Obstetrician. Geelong. One half of podcast Pregnancy Uncut exploring real stories of pregnancy and birth.
Geelong, Victoria
Joined August 2012
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Women cannot make informed choices if they are not informed. 'Information provision on material risks at birth remains patchy. We argue that this occurs because normality-centred care in maternity services prevents informed choices.' Women deserve better.
🚨 New Perspectives article in @theMJA 🚨
“Linguistic manoeuvres: obstetric violence camouflages harm and loss of consent from birth”
By @autinveniamviam @believemeithurt @RMatthewsPsych @NadineMontgmery @JamesTitcombe @realpelvicguru
➡️ doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70045
Dr Kara Thompson retweeted
This concept of dyadic outcomes may point a way ahead out of the morass of CS rate indicators that continue to be used to judge the performance of a maternity unit.
A new perinatal quality measure in nulliparous term singleton vertex births: integrating cesarean rate, maternal, and neonatal outcomes into a single maternal-newborn dyadic metric ow.ly/QzbY50WSp3y
Dr Kara Thompson retweeted
Time to move obstetrics into the risk equalization scheme
#WomensHealthcare
#ReduceGenderBias in #Healthcare
A Milestone for Women’s Health: NASOG’s Petition Tabled in Parliament nasog.org.au/post/a-mileston…
Dr Kara Thompson retweeted
The next 🌏 Global Obstetric Journal Club 🌏 is here… and we have a HUGE paper to discuss on Wednesday 10th September 2025, 17:00 AEST/08:00 GMT.
A paper by Callander and Colleagues that dropped in BJOG (BJOG 2025;0:1-11) ignited much-spirited debate.
It concluded standard public maternity care (free in Australia), when compared to private obstetrics care, was associated with a doubling of perinatal deaths, a tripling of 3rd degree tears and a near tripling of postpartum haemorrhage. And to top it off, public care is apparently more expensive to the public purse.
Haven't read the paper yet? Follow the link below.
We recognise the many implications of a paper with such a hot message. So did the press. Some clinicians pounced on the findings, others recoiled
…and some stepped back. Many of you emailed us, asking we even handedly review this paper and provide guidance. Of course we will!! Or at least, we will try.
Want to know more, read the paper and make sure you are ‘in the room’ when we break this paper down. Follow the link here (or in our bio👆 ) to read the paper and register for this session: mercyperinatal.com/event/goj…
#GOJC #mercyperinatal #obstetrics #publichealthcare #privatehealthcare #gynaecology
"Maternal choice matters. The @AusBirthTrauma says ‘we need to stop infantilising women and we need to actually empower women with information'. We aspire to see care move from ‘normal birth’ to normalising maternal choice at birth". 👏🏼 obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.co…
Is it time for a national maternity inquiry in Australia to improve care for all women and babies? This is currently happening in the UK where the cost of maternity litigation is higher than the entire cost of providing maternity care in the NHS.
theguardian.com/australia-ne…
The bill for maternity negligence claims in the UK since 2019 is higher than the entire cost of providing maternity care. Devastating.
theguardian.com/society/2025…
Dr Kara Thompson retweeted
'Ockenden...stressed that the cost of avoidable maternity harm was felt across “mental health, other health services, the economy, the wider community, relationships, whole families and careers”.' So true, @DOckendenLtd theguardian.com/society/2025…
Dr Kara Thompson retweeted
"Half of black women in UK who raise concerns during labour did not receive suitable help, study finds"
theguardian.com/society/2025…
Biggest ever Australian birth outcomes data published overnight, comparing low risk women birthing in public versus private hospitals. Outcomes overwhelmingly safer for both mum and baby under obstetric led private care. Care also cheaper to provide.
obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.co…
Planned birth (both caesarean and IOL) at 39 weeks versus expectant management in low-risk women reduces perinatal mortality and other severe adverse outcomes. Strongest neonatal and maternal safety benefits seen with planned caesarean birth.
thelancet.com/journals/eclin…
Induction of Labour from 38 weeks for macrosomic babies reduces incidence of shoulder dystocia, emergency caesarean, forceps and PPH. An important addition to the evidence for women making informed decisions about their care.
thelancet.com/journals/lance…
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Dr Kara Thompson retweeted
An excellent article outlining the value of private maternity care.
We need these conversations to ensure we continue to offer choice, full continuity of care, and safety.
apple.news/AyTmtqlL5R6aN1sSo…
Power suits FTW at the brilliant @NASOG Australian Birth Forum today ✨. Please sign the e-petition to eliminate gender discrimination in our private insurance system and to help ensure safety and choice is maintained for all women. ✍🏼 aph.gov.au/e-petitions/pe…
#formydaughter
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Dr Kara Thompson retweeted
aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petit…
End gender based healthcare discrimination. Women shouldn’t have to pay more than men for care, sign this petition to make health insurance fair.
#formydaughter #pregnancyInEveryPolicy
#ProudToBeAnOandG
Dr Kara Thompson retweeted
Private maternity ward closures worry doctors abc.net.au/listen/programs/p… via @ABCaustralia
#formydaughter #pregnancyineverypolicy
End decades of underinvestment in womens health. Equity and choice for pregnant woment now.
