An Inconvenient Truth : Care Not Technology Saves Babies
I was just reading about a new invention that the media are calling 'the pregnancy patch' (although it seems it is meant to be used during labour to measure contractions and fetal heart rate) will apparently lower intervention rates. I am left wondering how a new...
Step Away From the Forceps Dr Gannon.
I just had to respond to an article in the West today. In the article Dr Gannon stated that if we aim to decrease the c/section rate in Perth we will increase forceps deliveries. I would love the chance to chat with Dr Gannon about the physiology of labour and birth...
Thank you for your concern but it is my pelvic floor
Have you been told that your hypermobility and having an increased risk of prolapse following a natural delivery? I find it really interesting that OBs are raising this issue yet do not raise the benefits of a natural birth nor all the risks associated with Caesarean...
How to Create a Birthing Environment that Works for You
Do you want to know how to create a birthing environment that will make your birth quicker and more comfortable, no matter where you are birthing? Are you unsure of what to do in the hospital to create an environment that will work for you? Close...
C Section Rates in Regional WA
Having just made a couple of graphs representing the c section rates in Perth Metro Hospitals I thought I would make another graph for Regional WA. I don't think you can compare them to Metro WA as a lot of transfers happen and the numbers are very different, but it...
C Section Rates Perth 2010 to 2013
Have you been eagerly awaiting the Western Australia’s Mothers and Babies, 2013 31st Annual Report of the Western Australian Midwives’ Notification System? I have. Unfortunately, the data is 3 years old. I am really not sure why it can't be more up to date with...
PNDA Awareness Week
It is Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Week from November 13th to 19th 2017 Here is an Op-Ed I wrote for Fairfax Media in 2013. I get a bit frustrated that we have not made more headway into these conditions in all the years I have been talking about it. Hopefully,...
Bringing Back Breech Birth
When did a Breech Baby stop being just a variation on Normal? I remember, as a student midwife, sitting in a lecture being taught the mechanics of a breech birth by a lovely Obstetrician. Vaginal Breech Birth was definitely being presented as just a variation on...
Skin to Skin After C Section is Priceless
Have you seen the article floating around Facebook about the couple who were charged around AU$40 for skin to skin after c/section? I know most people were horrified that this couple got charged for this, and we could discuss the ethics at length, but a couple of...
We Need To Talk About Stillbirth Risk
Are you reading this because you have been told of your "Risk of Stillbirth"? Firstly take a deep breath to lower your stress hormones and read on. I recently did an online course with Sara Wickham: “Post-Term Pregnancy: Exploring Evidence, Inspiring Confidence”....