About one in five babies are now delivered in this manner. There are obvious situations where a Caesarean section is the only choice for the obstetrician. These include a baby that is presenting side on instead of head first, a placenta that is over the birth canal, a severely ill mother, a distressed [...]

If a baby is slow in coming through the birth canal, or becomes stuck, it is necessary to ensure that the baby is delivered as quickly as possible, often within a few seconds. In these situations forceps or a vacuum device (ventouse) may be attached to the baby’s head. Forceps may also be used to [...]

Course :
Early stages
You notice that you have lost some fluid, as you have ruptured the membranes around the baby, and labour should start very soon. The Branxton-Hicks contractions (the contractions that occur in the last six weeks or so of pregnancy) wake you more than usual. Soon after the membranes rupture you can feel the [...]

Other names :
Labour, confinement, accouchment.

Types :
May be natural through the vagina, interventional through the vagina (eg: forceps, ventouse), or interventional by Caesarean section. Other rarely used techniques exist.

Investigations :
Ultrasound probes monitor the baby’s heart rate during labour. Monitors may also check the mother’s blood pressure and pulse.

Complications :
Birth is a very natural act, [...]

Other names :
Carcinoma of the cervix

Introduction :
Cancer of the cervix, which is where the womb (uterus) opens into the vagina.

Cause :
Cancer of the cervix is more common in women who have multiple sexual partners, and much more common in women who have been infected with the human pappiloma virus, which causes genital warts. [...]

Baby’s first feeding routine
A flexible routine is required. No two babies are the same and a baby will not necessarily conform to a mothers’ schedule or indeed to the anticipated four hourly pattern.

Baby should feed often and be comfortable at the breast.
Feeding times vary in the first few weeks at between six to eight times [...]

Why is breastfeeding considered the preferable method for feeding a newborn?

Breast milk is a complex and living fluid and discoveries continue to be made about its unique properties.

Breastfeeding is considered the best start in life because it:

Provides all the nutrients in the ideal [...]

1. Exercise regularly
Getting regular exercise can substantially lower the risks of breast cancer, according to a dozen studies in recent years. Exercise lowers total oestrogen levels, increases good oestrogen and helps to control weight and boosts immune function.
2. Avoid Xeno-oestrogens
Minimise your exposure to chemical oestrogens from petrochemicals, pesticides and pollutants and unnecessary exposure to [...]

Eat for health
Increase your intake of phyto-oestrogens: soy products are a good source; 300ml of soya milk or 100g of tofu per day (from non-genetically modified/organic sources) are recommended.
Minimise your consumption of xeno-oestrogens by choosing chemical-free/organic foods and avoiding foods stored in plastic containers or packaging.
Limit your intake of the following [...]

Breast Cancer Prevention
In Australia, one woman in eleven will get breast cancer, a disease that kills more Australian women than any other form of cancer; 25 new cases are diagnosed every day. Genetic factors play a major role in only a minority of these (only 1-5% of all breast cancers are due to [...]