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”....
The Moment I Stopped Wishing for a Natural Birth
When I found out I was pregnant with my 4th child, it was quite a shock. My other children were 13, 9 and 7 and I thought I was well and truly out of the baby zone. I had also never imagined I would be a mother of 4! But after the initial shock wore off, I was really...
Will My Placenta Stop Working at 40 weeks? Exploring Placental Insufficiency.
Have you heard that your placenta will stop working properly after your ‘due date’ or the words placental insufficiency? Sounds scary, doesn’t it? But what is the evidence for this claim? I recently did an online course with Sara Wickham: “Post-Term Pregnancy:...
Being Induced because you are “Over Due”?
Are you starting to think about Being Induced because your baby is “overdue”? Have you stopped to think what this is all about? Do you really think all babies have to be born at the same point in pregnancy? Just think about it. Why is there so much emphasis placed on...
Mandatory Induction at 39 weeks: No, No, No!
I feel so sick after watching the recording of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Colloquia (fancy name for academic conference or seminar) from this Monday. I have actually been in a state of shock for 2 days and quite speechless. For...