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...

6PR Interview 1/10/2014 ~ Home Birth Perth

Here is a recent interview I did with Paul Murray on 6PR because of the spotlight on home birth in Perth. With the current Coroner’s Inquest into 3 home birth deaths in Perth we are bound to hear people arguing how risky home births are. Home births are not inherently...

Fathers to be Day !

I was recently interviewed On the Nine Today Perth Show. The 3 minutes wasn’t really enough to say everything I wanted to say about the importance of Fathers to be, so here are some more thoughts. Nature wants newborn babies to have two carers, so she pumps...