Birth Options more articles

Tocophobia - the fear of giving birth

JO HARTLEY For many women, giving birth is a right of passage. But for others, the thought of childbirth and labour is nothing short of petrifying.

Caesarean delivery doesn't harm baby's future health, study finds

Staff writers An Australian study has found that caesarean section delivery is not linked to a higher risk of health problems during childhood.

5 qualities every midwife should have

Sharday Stirton My midwife was an indispensable part of the whole childbirth journey for me, and when newly pregnant friends ask if they should book one, I can't say yes quickly enough.

Birth Plan more articles

'I wanted to know what was going on during my daughter's birth'

RACHEL BROWNE Preparing for the arrival of their first child should have been an exciting time for Kate and Anthony Hinton but things did not go as planned. Now the couple are preparing to take legal action against Westmead Private Hospital.

HypnoBirthing isn't a hippie thing ... just ask Kate

ALEISHA ORR Word is that Kate Middleton is considering HypnoBirthing when she delivers the new heir to the throne.

Birthzilla? Pass me the badge

Prue Corlette A birth plan is about putting it in writing that a woman's body is to be treated with respect and dignity by her caregivers

Labour more articles

Should you eat during labour?

CATHERINE RODIE Given that that you're going to be labouring for a while, often through times you'd be eating a meal – or at least a snack – is it necessary to eat?

Bond between mother and midwife key to a happy birth

CRAIG BUTT Women who are cared for by the same midwife throughout their pregnancy are less likely to need intervention such a caesarian sections during labour and are less likely to report a traumatic birth, research has found.

How the media can shape our decisions when it comes to labour

JO HARTLEY We all like to think that we make our choices in fair, reasoned and well-thought out ways. Not many of us would admit that we allowed the media to influence us in our life choices.

Caesarean more articles

Nurses invent skin to skin c-section drape

Staff writers The determination of three US nurses to provide immediate skin to skin contact to mothers delivering their babies by caesarean section has led to the invention of a unique surgical drape.

Gynaecologist questions push for natural delivery

AMY CORDEROY A gynaecologist has spoken out against current caesearean policies, saying that directives to reduce c-section rates are actually putting women at risk.

My planned caesarean

KIRAN CHUG I know my decision won't be popular, but I believe that every woman has the right to choose how they have their baby. And my caesarean gave me the most control over how I felt about my body and my child's birth.

After Birth more articles

Electronic tags may keep newborns safe

LETITIA ROWLANDS The possibility of using electronic bracelets for mothers and their newborn babies is being investigated by Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital.

Womb to world: transitioning your new baby

JO HARTLEY One minute they're contentedly snuggled in the sanctuary of their mum's tummy, and the next they arrive into an overwhelming reality of lights, cameras and action.

7 things you can do with your placenta

MEGAN BLANDFORD While many mums and birth practitioners discard of the placenta without giving it a second thought, there are others who decide to keep it – for a range of reasons.

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Birth Stories more articles

Woman names her baby Uber

A woman in the Indian capital has named her baby Uber after she gave birth in a taxi operated by the app-based company, a news report says.

Baby's short life gives Hope to transplant patients

Staff writers She died 74 minutes after she was born but baby Hope has given others a chance to live a full life.

New mum gives birth 15 hours after learning she was pregnant

Adele Redmond Most expecting parents have nine months to prepare themselves, but for one NZ couple, a life-changing surprise happened literally overnight.