Very advanced maternal age and morbidity in Victoria, Australia: a population based study.

Background: In Australia, approximately 0.1% of births occur to women 45 years or older and this rate has been increasing in recent years. There are however, few population based studies examining perinatal outcomes among this age group.

Concerns among first year midwifery students: towards addressing attrition rates.

Since 2000, there has been a shift to undergraduate midwifery education in Australia. Midwifery students are generally highly motivated, however attrition rates remain high among first-year students. This study was undertaken in one Australian University against a background of high course demand and high student attrition.

Towards understanding the concept of risk for pregnant women: some nursing and midwifery implications.

Aims And Objectives: This paper aims to explore the concept of risk in pregnancy.

Background: Notions of risk and 'not knowing' have always surrounded pregnant women, although in the last two decades trends of increased consumer confidence and midwifery activism have together promoted a greater appreciation of pregnancy as a normal life event. At the same time, advances in pregnancy-related technologies have contributed new levels of concern related to an increasing ability to detect minor abnormalities by ultrasound.