Breech pregnancy and birth survey

Any mother who has experienced breech pregnancy and or birth research is invited to participate in an online study to look more closely at women's experience with breech birth and pregnancy. The researchers are interested in knowing how women feel about breech pregnancies and the choices available to them.

For more information, go to the survey

Birth choices important to mothers

The following pic and article appear at the website of Fran Bailey, Member for the Victorian seat of McEwen.




Birth choice important to mothers

Monday, 10 August 2009

Mothers in rural and regional areas should be allowed to give birth at home under new maternal health laws, said member for McEwen Fran Bailey after a meeting in Gisborne.

Fran met mothers from across the Macedon Ranges and adjoining regions concerned that the Federal Government was out of step with overseas acceptance of home birth.

"I believe that every women has the right to make an informed choice on where to give birth to their baby," Fran said.

"It is a tragedy that the maternal services review now before the Federal Government could deny mothers any choice.

"The real fear is that Australia is taken backwards in its attitudes to births in hospitals and in the home and this particularly disadvantages expectant mothers in our local communities."

Fran spoke with members of the Macedon Ranges Babs (Birthing and Babies Support) Group to hear their concerns about the Government’s plan on birth choices.

"These mothers and midwives are so passionate about being able to give birth at home, sometimes at great financial cost to themselves," Fran said.

"But without professional indemnity insurance for midwives and an acceptance by the Government that expectant mothers can choose to have a natural birth, there will be an even greater demand on the public health system."

Fran told the meeting that their concerns would be raised with the Government and Senators who will shortly consider legislation on maternal services.

A further meeting with mothers from the Yarra Ranges will be held in Healesville on Friday August 14

grass roots birth activism

A message came from Kimba, who with a couple of friends set up a table with letters and information, outside the local supermarket, and got over 100 signatures on letters in 3 hours. "We also informed a lot of people and got them passionate on the issue!!"

Read more here

Great work Kimba and co!

BaBS Clota Cottage in Box Hill - Term 3 schedule

Hi everyone! Here is the schedule for Term 3 at BaBs Clota Cottage in Box Hill Victoria. Hope to see you there!

22nd July - Emotions during pregnancy, birth and adjusting to parenting, including emotions of siblings and other family members

29th July - Open discussion

5th August - FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) and child spacing

12th August - Family budgeting

19th August - Open discussion

26th August - Normal birth

2nd Sept - Open discussion

9th Sept - Catch up and report from the Rally in Canberra

16th Sept - picnic for end of Term - location and details to be advised

Bayswater BaBs

The Outer Eastern BaBs group that used to meet at Croydon has moved to Bayswater.

We have a new venue which is much more suitable for parents with toddlers and older children. We meet Fridays from 10am to 12 noon at TLC Bayswater in the children's room, we have a lovely comfy couch and plenty of floor space for the kids to play and the mums to relax and chill. TLC is located at 265 Canterbury Rd, Bayswater (between Bunnings and Dairy Bell!) and is an amazing venue.

Our topics for Term 3 this year are:

17 July - Gentle Parenting
24th July - Choices in Childbirth
31st July - Birth after Caesarean
7th August - Free discussion
14th August - Planning for your birth
21st August - Working with pain (in labour!)
28th August - Models of Care
4th September - Free discussion
11th September - Breastfeeding matters
18th September - PANDA


We hope to see both new faces and familiar ones at Bayswater BaBs over the next few months!

Anna :) 0404 074 506

Mini-Expo for Pregnancy and Birth

Ferntree Gully BaBs (Vic) is hosting a
Mini-Expo for Pregnancy and Birth – What’s Out There?

Monday August 3rd 10 am -12 midday
COONARA COMMUNITY HOUSE
22 Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully

Entry is a gold coin donation. Tea and Coffee available.

Pregnancy and birth are very special times in our lives, what are the options for care out there apart from the ‘run of the mill’ programs? For safe, professional, local and caring options come along to the Babs mini expo to collect information which may be helpful to you or a loved one.

For more information contact: Dom on 9755 2607

Who will be there?
• Midwives
• Osteopath
• Homeopath
• Australia Breastfeeding Association
• Calmbirth
• Doula
• Chiropractor
• Body Balance – exercise for pregnant women
• Belly Dancing
• Acupuncturist
• Naturopath

Wagga BaBs Group - program July-December 09

We meet regularly, usually in the Parents as Teachers Centre, Tolland Public School, cnr Raye and Parkhurst Sts, Tolland but please check schedule for alternative venue details where relevant.

Upcoming meetings for 2009 include:

Date: Wednesday 29 July
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: The role of midwives

Date: Wednesday 26 August
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Baby wearing
Venue: The Farm, Sturt Highway, Gumly

Date: Wednesday 23 September
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Posterior, breech and challenging birth including VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)

Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Topic: Older mothers: Conception, pregnancy and motherhood over 35

Date: Wednesday 28 October
Time: 12 noon to 2pm
Topic: Surviving the first six weeks

Date: Wednesday 11 November
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Topic: No sex please – we’re parents: Changing relationship dynamics

Date: Wednesday 26 November
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Green Parenting
Venue: Mates Gully Café – Fitzmaurice St

Date: Sunday 13 December
Time: From 4:00pm
Event: BaBs Christmas Party (BBQ)
Venue: Palm and Pawn Tavern, North Wagga
Bring: Swimmers, hats, sunscreen
Cost: TBA, pending new management

Further information about each session may be obtained via our Facebook site (search for Wagga BaBs), by emailing waggababs@gmail.com or calling Kirsty 0401 523 121 or Jenny 0418 205 262. Please RSVP via phone or email by 5pm on the day prior to each meeting to help with our planning.