Latest news with #birthstory
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Home births are on the rise in WA but access is limited for people who want one
Laura Incognito still remembers the feeling of sharing her birth story with her mother's group. "We went around the circle of these 12 women and a lot of them had traumatic, negative experiences in the hospital system," Ms Incognito recalled. "Some didn't, some were fine, but as soon as I said that I had a homebirth I just felt a shift in the room to judgement. She is not alone in receiving that kind of reaction to the decision to give birth at home. Eliza Huck was confident in her choice to have a home birth with her first child last year after one of her sisters, a doctor, decided to have her fourth child at home, after not great experiences in hospital with her first few births, resulting in emergency caesareans. "Everywhere, except within my family, I had people saying, 'That's so risky,'" Ms Huck told Jo Trilling on ABC Radio Perth. But perceptions about the safety of home births are slowly changing and both women are part of a growing number choosing to give birth at home. Nationally, home births — where people deliver at home under the supervision of a medical professional — are increasing and in some states such as Western Australia, the numbers have more than doubled in the past five years. There were 477 home births in WA last year, compared to 195 in 2019, according to the WA Department of Health. Although home birth numbers are increasing, they still only make up a small percentage of births, about 1.5 per cent in WA and about 0.6 per cent in Australia. Academic and private midwife Clare Davison said this increase was in part triggered during the pandemic, when there were restrictions on who could attend births in hospitals, so more women chose to stay at home. "There's also rising awareness of the impact of the medicalisation of birth," she said. "Because most women actually want to have an uncomplicated vaginal birth, with the national caesarean rate of over 35 per cent, many women feel that their chances of this are reduced if they give birth in hospital." One of the biggest misunderstandings midwives who offer home births say they encounter is that the births are unsafe. Alison Weatherstone, chief midwife at the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) said an Australian study found planned home births for low-risk pregnancies had comparable safety outcomes to hospital births, including low rates of perinatal mortality. "Intervention rates are significantly lower [in home births], c-section rates are lower and patient experience, which really matters for women, is better," Ms Weatherstone said. Nisha Khot, president-elect of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) acknowledges the increased chances of interventions in a hospital setting and says that home-birth programs for low-risk pregnancies are safe. "The research tells us that things like stillbirth, death of babies after they're born, or mothers having significant complications, are as rare in a home situation as they are in a hospital situation, so there isn't really an increased risk of outcomes from a baby's perspective or the mother's perspective," Dr Khot said. "The real risk though is needing to transfer into hospital and what the research shows us is that for women who are having their first baby [at home] around 30 per cent, so 30 out of every hundred, will need a transfer into hospital for a variety of different reasons." But Dr Khot said the majority of those women transferring to hospital would not have life-threatening circumstances. "They'll be transferred in for other things, like needing an epidural for pain relief. That's not going to make your outcomes worse," she said. "I think home birth is a very safe option if that is what you want. "It's all about choice, it's about informed consent and it's about making sure that there are pathways of escalation if required." Dr Khot points out that the research is based on women who are deemed to have low-risk pregnancies, as policies preclude those who fall into the higher-risk category, which can range from factors like pre-existing medical conditions, complex pregnancies, and maternal age. RANZCOG does not support those with high-risk pregnancies birthing at home. Ms Weatherstone also said there was evidence that women who planned a home birth were less likely to experience birth trauma, an issue that has been in the spotlight since a NSW parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma concluded last year, after receiving 4,000 submissions and holding six public hearings. Among the report's 43 recommendations was ensuring women have access to continuity of care, allowing them to see the same health professional throughout pregnancy and birth. "One of the biggest factors [in choosing home birth] is that women want continuity of care and a relationship with their caregiver," Dr Davison said. "They want to trust that care provider and know who's going to be with them during birth and know that that person knows what's important to them." Both Eliza Huck and Laura Incognito say that having the same person support them throughout pregnancy, labour and postpartum was one of the biggest driving factors in deciding to go down the home birth route. "We just knew that we were going to be working with someone who would 100 per cent be able to support us throughout our entire journey, and make us feel really safe and comfortable, and we just loved the idea of being able to do everything from the comfort of our home," Ms Incognito said. Midwives who offer home births will start seeing patients at home from about 10–13 weeks gestation. This continues regularly throughout the pregnancy, where they bring all equipment needed to the home, as well as being able to prescribe approved medications, order ultrasound scans, or make referrals as required. The home visits continue for up to six weeks after giving birth. "I built such a strong relationship with my midwife because there was never any rushing," Ms Huck said. "My midwife was with us until six weeks postpartum so when I had issues with breast-feeding she lined up a lactation consultant for me." The ACM estimates a home birth with a private midwife costs about $5,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. Medicare rebates are available for antenatal and postnatal appointments, but the birth itself is not covered and the ACM is advocating for a Medicare item number for home birth. There are publicly funded home-birth programs in every state and territory except Tasmania, where public hospitals assign a midwife to assist women in planning and having a home birth, but places are limited. There are also public hospital Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) programs, in which women deliver in hospital but are supported by the same midwife throughout pregnancy and birth. They are free to access, but availability is also limited. "While AIHW [the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare] tells us that 42 per cent of maternity services in Australia have an MGP or equivalent model, only 8–15 per cent of women birthing in Australia can access these models of care," Ms Weatherstone said. Dr Khot agrees with calls to make continuity of care more accessible, whether that be in a midwife or obstetric model and says more funding is needed, as well as boosting the workforce. "Absolutely continuity of care is the key to it. There are free continuity-of-care models, which are hospital-based, but they often exclude women who have risk factors, which I think leaves women who have any risk factors with not a lot of choices. "So I think if we are going to support women we need to have an all-risk model for continuity of care for hospitals, as well as for midwifery and medical continuity of care." Ms Weatherstone said the increased demand for home births in Australia meant government support should be extended. "There definitely needs to be an expansion of publicly funded home birth and also access to privately practising midwives in Australia to meet this demand," she said Dr Davison said she believed that if home birth was accessible to more people, the numbers would be higher. She said her phone runs so hot with people enquiring about home-birth services, that she seldom answers calls. "The demand is huge compared to the number of midwives providing home-birth services," she said. "Most women can't access a private midwife or don't have the money to pay for it. "What happens to us during birth impacts that early postnatal period and that mothering period. "If you start that journey feeling empowered, then it's going to go on into your parenting and your life."
Washington Post
08-07-2025
- Washington Post
He knows he was adopted from South Korea. The rest is a troubling mystery.
For most of his life, Aaron Grzegorczyk believed that his birth name was Cho Yong-kee. He thought he was born on April 28, 1988, in a clinic in Anyang, South Korea, about 11 miles south of Seoul. He was told that his mother, a 19-year-old unwed woman, had abandoned him a day after giving birth to him. In an initial physical exam, he was recorded as 'cute and alert.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Say a big hello to these three adorable new arrivals!
Every Monday on our New Arrivals page, we give them a big welcome to the world. If you've recently had a baby and would like to share your news with us, go to and fill in our easy-to-use Q&A. Elsie Valerie Ann Power (Image: Danielle Morgan) Elsie Valerie Ann Power was born on June 19, 2025, at The Grange University Hospital weighing 6lbs. She joins parents Danielle Morgan and Tyrone Power and seven-year-old brother Theo at home in Ebbw Vale. Ms Morgan said that Elsie is lucky to be here. Ms Morgan was booked in for a C-section for June 19, 2025, although her due date was July 2, as there had been complications with her first child. After Elsie was born, surgeons discovered Ms Morgan has been suffering with vasa praevia and velamentous cord insertion which had been unnoticed throughout the pregnancy despite having complications. She said: "This meant that if my waters had broken and it had been a natural birth, it would have been catastrophic for Elsie and potentially myself. "Elsie is so lucky to be here. She should have been delivered around 34/35 weeks if it had been picked up earlier." She added that Elsie was born 'perfect and absolutely beautiful,' and is doing 'incredibly well,' thanking the staff at the hospital. Dayton Luke Bourne (Image: Aimee Jo Thompson) Dayton Luke Bourne was born on June 18, 2025, at The Grange University Hospital weighing 5lb 8oz. He joins parents Aimee Thompson and Keiron Bourne and older sister Darcie Leigh Bourne (16) at home in Newport. It seemed that Dayton wasn't in too much of a hurry to enter the world. Ms Thompson said: "After a long three days of them trying to induce me, on the fourth day they broke my waters, then our bundle of joy came into the world at 10.30am." Layla Rose Powell (Image: Amy Powell) Layla Rose Powell was born on March 31, 2025, at The Grange University Hospital, weighing 7lb 1oz. She joins parents Amy Powell, Jake Tinklin and siblings Oscar aged six, an 18-month-old Lucas at home in Risca.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Madison LeCroy gives BIRTH! Southern Charm star details traumatic 48-hour labor and reveals second child's name
Southern Charm star Madison LeCroy confirmed the arrival of her second child and detailed her traumatic 48-hour labor story on Thursday. The reality TV fixture, 34, revealed to Us Weekly that she gave birth to a daughter named Teddi — her first child with husband Brett Randle, 38 — on Sunday, June 29. Madison named her newborn after her late father, Ted LeCroy, who died in 2023. The star is also mom to son, Hudson, 12, whom she shares with her first husband, Josh Hughes. Madison revealed that Teddi required time in the NICU after being born via C-section at just 34 weeks, which is roughly eight months into pregnancy. 'I was in labor for 48 hours basically [because] my water broke at home,' she said of the 'crazy' start to her birth experience. Madison, who is based in South Carolina, was thrown for a loop when she went into labor at 2:30 a.m. after attending a concert for her mother Tara LeCroy's birthday. At the time, her husband Randle was across the country in California for work. 'I ran upstairs, and I was like, 'Mom, I don't have anything packed,'' Madison recalled. 'It was funny 'cause me and her both were like in my closet trying to pick out what we were gonna wear to the hospital.' When she finally arrived to the hospital, Madison learned that she was one centimeter dilated. Being that she was only eight months into her pregnancy when her water broke, Madison said that the doctors tried as long as they could to delay Teddi's delivery. 'We kind of prolonged the labor and Brett got here and then we waited another day and had the C-section and there she was five minutes later,' she explained. After spending 48 hours in labor, Madison was forced to send Teddi to the NICU for 'a few days' because it is hospital 'protocol' for premature babies. 'She's a little. She's only five pounds, but she's breathing on her own and hasn't needed any oxygen or anything like that,' Madison shared. 'She's kind of a little trooper.' Madison said that her doctors were 'shocked with how early she was that she was gonna be this independent. So I was like, "Oh, I wasn't shocked at all."' Madison then shared what music she listened to during her C-section. 'My doctor, she's amazing. And at this point she was, like, a friend, and we were sitting there talking and we were like, "What's the playlist gonna be for this?"' Madison recalled to Us Weekly. 'And we were joking around, we're like, "Girl power, let's go Taylor Swift." So we did, we rocked out to Taylor Swift during the surgery. 'So that's what she was born to. Now don't ask me what song, because at that point I don't have no idea. But yeah, girl mode all the way.' In order to feel and look her best for Teddi's early arrival, Madison said she called in her glam squad last-minute. 'This is even crazier. Once I got [to the hospital] and I realized I didn't even have, like, a toothbrush, I ended up having like my glam come to me,' she shared. 'I did a blowout and then I did a little fast face, like, makeup natural with one of my girls.' Madison also spoke to PageSix about her newborn daughter and her reasoning for naming her after her late father, Ted. She said that she wanted her dad's name to 'live on through [her] baby,' adding, 'We might as well just make the name continue to grow.' In regards to Teddi's arrival, she told the outlet that her and Randle are 'super excited and just living in pure bliss at the moment. It doesn't even feel real.' Madison and her husband, who have married since November 2022 when they tied the knot in Mexico, shared the happy news that they were expecting in February. 'And just like that... our world is changing in the most magical way! ✨ Seeing 'Pregnant' on this @clearbluetest was the best moment of our lives. We can't wait to meet you, little one,' she captioned her Instagram post announcing the news. The reality TV star said she was 'shocked' when her pregnancy test came back positive. 'Honestly, when Brett and I were making this plan of growing our family, I was like, 'Okay, we've got to make this as easy as possible,'' she shared with People. 'So I actually started using the Clearblue ovulation test, and I got a smiley face. Once we got the smiley face, we were like, 'Okay, it's go time,' and it instantly happened.' 'I was shocked, I thought I had all summer long, but it happened and I felt actually pretty great other than some minor headaches,' LeCroy continued. 'But other than that, just eating all the food and enjoying myself.' The good news comes after Brett's diagnosis with thyroid cancer and the death of her father in 2023. 'I honestly was pinching myself because I hadn't heard good news in it felt like the last two years, so to hear something that was so positive and something that we've been wanting and looking forward to was just super exciting,' she shared. 'And of course, everybody in our family and everybody was rooting for us.' She shared how excited she is, saying she's so happy to finally share the news with her fans. 'I'm ecstatic. I just can't get enough. I'm so glad to finally be able to talk about it, she said. 'I've been in hiding for too long, and so I'm excited to be able to show the bump off.' Madison shared that the first person she told about her pregnancy was her 'best friend,' her son Hudson. He was my first one that I told,' she shared. 'And yeah, he was excited. Obviously, at first he's like, 'Eh.' 'And then we recently got a puppy, so he goes, 'Actually I really love caring, so might as well.' I was like, 'Okay. This is going to be way different, but okay,'' Since it's been 12 years since she had her first baby, LeCroy explained that things are a bit different this time around. 'It's the total opposite than what I experienced at 22 years old,' she explained. I had the glowing skin and I had all that, and this is the opposite. 'I'm exhausted, full-blown adult acne, and didn't lose any weight at the beginning, versus [with] Hudson, I was starting off in a negative. So I can just tell it's a 12-year difference.'
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Steph Claire Smith makes very graphic birth admission in shock podcast episode - after welcoming her second child with husband Josh Miller
Steph Claire Smith went into very graphic detail on Monday as she shared her birth story with KICPOD listeners. The influencer, 31, welcomed her second child, a baby girl named Billie Claire Miller, with her husband Josh Miller on May 28. Now, the online sensation has revealed with co-host Laura Henshaw the intense moment she was 'on all fours' giving birth, prepared for her body to 'poo' and tear'. 'I started pushing. I cannot even explain how it felt but it was wildly different to having an epidural,' she began, explaining she had a local anaesthetic with her son Harvey. 'I was on all fours this time. I was just pushing everything. I was like, "I'm 100 per cent going to tear, I'm 100 per cent going to poo. I just need this baby out."' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She went on to tell her recently pregnant co-star Laura: 'I sounded like a dying cow. A screaming, dying cow.' Steph and husband Josh welcomed their second child late last month, sharing the exciting news to Instagram as they revealed her name was Billie. 'She's here,' wrote Steph, who also shares four-year-old son Harvey with her partner. 'Billie Claire Miller joined us on Wednesday & we're so in love. So excited to take her home to her big brother.' Alongside the sweet caption, the KICPOD co-host posted a gallery of black and white photos to commemorate the important occasion. One image saw Steph cuddling the bub as she breastfed. In another, she and Josh doted on their bundle of joy, who they dressed in an adorable onesie and white beanie. The final picture in the reel saw Steph cradling her daughter to her chest as she smiled up at the camera. Steph announced in November she was expecting her second child. The Australian fitness influencer took to Instagram to share the joyous news at the time. Steph, who often features her son Harvey in her social media posts, announced the news with a series of black and white photos. In the images, which were also shared by her husband Josh, Steph showed off her baby bump while wearing a skimpy bikini. Son Harvey, husband Josh, and the family's dog were all gathered around Steph in the pictures. In one other image, all members of the family put their hands on her bump. Later, in a wider shot, the family was shown celebrating the new arrival in a park, with Steph shown wearing a straw cowboy hat. Josh was also seen in the foreground smiling at the news in sunglasses and a baseball cap, while their puppy licked Steph's bump. In the caption, the influencer wrote: 'Harvey's going to be a big brother.' Steph and Josh tied the knot in November 2019 in a festival-themed ceremony along the Murray River. They got married exactly one year after getting engaged at the same location. The happy couple went on to welcome their first child Harvey in May 2021.
