For the first time in seven years Australia has a new most popular girls’ name. While Oliver remains at number one for boys (a position it has held since knocking Jack off the top spot in 2013), Isla has raced up to overtake Charlotte in the number one spot for girls. Charlotte has been the number one baby name for girls since overtaking Olivia in 2015—the same year Princess Charlotte was born. But her reign is over according to the latest Top 100 Baby Names list, released this week. The list, compiled by social researchers McCrindle, brings together data from the Australian states and territo ..read more

For the first time in seven years Australia has a new most popular girls’ name. While Oliver remains at number one for boys (a position it has held since knocking Jack off the top spot in 2013), Isla has raced up to overtake Charlotte in the number one spot for girls. Charlotte has been the number one baby name for girls since overtaking Olivia in 2015—the same year Princess Charlotte was born. But her reign is over according to the latest Top 100 Baby Names list, released this week. The list, compiled by social researchers McCrindle, brings together data from the Australian states and territo ..read more

Gender-neutral baby names are growing in popularity. And loving a gender-neutral baby name will make your decision much easier when you do find out your baby’s sex. There are many beautiful and unique gender-neutral baby names out there that suit boys and girls. Here is our list of 40 of the most popular. 40 gorgeous gender-neutral baby names Alex Ash Arlo Avery Billie Brooklyn Bailey Charlie Darcy Drew Dylan Eden Eddie Elliot Emerson Ezra Finley Flynn Frankie READ: Australia’s Top 100 Baby Names for boys and girls Harley Harlow Harper Jasper Jesse Mason Milo Miller Parker Quinn Reese Re ..read more

Are you expecting twins? Or more? The discovery of being pregnant with multiples can be quite a shock, even if you knew your chances of twins (or more) was higher than normal—if it “runs in the family”, for example, or you had an assisted conception. Often accompanying the shock is the anxiety and a multitude of questions… will I make it to full term? can I have a vaginal birth? how am I going to look after two (or more) babies at once? how are we going to afford this? will I be able to go back to work? do I need to buy two or more of everything? how is this going to affect my existing child ..read more

Keeping fit and healthy while you are pregnant is important. If you already exercised before falling pregnant, you are generally safe to continue your routine, with some modifications as you progress through your pregnancy. You should consult your doctor when you fall pregnant as to what exercises are OK for you to do. Here are some dos and don’ts of pregnancy exercise for you to keep in mind when exercising through your pregnancy trimesters. Pregnancy exercise dos and don’ts What you should DO: Maintain regular exercise—20-30 minutes a day, three times a week. Each pregnancy is different and ..read more

A great last name can become the perfect first name for a new baby. And there are plenty of awesome ‘last name first names’ out there. There are many popular last name first names in the Top 100 baby names in Australia s including Hudson (the 14th most popular baby name for boys born in Australia in 2020), Harrison (19th) and Mason (21st) for boys and Harper (the 12th most popular baby name for girls born in Australia in 2020), Mackenzie (51st) and Addison (61st) for girls. But there are also plenty of unique baby names that are inspired by surnames. Here are some of our favourite surnames tha ..read more

“Quite calm” were the words used to describe Brisbane mother Madhavi Leuke Bandara after she delivered her baby boy in the passenger seat of the family car, right at the entrance of the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane. Midwives Marine Pacquier, Carrie Simpson, and Gabby Rowsell were first on the scene to assist the second-time mum and her husband Shyam when it was clear their baby had no plans to wait until they were inside. Madhavi’s labour had began at 6am on January 20 and her waters had broken just before she got into the car at home. The couple quickly dropped their daughter, Buvi, a ..read more

Australian model and gym owner Chontel Duncan and her husband Sam have welcomed twins, born at 31 weeks, in what Chontel describes as a ‘big emotional journey’. Chontel, the personal trainer behind full body Sweat workout program FIERCE and gym chain HIIT Station, almost lost her babies early in the pregnancy. “At 12 weeks into my pregnancy, I had a severe haemorrhage and went to emergency where it was confirmed the hematoma was there,” she says. “It’s like a bomb waiting to go off.” Chontel’s pregnancy was deemed ‘high risk’ by her obstetrician for ‘threatened miscarriage’ and she was put on ..read more

If you are due in December you might have considered giving your baby a Christmas-themed name—but worried that many are tacky or old-fashioned. Fortunately that isn’t always the case. There are actually some really beautiful names that have links to Christmas. Here’s a list of our favourite Christmas baby names. 25 Christmas-inspired baby names Ivy Ivy is an English name meaning fidelity and faithfulness. Ivy is a traditional Christmas plant, often used to make wreaths. It was the 14th most popular baby name for girls in Australia last year, with 918 babies named Ivy in 2020. Stella Stella is ..read more

Unfortunately not all births go to plan. Many women require a caesarean on medical grounds after labour has commenced—either because the baby is “stuck” or because baby is stressed by the labour process. Sometimes, a caesarean is planned to occur prior to labour beginning for the safety of either baby or mum. For women who have a choice with regards to whether they have a caesarean or a vaginal birth—know that it is your decision. It is your body, it is your birth and, as long as you understand the risks and benefits of both modes of delivery and you’ve had a detailed discussion with your heal ..read more