C Section Rates in Regional WA

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,...
Bringing Back Breech Birth

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...
The Moment I Stopped Wishing for a Natural Birth

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...
Vaccinations

Vaccinations

I was just asked to comment on the issue of vaccinations after the tragic whooping cough death of Riley Hughes here in Perth. Those of you who follow my blog know I am all about choice,  informed choice. I don’t want to start an argument but if all those people...
Nocebo Effect in Childbirth

Nocebo Effect in Childbirth

Last night I was listening to the BBC World Service (as I do) ,and heard this segment on the “Nocebo Effect” and I nearly jumped out of bed to write this blog then and there. I highly recommend that you listen to this  and then get your care provider to listen to it...
Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy

Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy

I recently attended a midwifery study day on the very glamorous topic of “Continence Promotion”. And while I sat there practising pelvis floor exercises until my eyes watered, I just kept thinking this is something I need to start talking about again in my...
Common Interventions during Labour

Common Interventions during Labour

I just listen to a great webinar from the Building Better Babies Summit. It was titled ‘Routine Interventions in Childbirth’ and was by Dr Rachel Reed.  It was so good I thought I would summarise it (and add my own thoughts) here. Dr Reed points out that...