One-third of Australian women experience an unintended pregnancy in their lifetime, writes Danielle Mazza, with rates of unintended pregnancy higher among the socio-demographically disadvantaged, and those living in rural areas. One in three of these unintended pregnancies results in abortion, with almost half of women who...
Patricia Lee learns to take nothing for granted as the midwife called for the emergency obstetrician. As I slumped onto the delivery bed, panting and sweating after another contraction, I knew something was wrong. After spending the entire day in labour and pushing for hours, my...
It’s still unclear whether a shorter or longer gap between pregnancies increases the risk of complications. Amanda Henry reports Women often wonder what the “right” length of time is after giving birth before getting pregnant again. A recent Canadian study suggests 12-18 months between pregnancies is...
A major report just released has revealed that many Australian babies are being placed at unnecessary risk because their birth by caesarean section is scheduled too early, without a medical reason. This is despite clear evidence that waiting until 39 weeks – unless there is...
In a momentous leap forward for women’s health in Australia, a new national standard of care released today will reduce the risk of women experiencing a serious tear of the perineum at childbirth. Until recently, perineal tears were a taboo subject and women often suffered in...
Is it safe for me and my baby? Nina Jane Chad and Karleen Gribble look at the issues. Australia’s front-line health workers, quarantine staff, border control officers, and workers and residents in aged-care homes have been offered the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Some of these workers will be women...
From Norway to Vanuatu to Chile – how does pregnancy differ around the world? Sigrid Nordvik 32, NORWAY In Norway, you attend medical appointments every month with your doctor or the midwife. I could choose which one I wanted to see. We had two screenings, one around...
The word ‘colic’ can strike fear into the hearts of any parent, writes Dr Valerie Sung. But now new research could potentially give hope to those struggling with colic in a newborn baby. An international study has found that a specific probiotic group is twice as...
Listening to her newly pregnant friend gush with excitement, this seasoned mother wanted to tell her that there will be bad days, when you can’t believe how tired you are, how crappy you feel, how much crying a little one can do – but that...
Strange as it may seem, Kate Middleton, Charlotte Bronte and Charles Darwin’s mother share something in common, writes Dr Penny Sheehan. They all suffered extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.Obstetricians refer to the condition as hyperemesis gravidarum, but nobody is quite sure why it occurs....
