Birth planning--is it beneficial to pregnant women?

The aim of this study was to investigate the experience of birth planning for pregnant women. Research in Australia and overseas has suggested that there are a number of conflicting issues with women's preparation and participation in childbirth. The researcher interviewed forty-two first time mothers in a variety of maternity settings around Victoria to ascertain the importance of birth planning in their approach to childbirth and the ways they went about making their plan and negotiating their needs with health professionals.

Postnatal unhappiness: who should direct support?

Depression following childbirth is a common, distressing but frequently underreported disorder. It involves a spectrum of symptoms, some of which may be self-limiting, while others can have major mental health implications in the post partum period. A range of health professionals, including midwives and mental health nurses, come into contact with women who suffer from postnatal depression; however, there is often little attempt made to integrate maternity and mental health care approaches.