McHappy Day 2009
Queensland mum, Karren Sewell, understands what it's like to have a baby daughter who's spent most of her short life in hospital. Karren's daughter Jamie was born by emergency Caesarean at 39 weeks. On her first day of life, she had a colostomy bag put in place. She required heart surgery at three-and-a-half months. Read the full story on this little girl's fight for survival...
Complementary Therapies Overview
Osteopathy, Naturopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine... Find out what these complementary therapies can do for you.
Helping Yourself to a Better Birth
Posted in: labour & birth,
pregnancy
Many women believe that birth is painful and something that has to be 'endured'. However, it is the medicalisation of birth that has led many women and those around them to lose confidence in women's ability to give birth without interventions, or without others telling them what to do.
I Want a Doula
"I want a doula for this birth, what do you think about them?" Jodie asked. I'm a midwife and people stop me in the street to ask advice so I'm use to it. I'm usually happy to give advice but this time I was stuck?
Multiples
Twins? Triplets, quads and even more...! The discovery of this being a reality in a family is usually a huge shock, as you can imagine! Even if you were aware that you had a better than average chance of conceiving multiples by either having had fraternal multiples run through your mothers' side of the family, having assisted conception or having conceived fraternal multiples previously, the reality is something completely different.
Preparing for a New Baby
Having a baby is the most amazing, beautiful and often daunting experience of your lives. The anticipation of what it will be like can be intense as your expected date of delivery draws near.
Homebirth in Australia
Posted in: labour & birth,
pregnancy
The idea of homebirth often
conjures up fear in the minds of many women in Australia who tend to
associate it with being "risky" and with not being able to have pain
relief. However, increasing numbers of women are choosing home birth when they find out how much more in control women feel when they birth at home.
Storing Cord Blood
There's a new question making the rounds among pregnant women across the country, 'Are you storing your baby's cord blood?' Great, you're thinking, just when you had enough to worry about along comes another decision you have to make! While it is a complex area - not without controversy - we've looked into the subject to help you make the best decision for you and your baby.
Midwives
Midwives provide an invaluable service with a much wider role than many may at first think. Qualified medical carers, your midwife can take you from pre-pregnancy through to early parenting help and support.
Better Childbirth - Preparing the Perineum
Posted in:
labour & birth
Perineal tears and episiotomy often occur with first time deliveries, but the risk of these injuries can be reduced by preparing the perineum. So read on for your guide to better childbirth.
7 Secrets to Surviving your Baby's First Year
Babies are demanding little creatures. They test us physically, mentally and emotionally. They provoke incredible joy, profound love, and astounding gratification, but they also trigger exasperation, frustration, anger, and anxiety. You may be unprepared for such an emotional ride. Here are seven ways to cope with the highs and the lows.
Postnatal Exercise
Early motherhood is a demanding time both physically and emotionally. Finding time to exercise can be just as challenging. However, making time for exercise is of vital importance. Research has proven exercise to assist with weight loss, improved sense of wellbeing, decreased symptoms of depression, decreased pain and increased energy...
Young Children Attending the Birth of Siblings
Posted in:
labour & birth
Could having your older child at the birth of your next baby be a wondrous event or a seriously bad idea?
Myths and Misconceptions about Caesareans
Posted in:
labour & birth
In Australia today, approximately one in three women give birth by caesarean section. National Caesarean Awareness Day (September 11th) was established to help raise awareness about the impact of caesareans on women and families, to honour the journeys of women who have given birth by caesarean and to dispel myths and misconceptions about caesareans and vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC).
Bringing Baby Home
Posted in: pregnancy,
labour & birth
Being prepared is the key when bringing baby home. Whether it's husbands, in-laws or sound sleep, read on to find out how to make your new family addition a smooth transition.
Birth Plan Template
Posted in: labour & birth,
pregnancy
Print off our handy birth plan template; an easy to use print-out that prompts and records your preferences for labour and birth so that nothing is forgotten. The birth plan template can be customised to your individual needs.
Birth Plans - Writing a Birth Plan Made Easy
Posted in: labour & birth,
pregnancy
If you thought writing a birth plan
was a waste of time, think again. A birth plan is a means of
communication, in writing, that connects the mother-to-be and her
obstetrician, midwives and caregivers. It tells them explicitly about
her priorities, her options and her specific needs and concerns.
The Stages of Labour Explained
Posted in:
labour & birth
Labour is a series of events that brings about the dilation of the cervix, the descension of foetus down the birth canal, the delivery of the baby and finally, the delivery of the placenta.
Babies Born Prematurely
Posted in: pregnancy,
labour & birth
Seven per cent of births in Australia are premature. A premature baby is classed as being born before 37 weeks of development. Babies that do survive the birth often face complications as their organs are too small or underdeveloped to function independently outside the womb.
How to get the Best Position for Baby for Labour
Posted in:
labour & birth
As you hit the last trimester of your pregnancy, you'll probably start
to wonder what you can do to make your labour shorter and easier. Well,
the way you sit, work, and even the way you travel, all have an
important part to play in your labour.
Working to improve Australian maternity care
Posted in: pregnancy,
labour & birth
In this article, Maternity Coalition shares how their organisation is working towards improving pregnancy, birth and postnatal services and maternity care for women all over Australia.
Labour Pain: Your hormones are your helpers
Posted in:
labour & birth
Dr Sarah J Buckley walks you through the complicated cocktail of hormones that guide your body through labour and birth and how they can help you to understand and manage the pain of labour.
Managing the Fear of Birth
Posted in:
labour & birth
Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fourth, chances are that
as B-day gets nearer, you'll feel butterflies as well as a kicking baby
in your tummy. We help you to beat those birth fears.
Cord Blood - the Power Cord of Stem Cell Research
Posted in: pregnancy,
labour & birth
It is estimated that over 10,000 people have been treated with cord blood cells since 1972. Now recognised as a lifesaving treatment, the list of things you can do with stem cells is amazing...
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