Birth
Visit Pregnancy, Birth and Baby follow the links below to find information about childbirth.
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Last reviewed: April 2022
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Labour complications
Even if you’re healthy and well prepared for childbirth, there’s always a chance of unexpected problems. Learn more about labour complications.
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Induced labour
Induced labour is a medical treatment to start labour. It may be recommended if your baby needs to be born before labour is due to start naturally.
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Preterm labour - MyDr.com.au
Going into labour before your 37th week of pregnancy is called preterm labour, or premature labour. Find out what it means for you and your baby.
Read more on myDr website
Slow progress in labour
Slow progress in labour is also called failure to progress or prolonged labour. Read what happens when your labour doesn't go as quickly as expected.
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Pregnancy: premature labour & birth | Raising Children Network
Are you likely to be having a premature birth? Here’s all you need to know about preparing for and recovering from premature labour and birth.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Induction of Labour
Read more on RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website
Pain Relief in Labour and Childbirth
Read more on RANZCOG - Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website
Stretch and sweep
A stretch and sweep or membrane sweep is a relatively gentle way of trying to start labour.
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Interventions during labour
An ‘intervention’ is an action taken by a midwife or doctor that literally intervenes in the birthing process. Read about the different types of intervention.
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Premature birth & premature babies | Raising Children Network
This essential guide for parents of premature babies covers gestational age, premature birth risk factors, premature labour and premature development.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Top results
Intravenous prostaglandin for induction of labour | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Intravenous prostaglandin is no more efficient than intravenous oxytocin for the induction of labour but its use is associated with higher rates of maternal side-effects and uterine hyperstimulation
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Oestrogens alone or with amniotomy for cervical ripening or induction of labour | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: There were insufficient data to quantify the safety and effectiveness of oestrogen as an induction agent; they should only be used as part of randomised control trials as there are alternative effective options for inducting labour
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Third and Fourth Degree Perineal Tears Explained | Ausmed
A perineal tear occurs when the perineum - the area between the vagina and anus - is injured during childbirth. Third and fourth degree perineal tears are experienced by approximately 3% of women giving birth vaginally and 5% of women giving birth vaginally for the first time and may be serious.
Read more on Ausmed Education website
Caesarean section versus vaginal delivery for preterm birth for women with a single baby (not multiple birth) | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of a policy of planned immediate caesarean delivery for preterm babies
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Alternative magnesium sulphate regimens for women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Although strong evidence supports the use of magnesium sulphate for prevention and treatment of eclampsia, trials comparing alternative treatment regimens are too small for reliable conclusions
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Mind-body interventions during pregnancy for preventing or treating women's anxiety | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: Mind-body interventions might benefit women’s anxiety during pregnancy
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Late versus early surgical correction for congenital diaphragmatic hernia in newborn infants | Cochrane
Authors' conclusions: There is no clear evidence which favors delayed (when stabilized) as compared with immediate (within 24 hours of birth) timing of surgical repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, but a substantial advantage to either one cannot be ruled out
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Why identification is important - Pathology Tests Explained
This page aggregates information that directly links to Pathology Tests Explained
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TORCH test - Pathology Tests Explained
Why and when to get a TORCH test done
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Screening tests for infants - Pathology Tests Explained
Screening infants is important for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of certain conditions that may not have been discovered immediately at birth. Screening is performed by physical examination, usually prior to 18 months of age, to check for normal growth and development.
Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website
