The medical model of childbirth is broken right to the core. When I was just getting started with this birthing thing I was pretty enthusiastic. I did a lot of reading. I wrote optimistic essays about birthing choices for my shockingly bad website. And I tried to be a doula, though I’m not sure
Love has long been the domain of poets, artists and philosophers, but it's only in the past 50 years that it has really begun to hold the attention of scientists. What they are discovering is startling. Oxytocin, now dubbed the "hormone of love", holds immense sway over the way we feel when we make
July 26th 2012 - Australian study shows the continuity of midwifery care reduces caesarean section rates during childbirth, increases satisfaction with birth for women and leads to better health outcomes for babies. An Australian first, and the world’s largest randomised controlled trial of ‘one to one’, or ‘caseload midwifery’, was published today in the
For centuries midwives have worked among their communities providing care to women. Historically midwives have held a philosophy of care based on the belief that pregnancy is, basically, a healthy process and a normal part of life, growth and development. It is this belief that guides the way in which midwives in private practice
By The Birth Trauma Association (UK) What is birth trauma? When we talk of birth trauma, we mean Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that occurs after childbirth. We also include those women who may not meet the clinical criteria for PTSD but who have some of the symptoms of the disorder. PTSD is the
It’s a stormy night and a sleek Jaguar creeps along the road, avoiding the carnage with breathtaking precision. A beautiful young actress clad in a shimmering evening gown turns to her angular-jawed partner and gasps ‘It’s coming!’ Moments later, following two or three tumultuous contractions, several commercial breaks and plot
Active birth slow dancing is a way to work with birth physiology. Indeed, in labour a woman is encouraged to move and change her position freely. Using upright positions harnesses gravity to help with the progress of labour. Movement also helps with baby's position and a woman's comfort in labour. This video clip by
Every day I get emailed news alerts from around the world on a variety of subjects, such as birth; midwives; obstetricians; caesarean and VBAC. As the Australian College of Midwives National Media Spokesperson, I want to be ready for any potential political ripple in the waters of childbirth. I want to jump on the
Seeing birth through children’s eyes has provided me with some of my fondest moments as a midwife. The wide eyes, the open mouths, the way their little tummies tense in time with their mothers contractions and best of all snuggling into bed together with mum and the new baby. Priceless comments like ‘put it
For seven and a half years I have been studying ways to reduce perineal trauma and increase comfort during birth as part of my PhD. It is something as a midwife and a mother that I know is vitally important to helping women begin motherhood in the best way possible. It is one of
