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...
How to Write a Birth Plan: Without a Birth Plan Template
You have found my blog because you are googling “Birth Plan Template”. You probably started off really enthusiastically and wondering: “What should I put on my birth plan?” But as your search continued, you may have become more and more confused by the myriad of...
Delete the Pregnancy Apps for Peace of Mind
I recently had a coffee with an ex client, now new mum extraordinaire. She told me if there is one bit of advice she would like to give all expectant and new parents, it would be... “Delete the Effing Apps!” These days you can get an App for anything, and I put...
More C-Sections is Not the Answer Prof Dietz
Why is Professor Dietz so determined to scare women out of a normal, natural process...vaginal birth? I already replied his claim that "human childbirth is a fundamental bio mechanical mismatch, the opening is way too small and the passenger is way too big", in...
Can I Eat Chocolate When Breastfeeding? A Sweet Guide for New Mums
(Originally published in 2016 but updated and refreshed in 2025) A blog for breastfeeding mamas who just want to enjoy their Easter eggs in peace 🍫💁♀️ Are you wondering, “Can I eat chocolate when breastfeeding?” You’re not alone. This is one of the...
What is the connection between Donald Trump and birth in Australia?
You may be wondering why a birth blog is mentioning Donald Trump. Well, the reaction to the Trump Phenomenon in the US, has got me thinking. When people are discussing the fact that so many Americans are voting for him, I keep hearing this comment. "It could only...
Labour Pains: Is Pain Mainly in the Brain?
Really? Are Labour Pains Mainly in the Brain? We know that people have different “pain thresholds”. And the more I learn about pain the more I realise that “Pain is mainly in the brain”. Think about Phantom Pain, feeling pain in a limb that actually isn’t there. So...
Skin to Skin Is Not A Fad (Updated 2025)
Skin to skin was never a "Fad" Nine years ago, I felt compelled to respond to an article in The West Australian titled “Fad Blamed for Deaths of Babies.” In it, Dr Michael Gannon made the astonishing claim that there was a “new obsession amongst mothers and midwives...
Gestational Diabetes
UPDATED: November 2020 I just had an email from a client with a concern I get quite a lot, so I thought I would share this and my response: "Hi Pip, The main concern I have right now is that I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes (borderline) and even though I...
Bed Rest During Pregnancy
So you been put on Bed Rest During Pregnancy. How's that going? A couple of things have inspired me to write this blog. Firstly, a colleague asked me to write a few words on the importance of relaxation during pregnancy for her eBook. As all of my clients know, I am...
Home Birth Debate
I was asked to comment on Homebirths on local Perth radio station 6PR. It was after the West Australian quoted me in response to Dr Gannon's comment that Home Birthing Mums are selfish. I realIy, really want to apologise publicly for getting the great Hannah Dahlen's...
Caesarean Section Rates Perth 2015
The Western Australian Department of Health Mother and Baby Report for 2015 has been published. Among all the data that I am yet to deeply analyze, are the individual Perth hospital's caesarean section rates. I thought it would be interesting to compare these to last...