Blog

Honest, evidence-based writing on pregnancy, birth and the early days of motherhood.

Expecting the truth: Dodging the crap online about pregnancy and birth

3 September 2024 · By Mel Howells

Not all online information about pregnancy and birth is reliable — here's how to identify information bias, evaluate sources critically, and make decisions that are genuinely right for you.

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Does my baby look big in this?!

8 August 2024 · By Mel Howells

What do those bump measurements and growth scans actually mean? An honest look at the accuracy (and limitations) of ultrasound estimates and fundal height measurements.

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Under the microscope – gestational diabetes screening in Australia

23 June 2024 · By Mel Howells

Pregnancy can sometimes feel overwhelming with the numerous screening and blood tests. This post covers what the OGTT involves, what the evidence actually says, your alternatives, and how a GDM diagnosis may affect your birth.

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Home birth or hospital birth – which is right for me?

17 June 2024 · By Mel Howells

An unbiased look at both options — from what drives Australia's lopsided statistics to the real pros and cons of each, and why the decision ultimately belongs to you.

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Birth mapping…what is it and why do I think it's bloody amazing?!

4 June 2024 · By Mel Howells

Birth mapping goes beyond traditional birth plans with a flexible, personalised approach — here's what Birth Cartography is, why it works, and how to get started.

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Delayed cord clamping is beneficial for ALL babies!

30 May 2024 · By Mel Howells

Delayed cord clamping should be the norm for every baby at every birth — here's what the evidence says about the benefits, the risks, and why some practitioners are still slow to adopt it.

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Are TENS machines worth the buzz? Perth-based midwife Laura gives us the down low!

2 February 2024 · By Mel Howells

TENS machines are a popular non-pharmacological pain management option for labour. Perth-based midwife Laura shares everything you need to know, plus her hire service details.

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"All that matters is a healthy baby!" The importance of language and why we have to be more mindful of our words

4 July 2022 · By Mel Howells

The phrase "all that matters is a healthy baby" removes women from their own birth experience — why the language we use around birth matters, and what a truly woman-centred approach looks like.

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Fanning the flames of fear – birth and the media

22 June 2022 · By Mel Howells

How much of what we know about birth comes from TV shows and news headlines? Exploring how media portrayals of childbirth perpetuate fear and limit women's knowledge of their choices.

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Birthing options in the Perth metro area: what is right for you?

30 March 2022 · By Mel Howells

A comprehensive guide to every maternity care pathway available in Perth — from home birth and the CMP to birth centres, public hospitals, private hospitals, and doulas.

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The Placenta – Simply Magical

22 March 2022 · By Mel Howells

The placenta is probably the second most fascinating thing you can grow, after your baby. Mel explores the anatomy, the science of nutrient exchange, and why so many cultures around the world hold this organ sacred.

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Breastfeeding and the #662 Movement

14 February 2022 · By Mel Howells

Melbourne midwife Amberley Harris's 662 Framework aims to support women to breastfeed for 6 weeks, 6 months exclusively, then 2 years with complementary feeding — and why the right support makes all the difference.

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