosing where you will give birth is one of the biggest decisions you will make.
Public hospital care
Public care offers several options, each of which are free of charge if you are a Medicare cardholder.
Private hospital care
Choosing where you will give birth is a big decision. One of the attractions of private hospital care is the high standard of comfort and quality of food.
Independent midwives and homebirth
A homebirth is an option for low risk pregnancies, but it will still depend on how your pregnancy progresses, and any other medical and safety considerations.
Women's experience of miscarriage
Melissa Maimann The experience of miscarriage is often misunderstood by women's friends, families and the medical community, causing feelings of isolation, frustration and fear.
Advice on coping with a miscarriage
Melissa Maimann Essential Baby member and midwife Melissa talks to EB members about how they coped with their miscarriage and what advice they can share with others.
