Birth information from Australia
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/maternity/- an information resource for women in Victoria, and the health care professionals who provide their maternity care.
http://www.pregnancy.com.au - an up-to-date and extensive source of information and support for pregnancy, birth and parenting.
http://www.maternitycoalition.org.au - is a national non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian consumer advocacy organisation. MC acts as an umbrella organisation to bring together support groups and individuals for effective lobbying, information sharing, networking and support in maternity services. Mothers and midwives working together for better maternity care in Australia. Please join!
http://www.bubhub.com.au - The bub hub website – a comprehensive resource directory for pregnancy, birth and beyond.
http://www.maternitycoalition.org.au/mippslist.html - a list of independent midwives.
Some independent midwives have their own websites, where you will find information about their services, birth stories and other useful links.
http://www.midwivesnaturally.com.au/ - Jennie Teskey, Clare Lane, Helen Brown, Nicola Dutton, Melbourne
www.aitex.com.au/joy.htm - Joy Johnson, Blackburn, Melbourne
http://www.birth-wise.com - Kim Stead, Maffra area, Victoria
www.melbmidwifery.com.au – Robyn Thompson, Alton, Melbourne
Informed Choice
What does evidence-based maternity care mean?
“Evidence-based maternity care” means using the best research about the safety and effectiveness of specific tests, treatments, and other interventions to help guide maternity care decisions.
http://www.childbirthconnection.org - website of the UK initiative from the Maternity Center Association to promote evidence-based maternity care. Also features an online copy of ‘A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth’, Enkin et al.(2000), which details the ‘gold standard’ in evidence based maternity care.
http://www.infochoice.org/ic/ic.nsf/welcome_consumer?openform - a comprehensive set of 21 leaflets providing information about key decisions facing parents during pregnancy, birth and afterwards.
http://www.aims.org.uk - Association for Improvements in Maternity Services website, though based in the UK, provides information about maternity choices, and current research on childbirth issues.
Caesarean Birth
http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk/csgood.htm - how to plan a good caesarean birth.
http://www.ican-online.org – resources and support for women planning a vaginal birth after a caesarean.
http://www.birthrites.edsite.com.au - aims to provide a support network for women who’ve had a previous c/section(s), and to increase the awareness of these women’s needs to their health-carers within the medical profession.
Home birthing
http://www.homebirthsydney.org.au - lots of information on homebirth and natural childbirth.
http://www.joyousbirth.info/forums - A group of Australian homebirthers, midwives, birth attendants and doulas, providing support, sharing knowledge, experience and the company of those who believe in gentle birth.
http://www.homebirth.org.uk - A UK based reference site. Research based evidence about the safety of homebirth, information and support.
Breastfeeding
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au - Website of the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
http://www.naturalbreastfeedingsecrets.com - FREE “20 tips to painfree breastfeeding” ebook *FREE* and breastfeeding instructional video.
http://www.lalecheleague.org - Website of the La Leche League, who provide mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education.
Parenting
http://www.pinky-mychild.com - Pinky McKay’s website, with information, resources and great links for new parents.
http://www.essentialbaby.com – Australia’s busiest online parenting community. Includes a forum for Australian home birthers.
http://www.naturalparenting.com.au/npm/ - Natural Parenting Melbourne is a new city-wide network of families and professionals aiming to support, educate and celebrate the diversity of natural choices available to families as they journey their way through pregnancy, birth and ongoing parenthood.
www.bbf.org.au - Bonnie Babies Foundation supports families who have experienced pregnancy loss. It undertakes medical research projects, counselling for bereaved families, a 24 hour, 7 day per week grief counselling helpline in Australia. The Foundation also assists in education to health professionals.
http://bellybelly.com.au/home/ - An Australian website providing real-life, gentle solutions for conception, pregnancy, birth and baby, all in the one place.
http://www.alternativebaby.net - Attachment, instinctive, conscious & informed
parenting information and support.