Antenatal

What do you think of the proposed maternity reforms?

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.

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.

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.

Fears for mothers as hospitals up the ante for birth classes

Natasha Wallace The cost of antenatal classes should be means-tested and made uniform across all hospitals, according to the Australian College of Midwives.

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.

Nicole Salinas Everyone’s definition of a “normal” family is different. We believe that children in general are very accepting and it’s the parent’s views that influence how other children will treat our son.

Birthing your baby at home

Melissa Maimann 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.

Your birth plan

These days you and your partner can play a far more active role in your pregnancy, labour and birth.

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.

Labour and birth, a man's role

Chances are, you are going to be the birth partner when your partner gives birth. Although you don't have to go through the physical strain of having the baby, your support role is just as important.