R E S O U R C E S
How to use this page: Open the Search/Find tool in your browser (Ctrl+F), type in the key word you seek information on (e.g. “epidural”), and filter through the results.
Books
Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage - Dr Rachel Reed
In your Own Time - Dr Sara Wickham
The Discontented Little Baby Book - Dr Pamela Douglas
What’s Right for Me? - Dr Sara Wickham
The Fourth Trimester - Kimberly Ann Johnson
Birth with Confidence - Rhea Dempsey
Give Birth like a Feminist - Milli Hill
Gentle Birth Gentle Mothering - Sarah Buckley
Born to Breastfeed – Rowena Gray
Positive Breastfeeding Book – Prof Amy Brown (also available on Audible)
Breastfeeding Doesn’t Need to Suck – Dr Kathleen Kendall-Tackett
The Book You Wish Your Parents Read – Phillipa Perry (also available on Audible)
Birth Preparation quick resources + videos
"Pathway to a Healthy Birth: How to Help Your Hormones Do Their Wonderful Work" - Amazing booklet of Scientific information about hormones in labour & birth and how to help the process. Also Pathway to a Healthy Birth Diagram summary
Reframing birth - TED Talk by Nicola Goodall (9 min)
Surrender is Not a Dirty Word - TED Talk by Pinky McKay (17 min)
‘How to have an epic labour’: Core and Floor Restore
Penny Simkin YouTube Channel - so many great videos including coping measures, role of support people, tips on epidurals in labour.
Labour tips for birth partners: Australian Birth Stories
Hamish Blake’s Gems of Wisdom for dads during birth
What Would Happen If Sex Was Interfered With The Way Birth Is Interfered With? - Two short videos on the impact of uncomfortable environments on oxytocin
Breathing exercises: Australian Birth Stories
Attitudes to pain - Rhea Dempsey talking about reframing ideas of pain
Childbirth Education Classes - Online
Core & Floor Restore - 8 FREE installments of birth and parenting education by a private Australian midwife. Watch anytime and at your own pace.
About Birth - video-based birth education classes, a leading Australian company. Six modules comprising 55 videos and 14 resources, $85 total cost.
Positive Birth Company - UK-based online hypnobirthing course, approx $65AUD.
Belly Belly - course is $47. They also have a free Pregnancy Week by Week email with info relevant to where you are in pregnancy.
The Purpose of Childbirth Pain - Audio by Rhea Dempsey (free).
Pelvic Floor, Physio, Osteo
“G.Lorri” Gabrielle Brennan - Labour Bodywork sessions in Malvern East. Release tension to ease pain and prevent fetal malpositioning during labour.
Fiona Hallinan’s Internal Pelvic Release - sessions in Clifton Hill. Assessment and massage of uterus and pelvic floor to release deep tension prior to labour.
Melbourne Pregnancy and Pelvic Physio (MPPP) - appointments in Pascoe Vale, Essendon, Maribyrnong
Core and Floor Restore - online physio advice/classes
Physio Laura - free and paid pregnancy physio classes/courses
Pelvic Health Melbourne - appointments in Altona, Moonee Ponds, Keilor
Healthy Pregnancy Physiotherapy - Kensington or Telehealth
Stephanie Trembath Osteopathy - Moonee Ponds
Growing Bones Physiotherapy - Yarraville
Bump and Bub Osteo - Geelong
Food, Nutrition and Supplements
Vitamins and Nutrients in Pregnancy - article
Real Food for Pregnancy - book by Lily Nichols RDN (first chapter free via website)
Iron in Pregnancy - article
Nutrition Australia - booklet for pregnancy
Importance of Folate in Pregnancy
The Brewer Diet
Plus Size Pregnancy: what the evidence really says about higher BMI and birth - book by Sara Wickham
Plus Size and BMI: full list of resources for pregnancy - Sara Wickham
The First Forty Days - Heng Ou
Real Food for Mother and Baby (The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two and Baby’s First Food) - Nina Planck
Oral iron: Maltofer tablets or liquid
L. Reuteri RC14 & L. Rhamnosus GR1 - the probiotic strains to reduce chance of GBS colonisation
Antenatal Expression of Colostrum
Video: How to Express your First Milk (Global Health Media)
All Things Antenatal Hand Expression - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Storing EBM - Australian Breastfeeding Association guide
Group B Strep + the GBS swab
Group B Strep - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast ep
The GBS Swab: Evidence and Stats article by EBB
Group B Strep Explained - book by Dr Sara Wickham
Probiotic strains to reduce chance of GBS colonisation: L. Reuteri RC14 & L. Rhamnosus GR1
Growth Ultrasounds, Big/Small Babies
“Big” Babies and the Risk of Care Provider Fear - Midwife Thinking article
Small Babies, Big Babies - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast episode
The problem with ‘induction for big babies’ logic - article by Dr Sara Wickham
Shoulder Dystocia: the Real Story - Midwife Thinking article
Shoulder Dystocia: the evidence? - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast episode
Pre-Labour Rupture of Membranes (PROM)
PROM Inductions at Term - Evidence Based Birth article
PROM: Impatience and Risk - Midwife Thinking article
Pre-Labour Rupture of Membranes: the evidence - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Birth Trauma and Family Counselling
Family Foundations Program by Merri Health - 10 free sessions with a “parent coach” who works with the family to thrive as parents. In your home or online
Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA) - Organisation that works with women/families who have experienced traumatic births.
Birth Debrief and Perinatal Counselling with Rhea Dempsey - for individuals or couples
Birth Debriefs with B from Core and Floor Restore
Counselling in Pregnancy - Fertile Ground
Research Findings on Factors Influencing Birth Trauma (women and partners)- Midwife Thinking article
Settling your Baby
Raising Children Network Extensive resource library (articles, videos) on bathing, dressing, holding, settling, bonding with baby, tips for dads + more
Baby Sleep Info Source (BASiS) - Research evidence-based information about biologically normal sleep for babies
Baby on Board - Book by Dr Howard Chilton
The Discontented Little Baby - Book by Dr Pamela Douglas
How to Hold a Baby - for dads
The Wonder Weeks - Book by Frans X. Plooij and Hetty van de Rij, information about infant development & what to expect. Plus The Wonder Weeks App
Newborn Vitamin K and Hepatitis B
Seven things every parent needs to know about vitamin K - Dr Sara Wickham article
Vitamin K at Birth: the evidence - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast ep
Hep B Vaccination at Birth - article by MAMA
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)
Birth after Caesarean - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Interview with Dr Hazel Keedle - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
VBAC Evidence / Supporting Women Having a VBAC - interactive workbook
VBAC Facts.com
@HazelKeedle on Instagram
Pregnancy + Birth Photography
Bree Downes (Melbourne): Pregnancy, birth, newborn, family
Hilary Walker (Melbourne)
Free Apps
WonderWeeks
Cot to Bed Safety - Red Nose safe sleeping
Mind the Bump – Mindfulness
Mum2mum – Breastfeeding info
Huckleberry - Breastfeeding & nappy tracker
Pelvic Floor First – Free, pelvic floor info + exercises
FeedSafe - Alcohol and breastfeeding
Movies
Birth Time - use code CICADA20 for 20% off
The Face of Birth (2012) - Documentary examining the current political climate of maternity care in Australia.
Babies (2020) - Netflix Docuseries exploring the groundbreaking science on how infants discover life in their first year.
Microbirth (2014) - Documentary exploring emerging research into the connection between birth + the human microbiome
In Utero
Why Not Home
The Big Stretch
These Are My Hours
Orgasmic Birth
The Lottery of Birth
The Milky Way
Heal
A Breech in the System
Childbirth Education Classes - Face to Face (Melbourne)
MAMA Birth - Kensington
- Education classes by private midwives, several varieties (including Classic, Refresher, VBAC and Caesarean, and a Newborn/Child First Aid course).
- MAMA also has a number of allied health services at their centre in Kensington e.g. yoga classes, chiropractor, massage, lactation consultants (including free drop in breastfeeding clinic).
Di Diddle - Fitzroy. Focus on physiological birth.
Melbourne Lactation - Antenatal breastfeeding classes, postnatal home visits
Rhea Dempsey's 'Embracing the Intensity' Workshop
- $520 per couple in-person or $440 online.
- Runs 5 times/year.
The Positive Birth Company - Group Classes or 1:1 Coaching
Hypnobirthing Melbourne - $650, focus on labour + hypnobirthing techniques
Breastfeeding Education classes - ABA
Positive Birth Hypnobirthing GEELONG - $595
Intervention Stats and the Medicalisation Spectrum
The Medicalisation Spectrum and choosing your model of care - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
The Herstory of Modern Birth Practices - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Australian Mothers and Babies stats 2022 - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast episode, dissecting the most recent Australian Mothers and Babies report and the reality of our maternity system
Australian Mothers and Babies Report 2022 - Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare
Labour ‘Stages’, Progression and the Cervix
The Labour Process - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Early Labour - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
The Hormones of Labour - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Assessing Labour Progress - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Vaginal Examinations - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Vaginal Examinations - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Vaginal examinations: a symptom of cervical-centric birth culture - Midwife Thinking article
”My Beautiful Cervix” Photography
Pushing, ‘Second Stage’ and the Perineum
Perineal Bungles - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
The Perineal Bundle - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Pushing and Cervixes - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Pushing Out your Baby - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Discussing Perineal Protectors - Midwife Thinking article
Perineal ‘Bungles’ and Midwifery - Midwife Thinking article
All Things Clitoris - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
The Placenta
Third Stage: Active vs Expectant Management - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
How the Placenta is Birthed - video by Dr Rachel Reed
Physiological Placenta Birth - article by Dr Sarah Buckley
Unusual Cord Insertions and evidence - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Breastfeeding Videos
Breastfeeding Basics - short video
Types of Breastmilk - short video
BASICS FOR BREASTFEEDING - a brilliant video of the Possums breastfeeding techniques by BirthSpace
“How to Recognise When a Baby is Drinking Well” - short video by Lucy Webber IBCLC
Global Health Media - videos on attachment and supply, multiple languages
Raising Children’s Network - Positioning and Baby-Led Attachment Technique videos
Kathryn Stagg IBCLC - informative Instagram videos
Lucy Webber IBCLC - educational Facebook videos
The Breastfeeding Companion - Youtube Channel
Breastfeeding Supports
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) - The centre of excellence for info. Free ABA 24/7 helpline
Breastfeeding Education classes - ABA
Breastfeeding: The Early Days - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Dr Pamela Douglas - evidence based articles on breastfeeding
The Thompson Method
The Milk Meg - LC Meg Nagel
How to Know your Breastfed Baby is getting Enough Milk - two-page resource and input/output diary
The Risks of Formula / of Not Breastfeeding - leaflet
Breastfeeding and Formula Supplementation: The Traps and Escapes - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Low Milk Supply and Rebuilding - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Basics of Breastfeeding - booklets available in multiple languages
Mastitis info sheet - Australian Birth Stories
Australian Breastfeeding Project – support group on Facebook
Australian Breastfeeding Cooperative – support group on Facebook
Top tips for supporting a breastfeeding mum (without feeding the baby) - Little Sparklers article
Induction of Labour
Induction: A Step-by-Step Guide - Midwife Thinking article
“Ten things I wish every woman knew about induction of labour” - article by Dr Sara Wickham
Induction of Labour from the Baby’s Perspective - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast episode
Induction: An Interview with Sara Wickham - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast episode
Why Induction Matters - book by Dr Rachel Reed
In your Own Time - book by Dr Sara Wickham
Induction increases chance of caesarean - article by Dr Sara Wickham (also here)
Induction associated with more adverse outcomes and no reduction in stillbirth - article by Dr Sara Wickham
Routine induction in healthy women not supported by evidence - article by Dr Sara Wickham (see also Induction of labour and avoidable harm)
Are there good reasons to induce labour? - article by Dr Sara Wickham
Mental Health
PANDA - Free Helpline and Factsheets + a free telephone support line
Mum's Matter Psychology - fully bulk-billed counselling sessions
COPE - Centre of Perinatal Excellence
COPE Directory - Search for a specialised psychologist near you
Overcoming Parental Burnout - $30 online webinar (course over 12 weeks)
Taming the Rage - $15 online webinar (1 hour)
The Gidget Foundation
Beyond Blue
SANDS - 24/7 Support for Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Safe Steps - 24/7 Family Violence Response Centre
SIDS + Safe Sleeping
Safe Sleeping - Red Nose information hub
Co-Sleeping - Red Nose guide
How to Co-Sleep Safely - the environment
The Beyond Sleep Training Project - Facebook group
BASiS infant sleep - Resources for parents
SIDs, Bed Sharing and Anthropology - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Co-sleeping (Bed-sharing) Image Archive - by BASiS
Downloadable safe sleep fact sheets - multiple languages
Newborn/Children’s First Aid Course - MAMA Kensington, $90
Normal Newborn Behaviour, Neuroprotective Development
Realistic Expectations of Infant Sleep - Little Sparklers article
Is Infant Sleep a ‘Skill’? - 3 minute video on the basics of newborn sleep
Top tips for supporting a breastfeeding mum (without feeding the baby) - Little Sparklers article
Infant Sleep! - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Conscious Parenting Movement - Facebook group
Beginning your Journey Beyond Sleep Training - Downloadable Workbook
Newborn Cues video - What is baby trying to tell you?
Baby Sign Language video
Starting Solids
Purple Crying
Infant Toileting
Massage and Acupuncture
BRUNSWICK: Brunswick Acupuncture Pregnancy
FITZROY: Fertile Ground
WEST MELBOURNE - Qi Medicine Acupuncture
NORTH MELBOURNE: Melbourne Acupuncture Wellness
KENSINGTON: MAMA Pregnancy Massage
HEIDELBURG: Eastern Vitality
ESSENDON: Natural Harmony - Acupuncture for Pregnancy and Postpartum
WILLIAMSTOWN: Three Lanterns Acupuncture
GEELONG: Natural Fertility Clinic
Facebooks
The Beyond Sleep Training Project
Birth Trauma Awareness
Homebirth Group Australia
Natural Hospital Birthing
Badass Mother Birther
The Positive Birth Movement
Conscious Parenting Movement
Kathryn Stagg IBCLC: Evidence-Based Breastfeeding
Lucy Webber IBCLC - great breastfeeding videos/info
Australian Breastfeeding Project
Australian Breastfeeding Cooperative – support group
Podcasts
The Great Birth Rebellion
The Midwives’ Cauldron
Evidence-Based Birth
The Red Tent
Mount Isa Birth Stories
Australian Birth Stories
The Midwitch
The Birth Hour
The Circle of Birth
The ObsPod
Doing It At Home
Pregnancy Birth and Beyond
Taking Back Birth
The Aware Parenting Podcast
How Other Dads Dad with Hamish Blake
· Nurture Hub pregnancy, birth and parenting
Movement and Positioning
Spinning Babies: Daily Activities to do in pregnancy to encourage baby into an optimal position
The Miles Circuit - stretches to align baby and bring on labour at term
Pregnancy & Labour Stretch Guide booklet by G.Lorri
Pregnancy Yoga classes - MAMA Kensington
5 Postural/Alignment Habits for a Better Birth
Moving Well During Pregnancy - Nutritious Movement
Spinning Babies Techniques:
Forward-leaning Inversion: Video demonstration and Detailed information about what it helps with + how to do it
Side-Lying release: Video demonstration and Detailed information
Rebozo Sifting/Jiggling: Video demonstration and Detailed information
Fetal Monitoring, the CTG
CTG with Dr Kirsten Small - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Listening to Babies During Labour - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
The Evidence on Fetal Monitoring - Evidence Based Birth article
Intermittent Auscultation or CTG: Making an Informed Decision - The Conversation article
Pain Relief Decisions
Waterbirth evidence - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Epidurals and Oxytocin: An Interview with Dr Sarah Buckley - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast ep
Pain, Oxytocin and Attachment – Rhea Dempsey podcast ep
Epidural: Risks and Concerns for Mother and Baby - article by Dr Sarah Buckley
Relationship between Epidurals and Fetal Compromise - article by Obstetrician Dr Kirsten Small
Link between Epidurals and Caesarean Section - article by Obstetrician Dr Kirsten Small
The Pros and Cons of the Epidural - Video by Penny Simkin
Natural and Pharmacological Pain Relief in Labour - The Women’s
TENS Machines
Leaflet - TENS machine info and FAQ
$75, for 6-8 weeks hire, free postage: blissbirth.com.au
$125: tensaustralia.com/labor-hire
$65, for 6 weeks: healthypregnancy.com.au/tens
Skin to Skin
Things they don't tell you about skin-to-skin contact! - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast
Top 10 Benefits of Skin to Skin - article
Importance of Skin to Skin with Dad - article
What Happens During Skin to Skin: The Evidence
10 Myths of Kangaroo Care
Evidence for Skin to Skin after Caesarean - article
Lactation Consultants and Breastfeeding clinics:
LCANZ - Find a local lactation consultant
Maternal Infant Wellbeing Melbourne (MIWM) - Specialist centre in Parkville run by Dr Amber Hart (GP and IBCLC). Includes Lactation Consultation, Paediatrician, GP, Physio, Osteo, Psychologist, day spa, naturopathy, sleep & settling. Option for one-off session or 7-hour day stay, significant Medicare rebates.
Her Luminary Lactation - Amy Sherer IBCLC
Melbourne Lactation - breastfeeding classes and postnatal home visits
Geelong Born - Breastfeeding Classes Geelong, VIC
FREE Breastfeeding drop-in clinics:
Melton City Council VIC free drop-in breastfeeding Service - ph: 9747 5462 or email: lactation@melton.vic.gov.au
Wyndham Council VIC free breastfeeding support service
MAMA Kensington - Lactation Clinic and weekly free breastfeeding drop in sessions
Breastfeeding Equipment
Due Dates and ‘Post-Dates’
Due Dates - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
The Evidence on Inducing for Post-Dates - Evidence Based Birth article
Post-Dates Induction of Labour: Balancing Risks - Midwife Thinking article
Do stillbirth rates actually increase after 41 weeks? New evidence - article by Dr Sara Wickham
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes: The Pregnancy Perspective - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast episode
Gestational Diabetes: the Baby’s Perspective - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast episode
Induction of labour for gestational diabetes not supported by evidence - article by Dr Sara Wickham
Gestational Diabetes: Beyond the Label - Midwife Thinking article by Dr Rachel Reed
Gestational Diabetes - Evidence Based Birth article
An Interview with Dietician Lily Nichols - The Midwives’ Cauldron podcast episode
Real Food for Gestational Diabetes - book by Lily Nichols RDN
Gestational Diabetes screening process and flaws - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast episode
Mental Health for Dads + Non-Birthing Parents
MensLine - free professional 24/7 telephone, SMS or video counselling support for men and fathers
PANDA Dads - free national helpline for perinatal mental health (both mums and dads): Monday to Saturday 9am-7:30pm
SMS4DADS service - free text messages with support, info & tips
Family Foundations, a free relationship counselling service for expecting parents - 10 sessions in your own home
COPE articles and resources on fatherhood mental health, including Depression in Fathers
How is Dad Going? - PANDA info and real life stories from dads with PNAD
Fathers’ Day: Interview with five dads about their experience of birth - podcast ep by Australian Birth Stories
Gidget Foundation - articles and communities on fatherhood wellbeing, including stories from dads
The Fatherhood, and Direct Advice for Dads - Virtual communities created by dads, for dads
Beyond Blue New Dads Stress Test (anonymous questionnaire)
PANDA’s Mental Health Checklist for dads and expecting parents (anonymous questionnaire)
Birth Videos
Jinti Fell Birth
Unassisted Home Water Birth
Beautiful Outdoor Homebirth During COVID-19
Raw and Emotional Homebirth | Peaceful Waterbirth | Family Centered Birth
Birth of Deva
Positive Homebirth
The Homebirth of Lusia
Kim Newing
Birth in Squatting Position
Sarah Schmid
Tatum’s Birth
Birth of Te Puhi
Twins + Multiples
Twin Pregnancy and Birth with Dr Stuart Fischbein - The Great Birth Rebellion podcast
Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA) - organisation for awareness and equality for multiple-birth families
Mums of Multiples Australia - Facebook Support Group
Moms of Twins Support Network - Facebook Group
Instagrams
@badassmotherbirther
@KathrynStaggIBCLC
@MelanieTheMidwife
@g.lorri.labourbodywork
@LucyWebberFeedingSupport_IBCLC
@BabyBirthStatsVIC
@LilyNicholsRDN
@positivebirthmovement
@CoreandFloorRestore
@thenakeddoula
@ThePelvicHealth_Osteo
@DrSaraWickham
@Evidencebasedmidwife
@birthbecomesyou
@midwifeangelina
@shebirths
@empoweredbirthproject
@sage.birthing
@boobtofood
@theawareparentingpodcast
@matrescence.podcast