Marcelle Cooper says she had six miscarriages in six years before falling pregnant unexpectedly. Her first 20 weeks of pregnancy were filled with fear, and after her daughter was born she struggled with insomnia, anxiety and numbness. She eventually asked her GP for help and was referred to Gidget Foundation Australia, which supports expectant and new parents with mental health care. Ms Cooper now wants parents to know that support is available at every stage and that their losses matter.
Royal Darwin Hospital has apologised after confidential medical information about about a dozen pregnant patients was allegedly shared on Instagram. The posts, from an account linked to an overseas trained doctor who was a medical observer, reportedly included patient names and diagnoses, and reached 28,000 followers. The doctor said she cannot confirm how the images were posted and did not intend to disclose patient information. Her attachment to NT Health has since been terminated. Health Minister Steve Edgington said stricter background checks and induction processes will be introduced for medical observers.
Southern Cross University researchers have received their first Gates Foundation grant. The 18-month project aims to cut the cost of omega-3 supplements for pregnant women and infants in low-income countries by at least 50 per cent. The team plans to grow microscopic organisms called thraustochytrids on agricultural and food-processing by-products. Lead researcher Professor Dirk Erler said cost is the main barrier to omega-3 use among pregnant women. Massey University's Professor Munish Puri is also taking part in the project.
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A 41-year-old woman, Sammy Evans, went to her GP with a hard lump near her ribcage and was told she could be pregnant. She had not realised she was expecting, having gone months without a period and lost weight after gastric band surgery. A home test came back positive. Later that night she went to hospital, where a scan revealed a baby, and about five hours after arriving she gave birth to a healthy son, Noah. Her partner, Triston McKend, is temporarily moving to Bournemouth to help care for the baby.
Business Professional Women Coffs Coast says gender equality remains an issue, despite progress in some areas. The group points to an ABC Four Corners investigation published on 18 October, in which more than 100 women described job losses, reduced hours and unfair treatment linked to pregnancy or having a child. The group will host a panel discussion titled "The Equality Conversation: Women, Feminism and What Comes Next" under the theme "Equality in 2026: Where Are We Now?" The group has also asked any woman who has faced such discrimination to get in touch.
Queensland Corrective Services officers allegedly restrained an Indigenous woman in the maternity unit at Townsville Hospital after she gave birth by caesarean section on October 10 while in custody. Her newborn was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit and the two were separated. Corrective Services says the woman was not restrained during labour or surgery, and that restraints on pregnant prisoners are only used as a last resort. The department is reviewing her care. Nurses and midwives raised concerns, and a petition seeks a ban on restraints during pregnancy and childbirth.
Health authorities will review the care of pregnant Adelaide woman Kaitlin Jagu, who was moved between three hospitals while experiencing stabbing pain. She later needed an emergency delivery of her baby and surgery to repair a twisted bowel. Ms Jagu said she received inadequate pain relief and lost consciousness in a hospital bathroom, which led to an emergency caesarean section. A senior health official has apologised to her. She said she wants clearer communication and better ways to escalate concerns.
Pennsylvania's health department has issued a health alert as measles cases during pregnancy, and congenital measles cases, keep rising. Congenital measles had not been seen in the state for decades. As of October 19, the state had reported 1,286 measles cases this year across 42 counties, with 247 hospitalised and six deaths. The first reported death in the current outbreak was a newborn boy who died shortly after birth. Pregnant people who are unvaccinated and have not had measles face serious risks, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
Australia's sex discrimination laws must be overhauled to stop workplaces penalising pregnant women and mothers, a new report from the Australian Human Rights Commission urges. Sex discrimination commissioner Anna Cody said the legislation was not keeping up with modern families. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government has not yet committed to the recommended changes, which are being examined in an ongoing inquiry.
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when weakened pelvic floor muscles and tissues allow one or more pelvic organs to drop from their usual position. Up to half of women who have given birth have some degree of prolapse, often without symptoms. Symptoms can include pelvic pressure, a bulge at the vaginal opening and bladder or bowel problems. Treatments range from pelvic floor exercises and vaginal pessaries to surgery. Women are encouraged to speak with a GP or Women's Health Centre if they suspect a prolapse.
Married at First Sight couple Ellie Dix and Jono McCullough have announced they are expecting their first child together. The baby is due in April 2027. The couple shared the news on Instagram, using audio from their last MAFS episode in which Ellie said she wanted a family and the average Australian dream. The pair met on the 2024 season of the show, after both left their original partners during the experiment. They later moved in together, started a business and bought a property on the Gold Coast.
More than 100 women have told Four Corners they lost work after becoming pregnant or having a child. Abby McCawley says she was fired from her role at Ray White Brunswick in Melbourne's inner north, a day after a company post had praised her. The real estate agency says her employment ended over workplace behaviour, a claim she disputes. She is now suing in the Federal Court. Lawyers say pregnant workers face daunting hurdles, and advocates are calling for stronger legal protections.
Mothers who follow a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy may lower their infant's risk of colic and eczema, according to a study by researchers from Harvard institutions and Boston Children's Hospital. The study followed more than 1,300 pregnant women who attended prenatal clinics in eastern Massachusetts between 1999 and 2002. Each extra unit on the Mediterranean Diet Score was linked to a 15 per cent lower risk of both conditions. Each weekly serving of seafood was associated with a 25 per cent lower risk. The findings were published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
Former Australian Idol star Casey Donovan and her fiancée Renee Sharples are expecting their first child in February 2027. The couple, who conceived via IVF, shared the news on social media, expressing gratitude for the support they have received. Donovan, who has polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, previously struggled with the idea of becoming a mother but is now feeling happy and excited about the upcoming changes in their lives.
Brittany Hockley, 39, and her husband Ben Siegrist have announced they are expecting their first child after years of fertility challenges. The Life Uncut podcast host shared the joyful news on Instagram, accompanied by a video of the couple with their dog. Hockley revealed the pregnancy in a caption, expressing disbelief at the positive turn in their journey. The announcement was met with an outpouring of support from friends, including Laura Byrne, Holly Kingston, and Rebecca Gibney. This news follows Hockley's previous openness about her struggles with infertility and the emotional toll it has taken.
