Margaret Langdon explores stories of families with children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies and the donations of others. About one in six Australians are affected by fertility problems. The techniques available to help these people seeking parenthood are known as assisted reproductive technologies (ART). These technologies involve...
Suvi Mahonen writes about yoga practice in pregnancy. Like many childless women in their late thirties, I had achieved the illusion of having control over my life – from what I ate, to my social activities and daily work. Family planning was no exception. I knew...
Family medical history, fear and trepidation take their toll on Karen Weeks, even after the birth of her perfectly healthy son. We all know parenthood is difficult. We know because we’re parents and have experienced it firsthand. But before having children, I had no idea what...
Victorian newborns who do not pass their routine hearing screening tests are being invited to join a pilot program screening for the most common viral cause of disability. The study, a collaboration between the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the University of Melbourne and four maternity hospitals...
Anne-Maree Brown pockets the ‘answer’ to coping with life as a new mum. I have never really been good at being a bad girl. Whether it was my Catholic upbringing or ruddy Irish complexion, I was always transparent. I grew up in the depths of suburbia. It...
Klay Lamprell draws attention to the issue of discrimination against pregnant women in the workplace. “While direct discrimination is worrying enough, the greater problem involves indirect or covert discrimination, which forces women to resign” A pregnant woman had to sit on a bin after her employer wouldn’t...
Belinda Horton, Past CEO of the Post and Ante Natal Depression Association (PANDA), says honest conversations with expectant mothers and new parents can help them through times of distressing emotional upheaval. Babies are amazing, and becoming a parent is life-changing. So why do we hear over...
Meredith Martin explains that you know you’re alive with five. A recent visit to the GP left me bemused. Our usual doctor was booked out, so we saw another. The appointment was for my son, not me, and yet the doctor launched into a series of...
Motherhood can be a thankless role, writes Kate Wattus, so it’s lucky that priceless moments come along every so often. Do you remember what it was like before Annouk was born?” I asked my six year old recently. “Yeah. I could read in bed with my lamp...
Anna Brasier is frustrated by those who believe that parents of children with disabilities or special needs must always look on the bright side. I now know that parents of disabled children aren’t the mythical, magical people who I had read about or imagined. They...
