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The maternal dilemma

Mum and baby JULIA BAIRD 29 Jun | In Manhattan, motherhood is seen as a disruption to a woman's real life - leaving Australian expat Julia Baird wondering if something has been lost.

Working mums don't cuddle their babies less

Alfie ADELE HORIN | Babies are not missing out on cuddles if their mothers work - even full-time. They spend almost the same amount of time each day being held, read to, talked to, and cuddled as the babies of mothers who stay at home, according to a study that charts the typical day of Australian infants.

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The real job of pregnancy

pregnant JODIE BENVENISTE 23 Jun | If you think pregnancy is all about growing a baby. Then think again. Pregnancy is actually about growing you into a parent. Pregnancy is nine months of preparation for your most significant role yet.

Giving birth by the stars

Raising children with different star signs ANDREW BOCK 24 Jun | Children with different star signs have different needs and some may be more difficult to raise than others, says astrologer Sherrynne Dalby.

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Whose baby is it anyway? Dealing with intrusive in-laws

intrusive_inlaw90x60 JENNA D. BARRY 12 Jun | If you thought your in-laws were intrusive before you had kids, then hold onto your maternity pants. The “fun” has just begun. But then you probably discovered that the day you announced that you were pregnant.

Australia turns back the clock to baby boomer era

group-of-babies90x60 JACOB SAULWICK | The population is growing at its fastest pace since the 1960s, thanks to historically high levels of migration and quite a few babies.

Photos tackle taboo issue

Photograph: Robeccer McLean ACOCP 5 Jun | No one likes to see or hear of very sick children, yet Heartfelt, a photography exhibition by The Australian Community of Child Photographers (ACOCP) is about to shed new light on the subject.

Many mums smoke through pregnancy: report

pregnancy_smoking90x60 3 Jun | Many Australian women who smoke don't quit during pregnancy, a study shows, and when they cut back it's only by a couple of cigarettes a day.

Fresh ideas for working families

Working Mums still bear the brunt of housework BROOKE WELLS 29 May | In a time where 41% of working mothers are recommencing employment before their child is 4-months-old, the development of family friendly workplace policies are an important supplement to the paid maternity leave scheme that the Government recently announced will be introduced in 2011.

My "VBAC" story

Anne's VBAC ANNE 27 May | Anne shares the experience of her traumatic first birth and her successful attempt at a vaginal birth after caesar (VBAC) to deliver her second child, Lauren who was born weighing 5.76kgs!

Leave for new dads a step still too far

Balancing work and family. KATHARINE MURPHY | The Productivity Commission wanted to give fathers two weeks' paid leave with their new babies - but that idea is on the backburner as the Government looks to contain the cost of its 2009-10 budget spending.

Australian university develops test for pregnancy complications

Pregnancy 12 May | A genetic test that can predict which women are at risk of suffering pregnancy complications is being developed in Australia.

Money-saving nursery makeover tips

Baby in cot SUZANNE 12 May | When it comes to designing a nursery for your newborn’s arrival, there are many different options to choose from in terms of baby furniture and décor. It’s always a good idea to look into money-saving options that will help you stay within your children’s room budget.

Study shows benefits of early maternity leave

C-section BRIDIE SMITH 11 May | Women who start maternity leave at least a month before their baby is born are less likely to have a caesarean delivery according to US researchers, who also found mothers who delay their return to work breastfeed for longer.

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Birthing your baby at home

Homebirth of Mason Homebirth is increasingly being spoken about as an alternative to hospital birth, however it remains a less common choice for birth, with the majority of Australian women birthing in hospital. So why are some women deciding to birth at home?

Baby showers

Baby Shower The baby shower – it’s an event that can strike fear into the heart of the calmest of women. What are the best baby shower games? How exactly does one make a nappy cake? And where on this side of the universe do I get those tiny plastic babies?

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Helping a friend who has suffered a loss

How can you help a friend who has a miscarriage or stillborn baby? Losing a baby is an experience no parent wants to go through, yet many have to face. A neonatal loss, miscarriage or stillbirth often leaves friends and family not knowing what to say or how to react, and this can make such a grief-filled time even harder.

A wee problem

Incontinence issues for mothers Incontinence and weak pelvic floors can be a troubling issue for many women, but it needn't be, says pelvic physiotherapist Mary O'Dwyer.