A birth doula is a support person a woman can privately hire during pregnancy. They usually attend the birth and provide non-clinical comfort measures such as massage, assistance getting into different birth positions, and emotional reassurance....
For some Australians hoping to have a baby, deciding to begin fertility treatment is only the first hurdle. Finding donor sperm can involve waiting lists, rising costs and very different rules depending on where you live....
Becoming a mother also brings about an extraordinary shift in priorities. As the late British psychotherapist and author Naomi Stadlen wrote, “motherhood can be relentless. The dependency, the need, the constant pull of being someone’s entire world…”...
It may sound surprising – even a little shocking – but the very first thing many babies encounter when they’re born is their mother’s poo....
When you're expecting, everyone offers you advice, and it's hard to know what's true. We've debunked 13 of the most common pregnancy myths, from bump shapes to hair dye, so you can stop second-guessing and start enjoying the ride. The best part? Some of the...
Should surrogates be paid for carrying someone else's baby? Australia is reviewing its surrogacy laws, and the question of payment is dividing opinion. Here's what's being considered, and why it matters for families everywhere....
New study finds that continuity of care in pregnancy is linked to lower risk of birth trauma, report by Hannah Dahlen, Hazel Keedle and Kingsley Emwinyore Agho Seeing the same midwife or doctor throughout pregnancy and labour may significantly reduce the risk of birth trauma, according...
Postpartum is more than recovery — it’s a full-family adjustment. When partners step up with practical, everyday support, mums feel less overwhelmed and those early weeks run more smoothly. It’s not just mum’s job The early weeks with a newborn can feel intense. Alongside physical recovery, mums...
Australia is weighing a potential ban on infant formula advertising, amid concerns about how these products are promoted online. A closer look at the ads reveals the messages and marketing tactics shaping how parents make feeding decisions. Madeleine Stirling, Christine Parker and Daniel Angus...
Most pregnant women experience some nausea, but a small number develop a severe form known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Karin Hammarberg writes that researchers are still uncovering its causes, risk factors and treatments — and why symptoms can become so extreme. Most women experience some nausea and...
