Work
Work stress blamed for caesarean rise
Kate Benson Women who stop working at least a month before their baby is due are four times less likely to have a caesarean delivery because they are less tired and anxious, research has found.
Part-time work inhibits breastfeeding
Carol Nader Returning to work on a part-time or casual basis presents almost as much a barrier to breastfeeding for new mothers as working full-time, further fuelling the push for a national paid maternity leave...
Pregnancy oversharing
Justine Davies Gone are the days when pregnancy was viewed as something to be disguised, there is now no aspect of pregnancy that is not fully examined.
Your birth choices
The following information is designed to assist you with making choices about the type of care you would like throughout your pregnancy, and how you would like to give birth to your baby.
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.
Beating the odds - our premature arrival
Nicole Salinas My husband Nathan and I started trying for our first baby in 2001. After 6 months and a lot of questions from me, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Maternity leave can still lead to sacking
Kirsty Needham Women are being sacked for taking maternity leave and told to quit if they cannot juggle family and the work roster, the Fair Work Ombudsman's office has found.
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...
Roxon joins mother of birthing battles
Leslie Cannold The Rudd Government's threatened ban on home births is moving closer to reality.
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.
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.
The maternal dilemma
Julia Baird 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.
Giving birth by the stars
Andrew Bock Children with different star signs have different needs and some may be more difficult to raise than others, says astrologer Sherrynne Dalby.
Packing your hospital bag
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!
Fresh ideas for working families
Brooke Wells 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...
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)!
My "VBAC" story
Anne 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!
Does it matter where babies come from?
Sharon Gray Like most two-month-old babies, Luke sleeps a lot, waking only to blink at the world and feed. He does not yet know that according to the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, he is the first...
Tips for a VBAC
Melissa Maimann Are you planning or considering a vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC)? With the Australian caesar rate up to 31% more and more women are reconsidering a subsequent caesar.
Embracing motherhood
With the growing perception of the ‘supermum’ and society’s increasing pressure on women to ‘have it all’, Australian mothers often miss out on vital postnatal care and support that is the norm in...
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