– such as the use of forceps, vacuums, episiotomies or caesareans – according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures., women from culturally diverse backgrounds shared their stories of complicated pregnancies and birth interventions, and their feelings about their experiences.Although Ms Maka had wanted to see the same midwife throughout her pregnancy, this was not an option and she saw different midwives at her public Melbourne hospital for her check-ups.
Associate Professor at the Mercy Hospital Alexis Shub said pre-eclampsia can develop during pregnancy, during labour, or in rare cases, after delivery.to occur in 5 to 10 per cent of pregnancies, and severe pre-eclampsia in 1 to 2 per cent. "But I think also that all labour is unpredictable and that's one of the things that is hard to get your head around … you can't predict exactly what's going to happen."
"[There are] much, much higher rates of gestational diabetes in those groups as there's higher rates of type 2 diabetes in those communities," she said.Louise – who asked to use a pseudonym to protect her privacy – is of South-Asian origin, and as both her parents had type 2 diabetes, she was told she was at higher risk of developing the condition during pregnancy.