Words from Our Midwives

In “What Every Woman Should Know About Labour and Birth,” featured on “Words from Our Midwives” at Joggmidwives.com.au, Midwife Laura Millar addresses common misconceptions shaped by stories, media, and late-night searching. She normalises longer labours-particularly for first births-and explains that fluctuating early labour often reflects the body preparing effectively. The key message is empowerment: with understanding, reassurance, and the right support team, women can navigate even the most challenging moments and approach birth feeling calmer, stronger, and more prepared.

This midwife’s perspective on Joggmidwives.com.au addresses the stigma often attached to epidurals and replaces it with a more compassionate, realistic framework for decision-making. It highlights that there is no hierarchy of birth experiences and that pain relief choices should be guided by personal needs, not guilt or external expectations. The summary discusses common reasons women choose epidurals-such as exhaustion, stress reduction, and regaining a sense of control-while noting that informed choice includes understanding possible impacts on mobility and subsequent interventions. The central message: positive birth experiences are most strongly shaped by respectful support, not by “how” the baby is born.

I often get asked in clinic "when will I know I'm in labour if I have never done it before"

Having an idea of how you would like your birth to go is fabulous to have on paper - the question is, should it be a plan or a preference?