Birthing women are in such a vulnerable state that the words they hear and the language used around them can trigger an emotional response such as fear or hope.
And as I’ve discussed in previous blogs (read about it here), these emotional responses can trigger the release of flight or fight hormones which have a direct impact on the progress of labour.
Read MoreIt’s been a huge few weeks for the Australian photography community and an equally as big one in the Birth Photography community.
Every year, the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers (AIPP) holds National Awards at which the best of the best of Australia’s (and some other nations too!) photographers put their hearts on the line and put their beloved art forward to be judged.
Read More“Just to really drive this home for you; VBACs and the risk of uterine rupture are almost a complete non-issue when compared to the statistics for maternal outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women who die at THREE TIMES the rate for other Australian women.”
Read MoreIt’s one of the first things that comes to mind for most people when they think or speak about child birth – the pain. So it goes without saying that many people go into their births expecting that they will need or that they are going to opt for pain relief, regardless of how their actual birth transpires.
Read More“The evidence proves that when pushing is delayed until the mother's urge to push, there are fewer fetal heart rate decelerations and less of a negative effect fetal oxygenation. Add in the lowered risk of needing interventions and it's really a no-brainer. “
Read More“Unlike a husband, mother or friend, doulas are professionals who devote their lives to supporting women during this vitally important time in their life and they have lots of knowledge about different birth options. Doulas bring with them the experience of seeing a wide array of different birth outcomes so they are flexible, rather than rigid, in their expectations. They do not bring into the birth room any fear of birth, or their own personal history with the birthing woman which may impact on her birth.”
Read MoreCan we really say that our maternal health care system is “Safe” simply because our Government can guarantee that you and your baby have a good chance of NOT DYING during birth?
Read MoreAt 25 I was the first of my close friends to have the opportunity to welcome a baby into this world.
I was ready. I had already served two operational tours of duty in Afghanistan leading a team of men in the search of improvised explosives, how hard could this be?
I was sure the birth would be simple in comparison however, nothing in the world can prepare you for the experience of helping your loved one bring a new baby into this world.
Read More"I was alone at an ultrasound, with no one to hold my hand, when the sonographer put his hand on my arm and simply said “I’m sorry…”, I thought, sorry for what? He said it as though there was only one outcome.
It was the most definitive answer I had been given my entire pregnancy, it just wasn’t the answer I was searching for."
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