Parent Resources
Pregnancy and birth involve a lot of choices, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. This resource brings together evidence from trusted Australian sources and research so you can understand the interventions commonly used in pregnancy and birth—what they are, why they might be used, and what the evidence says about their outcomes.
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RESEARCH ARTICLES
The Evidence on: Due Dates, Evidence Based Birth
The Evidence on: Inducing at 41 Weeks or Later, the companion article (new suggestion)
BLOG POSTS
Induction of Labour for Prolonged Pregnancy, Dr Rachel Reed (her title on the new site)
Why your estimated due date might need a rethink, Dr Sara Wickham
PODCASTS
The Great Birth Rebellion, Ep 3: Due dates https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2147779088
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RESEARCH ARTICLES
New call to review gestational diabetes screening (RACGP newsGP, 2022)
Probiotics for preventing gestational diabetes (Cochrane, 2021)
BLOG POSTS
Induction for gestational diabetes: what’s the evidence?
Gestational Diabetes: beyond the label
PODCASTS
The Great Birth Rebellion, Ep 98: Gestational diabetes screening
Episode 18 - Gestational diabetes screening and diagnosis
The Midwives' Cauldron: Gestational diabetes, the pregnancy perspective
The Midwives' Cauldron: Gestational diabetes, the baby's perspective
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Routine vaginal examinations in labour (Cochrane, 2022)
BLOG POST
VBAC: making a mountain out of a molehill
RESEARCHERS
PODCASTS
https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148668424
https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149052651
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RESEARCH ARTICLES
Nuchal cords: Sharing the evidence with parents (Reed, Barnes & Allan, British Journal of Midwifery, 2009)
BLOG POSTS
Nuchal Cords: the perfect scapegoat (Dr Rachel Reed)
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RESEARCH ARTICLES
Routine vaginal examinations in labour (Cochrane, 2022)
The correlation between the number of vaginal examinations during active labor and febrile morbidity, a retrospective cohort study (BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2020)
BLOG POSTS
Vaginal Examinations: stuck on the cervix (Dr Rachel Reed)
Can I say no to vaginal examination? (Dr Sara Wickham, new suggestion)
Evidence on Prenatal Checks at the End of Pregnancy (Evidence Based Birth)
PODCASTS
The Great Birth Rebellion, Ep 10: Vaginal Examinations
The Great Birth Rebellion, Ep 148: Why do they put their fingers in your vagina?
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RESEARCH ARTICLES
Dr Kirsten Small's fetal monitoring publications
Intrapartum cardiotocograph monitoring and perinatal outcomes for women at risk: Literature review (Women & Birth, 2020)
Informed Fetal Monitoring for Labour (O&G Magazine, 2024)
Unintended consequences of a central fetal monitoring system (Midwifery, 2021)
BLOG POSTS
Birth Small Talk, her free blog with plain-language CTG information
PODCASTS
The Great Birth Rebellion Episode 12 - CTG - do you need it?
The Great Birth RebellionEpisode 112 - Is CTG in pregnancy beneficial?
The Great Birth Rebellion Episode 114 - Is CTG ever beneficial?
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What it is: Medical or mechanical methods to start labour, usually when there's a risk to baby or mother.
Why it’s done: Post-term pregnancy, high blood pressure, reduced fetal movements, or medical conditions.
Australian data:Overall induction rates: ~30% of births.
Instrumental birth among induced labours: approximately 18–25%, versus 10–15% in spontaneous labours.
Combining induction + epidural can further raise the chance of instrumental birth.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/induction-adverse-outcomes/
Australia's mothers and babies report 2022
BLOG POSTS
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What it is:
A surgical cut made in the perineum during birth to widen the vaginal opening.Why it’s done:
To prevent severe tearing or help deliver the baby quickly if needed.Evidence & Stats (Australia):
Routine episiotomy is not recommended
Rates are ~15–20% for first-time mothers.
Can increase postpartum pain and recovery time if done unnecessarily
RESEARCH
https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/january-february/perineal-tears-a-review
PODCASTS
https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148567888
https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148573214