![An unnamed mum has shared her post-caesarean scar in a photo.](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/3/y/a/j/image.related.landscape.380x253.gs3tx0.png/1476670496005.jpg)
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![male midwife](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/e/2/t/p/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.3e2t3.gmxgj7.png/1457050506483.jpg)
The lowdown on male midwives
How would you feel about having a male midwife assist your baby's birth? For a growing number of mums, the idea is a reality - and the experts all agree that it's something that should be encouraged.
![Water birth](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/1/5/0/v/z/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.150vf.gmxgj7.png/1457050506483.jpg)
Water birth: the basics
With proper medical attention, water birth is a legitimate and safe way for women to give birth and can help manage pain in labour.
![eb-hospital-bed-90x60](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/o/5/w/k/image.related.landscape.120x80.2bj7.gmxgj7.png/1457050506483.jpg)
![Hospital Suite Deal](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/z/b/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.2bj6.gmxgj7.png/1457050506483.jpg)
![Justine Davies](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/k/q/v/z/image.related.landscape.120x80.pulj.gmxgj7.png/1457050506483.jpg)
![eb-hospital-midwife-newborn-baby-90x60](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/o/5/w/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.2bj5.gmxgj7.png/1457050506483.jpg)
Latest
!["Culturally, we're obsessed with women suffering as much as possible during childbirth," writes Kasey Edwards.](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/i/c/5/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.gri7a7.png/1474326275635.jpg)
Why are we still trying to talk women out of epidurals?
"Culturally, we're obsessed with women suffering as much as possible during childbirth," writes Kasey Edwards.
![Cesarean Section C-Section Birth Mother and Newborn](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/6/h/4/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.grbdgq.png/1473333160223.jpg)
With a cesarean section, the path to obesity may begin at birth
Babies delivered by C-section were 64 per cent more likely to grow up to be obese than were their brothers and sisters delivered vaginally.
![A baby with a handmade cord tie.](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/6/j/h/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.gr6c2i.png/1472709205032.jpg)
Homemade umbilical cord ties: why doctors say they're not a good idea
The current practice is to use plastic clamps, but some mums are choosing a homemade alternative.
![Raye Lee's baby boy Roxas.](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/z/y/7/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqzxrg.png/1472089067327.jpg)
Mum's brutal truth about c-section: 'This is not the easy way out'
A new mum has shared photos of her caesarean section scar to prove she did not "take the easy way out" when giving birth to her son.
![<i></i>](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/o/d/v/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.gqodo6.png/1470715529830.jpg)
Kick your birth plans to the curb
These things do not make you any more or less of a mum, and they do not mean you child will be any less happy.
![The drug regulator has proposed a new warning about taking anti-inflammatory drugs if you are planning a family.](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/x/d/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gq6x25.png/1476173031196.jpg)
Canberra to trial publicly-funded home births
Expectant mothers in Canberra will soon have the option of giving birth at home as part of the first publicly-funded trial in the ACT.
![Minerva McKell with her second child, daughter Leo.](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/y/8/i/k/image.related.landscape.300x200.gq3n3x.png/1468371901322.jpg)
How this mum was made to feel like a failure
A childbirth course that dramatically reduced the rate of medical interventions has raised serious questions.
![<i></i>](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/w/u/6/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.gpwu43.png/1467377000577.jpg)
Your birth choices: care options, and public vs private
Not sure who to visit for care, and where you should have your baby? Here's a guide.
![<i></i>](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/i/g/c/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.gpig2j.png/1465866594234.jpg)
Why all births should be followed by a debrief
During a birth debrief, the new mother has an opportunity to talk about her birth experience.
![<i></i>](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/9/5/x/2/image.related.landscape.300x200.gp8zzt.png/1464760444795.jpg)
A dad asks: 'Will a doula try to take over?'
Will a doula try to take over? My baby is being born and I want to be there for the birth.
![<i></i>](/web/20161021170610im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/7/m/n/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.gp7m1x.png/1464603012327.jpg)
Let's empower women in labour and birth - here's how to do it
I realised labour is more like strength training than I ever knew. And your coaching team has a lot to do with how empowering the experience is for you.
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