MercyPerinatal

STAGES 3 & 4 OF LABOUR EPISODES NOW AVAILABLE! In these episodes, Dr Rangi is once again joined by the lovely midwife, Erica Spessot as they conclude their six-part series exploring the stages of labour. These last 2 episodes focus on the third and fourth (final stage) stages of labour. Discussion includes the delivery of the placenta, postpartum bleeding, cutting of the umbilical cord, bonding with your baby – “the golden hour”, the start of breastfeeding, monitoring you and your baby, resting, going home, and the next steps. Next week, in honour of Endometriosis Awareness Month, we’ll be sharing our two-part episode on Endometriosis and Pregnancy with Dr Sam Mooney. It’s a very insightful discussion, and we can’t wait for you to hear it. (And don’t worry, even though this six-part series has finished - Erica will be back again soon!)

REGISTER NOW FOR OUR NEXT TWILIGHT SEMINAR: Fetal Growth Restriction: From Pregnancy to Postnatal Life We’re going West!! We are thrilled to invite you to join us for a special Twilight next Wednesday March 25th, – to be streamed live from Perth at the SPECIAL time of 7pm AEDT. Mercy Perinatal is delighted to have two international experts in FGR joining us: Professor Wessel Ganzevoort and Professor Sanne Gordijn- both global leaders in placental disease and fetal growth restriction- as well as Professor Adrienne Gordon – a dear friend of Mercy Perinatal and Professor of Neonatology at the University of Sydney. They will all be in the room as we host a panel on everything FGR: from diagnosis to placental pathology to delivery triggers and the aftermath for the baby. This will be a not to be missed Twilight with ‘messages in a bottle’ for everyone providing maternity and newborn care- midwives, GPs, O and Gs, MFMs, sonologists, neonatal nurses and docs- you are all welcome!! Twilight is free and always will be, but you need to register! Head to mercyperinatal.com/event/fgr-march (Or check out the link in our bio!) #mercyperinatal #twilightseminars #FetalGrowthRestriction #FGR #postnatal #placenta #obstetrics #obstetrician #OBS

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Mercy Perinatal Leadership Conference ✨ From Spark to Flame🔥 - Tickets now available. On Saturday 23 May 2026, we warmly invite you to join us for From Spark to Flame: Igniting Your Healthcare Leadership. This one-day seminar, hosted by Mercy Perinatal, is dedicated to exploring leadership pathways in healthcare - across all disciplines, not just perinatal medicine. This unique event will bring together doctors, nurses, midwives and academics from every specialty who are seeking to build their best life in healthcare - whether in their current role, in a formal leadership position, or in an adjacent field. If you attended our previous Leadership Seminars - Head and Heart in Healthcare (2023) or Chasing Horizons (2024) - you will remember the energy, passion and inspiration our speakers brought, refilling the cup for all of us. We have crafted an equally inspiring program for 2026 and encourage you to join us in person or online, no matter your career stage. We are delighted to present a phenomenal lineup of clinicians and researchers from across the country. This year, we are especially thrilled to confirm our keynote speaker, the incredible Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM. Our previous seminars sold out in-person tickets, so we strongly encourage you to take the first step and secure your ticket today. Follow the link to view our full program and book your tickets: mercyperinatal.com/event/spark-fl… #fromsparktoflame #mercyperinatal #leadershipconference #clinicalleadership #midwifery #obstetrics #anaesthetics #nursing

We are broadcasting LIVE TOMORROW 17:00 AEDT | 14:00 SGT with Global Neonatal Journal Club - March. Join us to hear what the AAP and our expert panel have to say about Therapeutic hypothermia for neonates. Our internation panel will discuss: 👶🏾 How quickly cooling should be initiated after birth? 🤱🏽 How long it should cooling be continued for? 👶🏻 What should we do during neonatal transport? 🫄🏾 Promising new therapies on the horizon Released only a month ago, a revised AAP clinical report from the Committee on Fetus and Newborn and the Section on Neurology offers evidence-based guidance on therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal HIE and addresses some of the gaps in knowledge. Therapeutic hypothermia is the only therapy shown to improve long-term outcomes for HIE, and has been recommended by the AAP since 2010 as a standard of care for neonates born at or after 36 weeks’ gestation with moderate-to-severe HIE in high-income countries. However, the accurate identification of neonates eligible for therapeutic hypothermia remains challenging. Then our world expert panelists: Prof Nikki Robertson (University College, London, UK) and Prof Jeanie Cheong (The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia), as well as our hosts Prof Brett Manley (Mercy Perinatal, Melbourne, Australia) and Prof Ju Lee Oei (Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia) are dissecting and discussing, then as always we will also leave time for all of your questions! Make sure you register and don't miss out on this great session at: mercyperinatal.com/event/gnjc-mar… #GNJC #mercyperinatal #neonatology #neonatologist #neonatalnurse #newguidelines

We have made our list, checked it twice, and we are ready to announce The Australian Reproduction Update is returning in 2026! And this year, it's ARU (Christmas) in July! We will be spreading festive cheer from Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th of July, from the gorgeous rooms at Chapter Place, 1 Pentridge Boulevard, Coburg.  Some of the best reproduction researchers, scientists and clinicians will be donning their festive hats and sharing their latest research in reproduction, fertility, pregnancy and newborn health. As usual we will also be encouraging all the little elves, aka Early Career Researchers, to submit their Abstracts! Our full program is available on our website, but we have join us: 🎅🏼 Our Keynote: Professor Graeme Polglase (RMIT) - Preterm Sheep Models and New Lessons for Neonatology. 🎁 Prof Wendy Ingman (Adelaide University) - Using artificial intelligence for better breast health 🔔 A/Prof Clare Whitehead (University of Melbourne) - Adapting clinical trials in pregnancy and neonates ⛄ A/Prof Lindsay Wu (University of New South Wales) - Anti-ageing in the reproductive tract 🎄 A/Prof Jennifer Zenker (Monash University) - Inside the lab with live imaging of embryo ⭐ Dr Natasha de Alwis (University of Melbourne) - Improving vascular function in preeclampsia 🦌 Dr Tessa Lord (University of Newcastle)  - Sperm development and function in men with poor health 🤶🏽 Dr Lydia Brown (University of Melbourne) - Menopause and mental health — risks, resilience, and opportunities ...and more! For a strictly limited time Santa has left a little gift in your stocking, 🦉 EARLY BIRD PRICING 🦉! Purchase before June 7th to secure your seat and save.  Book your tickets, view our fill program and learn where to submit your abstract below here: mercyperinatal.com/event/aru2026 (Or via the link in our Bio!) #mercyperinatal #ARU2026 #reproduction #science #reproductivescience #neonatology

🚨 ATTENTION ALL MIDWIVES 🚨 this is your official roster alert! Secure your leave for the Global Midwifery Update in your next Roster Request, due THIS SUNDAY, March 15th! Before you leap over the ward clerks’ desk - you need to make sure you've secured the 12th and 13th of June off, so you can join us at the incredible Park Hyatt Melbourne! This year’s program will boost your super-speed, have you flying at new heights, and may even change your practice! Our topics include: ✨ Labour & birth deep dives: maternal-assisted caesarean, pelvic biomechanics & the psychology of labour ✨ High Risk Corner: VBAC, sepsis & late-onset FGR= ✨ Post-Partum: Newborn mental health, neonatal hypoglycaemia & breastfeeding success ✨ Care for all: First Nations culturally safe birthing practices; Family violence; Substance Abuse in Pregnancy ✨ And some great session on Leadership, scope expansion & protecting the future of midwifery And yes… GMU is officially approved for 12 hours of CPD points by the Australian College of Midwives! So, this is your friendly-but-serious reminder:📝 Submit the roster request, 🦸‍♀️ Secure the cape, 🎓 Lock in your next amazing Mercy Perinatal Conference! Because while you can manage a CTG, a complex VBAC conversation, a birth pool and a snack break simultaneously… even superheroes can’t fight a roster that’s already locked in. ⏰💥  Book now at: mercyperinatal.com/event/gmu2026 (or via the link in our bio!) #mercyperinatal #gmu2026 #midwifery #midwife #nursemidwife #midwifelife #rosterrequests #cpdpoints #midwiferycpd

Happy IWD! Today we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary women of Mercy Perinatal. From bedsides to boardrooms, clinics to labs, these women are helping to create safer pregnancy care, now and in the future. They are leaders in complex care. They are advocates for women and families. They are innovators in research. They are the steady hands and kind voices behind the scenes. On International Women’s Day, we thank and recognise them for contributing to our mission of bringing more Mum’s and babies home safely across the world. #MercyPerinatal #IWD2026 #womeninhealthcare #IWD

A huge congratulations to Dr Lilian Downie, our Clinical Geneticist, on securing a prestigious Fulbright Program Scholarship to undertake postdoctoral research in Boston, USA later this year 👏 The Fulbright Program is the flagship Australian–American scholarship initiative, supporting researchers at all career stages to engage in academic and cultural exchange between Australia and the United States. Scholars pursue research or study abroad and, on returning home, share their knowledge and experience to strengthen collaboration between our two countries. Lil is a clinical geneticist and researcher with a focus on translational genomics. Her clinical work spans perinatal and reproductive genetics, while her research focuses on implementing genomic technology for diagnostics, screening and population health. Her proposal is to design a life cycle genomics model - beginning with sequencing a baby’s DNA as part of newborn screening, with re-analysis at defined timepoints to identify risks of treatable or preventable conditions early. The data would also be available to support diagnosis if an individual later developed symptoms or became acutely unwell. As part of her scholarship, Lil will work with the Genomes2People program and the International Consortium of Newborn Sequencing to deepen expertise in applying genomics in healthy populations. We are incredibly proud of Lil on this outstanding achievement and can’t wait to see the impact of her work internationally and back here at home. Congratulations, Lil! 🌟

Global Neonatal Journal Club is bringing you a paper 🔥 HOT 🔥 off the presses! Register today for March 18th, 17:00 AEDT | 14:00 SGT to hear about the revised AAP clinical report offering an update on therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) Therapeutic hypothermia is the only therapy shown to improve long-term outcomes for HIE, and has been recommended by the AAP since 2010 as a standard of care for neonates born at or after 36 weeks’ gestation with moderate-to-severe HIE in high-income countries. However, the accurate identification of neonates eligible for therapeutic hypothermia remains challenging What to do when HIE is "mild"? What do we do for infants who are born at 34 or 35 weeks' gestation with HIE? What about cooling in lower-middle income countries? Are there any new therapies that might help? We are trying to answer these questions with: 👶 Prof Ashley Darcy-Mahoney, (George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA) providing a review of the paper. 🤱 An inside scoop from first author, A/Prof Santina Zanelli, (University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.) 🤰World expert panelists: Prof Nikki Robertson (University College, London, UK) and Prof Jeanie Cheong (The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia) Plus, our hosts Prof Brett Manley (Mercy Perinatal, Melbourne, Australia) and Prof Ju Lee Oei (Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia). What are you waiting for! Register now here: (or via the link in our bio) mercyperinatal.com/event/gnjc-mar… #mercyperinatal #gnjc #neonatology #paediatrics #neonatalnurse #neonatologist #hypothermia

NEW EPISODE RELEASED TODAY! In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day. This episode focuses on the second stage of labour. It explores what Erica describes as the “TV show end”, where you will be pushing and finally meeting your baby. Topics covered in this episode include: • 10cm Dilation of Cervix • Baby’s position and heart rate • Birthing persons positions • Duration of second stage and contributing factors • Pushing • The urge to open bowels (poo) • Maternal Exhaustion • When intervention may be required • Meeting baby - getting involved Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into Stage 3 of Labour (bonding with baby and delivery of placenta). Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or here: prepare.buzzsprout.com #MercyPerinatal #Labour #Pregnancy #PregnancyEducation #Birth

LIVE TOMORROW March 4th, 19:00 Melbourne (AEST) / 08:00 UK (GMT). Join us for the first Global Obstetric Journal Club of 2026! We have an amazing international panel including Prof Cath Cluver, Prof Lina Bergman and Prof Andy Shennan! Plus, our usual Mercy Perinatal team. They will break down, dissect and discuss the new Prevent-PE Trial. The PREVENT- PE trial, published in Lancet, asks if prevention of term preeclampsia is possible. While we know aspirin is effective in reducing the risk of preterm preeclampsia among those at high risk, term disease affects 3% of all pregnant women, and – by simple virtue of numbers - is the leading contributor to major morbidity caused by preeclampsia. So- should the findings of ‘PREVENT PE’ change our practice immediately? Or are there hurdles that still need to be cleared? Register now at: mercyperinatal.com/event/gojc-mar… (or via the link in our bio!) #gojc #mercyperinatal #preeclampsia #preeclampsiaresearch #journalclub

A huge congratulations to our very own Prof Lisa Hui and Dr Ishara Atukorala for securing a $1.1 million NHMRC Ideas Grants for their important cCMV Research! Prof Lisa Hui (CIA), Dr Ishara Atukorala (CIB), and Prof David Baud (CIC) from University Hospitals Lausanne, Switzerland, have been awarded funding for their project, “Mapping the fetal extracellular vesicle and immune cell landscapes of congenital cytomegalovirus infection for biomarker and therapeutic target discovery”. Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection in Australia and causes more lifelong impairment than all other congenital infections combined. Despite this burden, clinicians currently lack reliable tools to predict long-term outcomes for affected pregnancies. This project collaboration with the University Hospitals Lausanne, aims to reduce prognostic uncertainty by identifying biomarkers, with the goal of improving prenatal counselling, informing clinical decision making and lessening the lifelong burden on affected children and their families. By integrating high-resolution molecular profiling with clinical and imaging data, the work seeks to establish a new paradigm for fetal diagnostics that goes beyond conventional imaging and basic biochemical tests. We are so excited to see the outcomes of this work- congratulations Lisa, Ishara and David. We are absolutely thrilled for you! 🎉

NEW EPISODE RELEASED TODAY! 👶 In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day. This episode focuses on the early (active) phase of the first stage of labour. It explores what is happening from when the contractions “are long, strong, regular and here to stay”, right up until it is time to push. Topics covered in this episode include: • Contractions • Waters breaking • When to contact your healthcare provider/present to hospital • Pain relief options Transition, the final, most intense part of active labor Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into Stage 2 of Labour (meeting your baby). Listen anywhere you get your podcasts - or here 👉🏼 prepare.buzzsprout.com #mercyperinatal #pregnancy #pregnancyeducation #childbirth #birth

Congratulations to Prof Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino, A/Prof Fiona Brownfoot and Dr Elif Kadife for each being a recipient of the 2026 Trevor B Kilvington Bequest through the University of Melbourne. Prof Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino was awarded the bequest to investigate Multi-omic profiling of the placenta to uncover mechanisms underlying the pathology of placental insufficiency A/Prof Fiona Brownfoot received the bequest for the work Artificial intelligence–guided discovery of placental stress and adaptation pathways in early-onset preeclampsia. Dr Elif Kadife was awarded for the project Regenerative Therapies for Preeclampsia The Trevor B Kilvington Bequest is offered to salaried and honorary researchers in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health to conduct research into preeclampsia. Well done Tu’uhe, Fi and Elif – we are so thrilled for you! #preeclampsia #pregnancyresearch #placenta #MercyPerinatal

The Global Obstetrics Journal Club team are pouncing on a key Obstetrics Paper released just LAST MONTH! Join our international panel Wednesday March 4th, 19:00 Melbourne (AEST) / 08:00 UK (GMT) (An hour later than our usual Twilight start time!) The PREVENT- PE trial, published in Lancet, asks if prevention of term preeclampsia is possible. While we know aspirin is effective in reducing the risk of preterm preeclampsia among those at high risk, term disease affects 3% of all pregnant women, and – by simple virtue of numbers - is the leading contributor to major morbidity caused by preeclampsia. In this ‘test and treat’ trial, over 8000 women were randomised to preeclampsia screening at 36 weeks, coupled with a recommendation for timed birth in those with a risk of 1:50 or greater. The results were startling- a 30% reduction in term preeclampsia. That’s nearly 1:50 of ALL pregnant women! And it seems to be all upside. No reduction in gestational age. No increase in induction rate. No increase in birth by Caesarean section. So- should the findings of ‘PREVENT PE’ change our practice immediately? Or are there hurdles that still need to be cleared? Register now at: mercyperinatal.com/event/gojc-mar… (or via the link in our bio!) #gojc #mercyperinatal #preeclampsia #preeclampsiaresearch #journalclub

GMU2026 returns to the amazing Park Hyatt, Melbourne, bringing together passionate midwives and maternity clinicians from across Australia and beyond. This two-day event will deliver evidence-based clinical updates and practical insights you can apply in your practice from Monday morning onwards. Whether you’re working in early pregnancy care, birth suite, postnatal support or anything in between, GMU 2026 promises content that’s highly relevant to the realities of midwifery today. This year’s super program features an inspiring line-up of expert speakers, including leading clinical researchers, educators, and frontline practitioners such as Professor Hannah Dahlen AM, Laura Aileone, Kara Blackburn, Debra Bourne, Jennifer Leverington, and Professor Sue Walker AO. Together, they will explore core topics including maternal assisted caesareans, culturally safe care for First Nations families, neonatal hypoglycaemia, breastfeeding success, and strengthening our response to family violence. Here’s what our wonderful GMU2025 delegates had to say: ⭐️ "High quality midwifery conference. Great presentations. Great food. Great fun. Great learning. Incredibly well organised by a wonderful team." ⭐️ “I enjoyed virtually everything over the entire two days. Everything was well structured, the majority of the speakers' presentations were so interesting and engaging, the food was generous and delicious, everything was so well thought out and executed brilliantly!" ⭐️ ”I loved the fun little details sprinkled through the day - the quiz, the dancing fish, the claw and dance machines. I didn't realise conferences could be fun!" ⭐️ ”I loved how collaborative the GMU team was, and that both doctors and midwives donned the GMU T-shirts, and got stuck in to make the conference come to life. If we are to work collaboratively in practice, these kind of events are absolutely critical to achieve this." Tickets are now on sale! Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your skills, earn CPD points, and reconnect with your midwifery community in the heart of Melbourne this June. Head over to our website (or check out the link in our bio ☝️) to check out our full program and book your ticket today: mercyperinatal.com/event/gmu2026 #gmu2026 #mercyperinatal #midwifery #midwife #midwiferystudent #midwifelife #lactationconsultant #nursing

✨ LIVE TOMORROW NIGHT: "Leave No One Behind @ Twilight’. Have you registered!? ✨ We are ‘zooming out’ and stepping in others’ shoes as we consider who we miss- and how we can better reach them- in pregnancy and newborn care. We are covering topics including 'Transgender inclusive pregnancy care', 'The experience of babies in the NICU' and 'Providing equitable care in remote communities'. This one is for all GPs, Obstetricians, Midwives, Neonatal Nurses, Paeds and allied health practitioners caring for pregnant people. We will email all registered attendees 1 hour before Twilight with the Zoom link. Make sure you keep an eye on your email Wednesday Afternoon! Twilight is free and always will be but you need to register via: mercyperinatal.com/event/twilight… (or via the link in our bio ☝️) #mercyperinatal #twilight #pregnancycare #obstetrics #remotecare #neonatology #paediatrics

A huge congratulations to Mercy Perinatal researchers Professor Nat Hannan (CIB) and Professor Lisa Hui (CIF) on being successful recipients of a $5 million NHMRC Synergy Grant to investigate the role of inflammation and infection in pregnancy complications. The funded project, ‘Defining and overcoming disease drivers in pregnancy to ensure pregnancies are safe and protected’, is led by Professor Katherine Kedzierska (CIA) at the Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne. “This Synergy brings together an expert team with unique strengths in pregnancy physiology, clinical care, immunology, biochemistry, infectious diseases, and health policy and protocols. Building on our pioneering studies and technologies, the team will address immune perturbations underpinning major complications of pregnancy.” The NHMRC Synergy Grant scheme supports outstanding multidisciplinary teams to tackle major questions that cannot be answered by a single investigator. The program prioritises highly collaborative, diverse research teams working across discovery to translation to address critical challenges in human health. We are absolutely thrilled for you both! This is such an important area of research, and we can’t wait to see the impact of this work. #synergygrant #NHMRC #pregnancyresearch #mercyperinatal

Congratulations to Dr Elif Kadife for receiving an Innovation Seed Grant from The University of Melbourne's Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences (MDHS). Elif has been awarded a grant for her project, 'From Petri Dish to Pregnancy: A Breakthrough in IVF Additives', which aims to improve IVF implantation and live birth rates by developing a first-in-class embryo culture additive that activates a pathway critical for trophectoderm and placental development. With fewer than one in three IVF cycles leading to a live birth, targeting this unique developmental pathway represents an exciting and untapped opportunity to enhance embryo health from the earliest stages. The team will optimise pathway modulation in preclinical embryo models, generate essential safety and efficacy data, and define a pathway toward clinical translation and commercialisation. This work will address a major unmet need in reproductive medicine. Well done, Elif! We are so proud of you and so excited to see the outcome of your research! #IVF #reproduction #placenta #pregnancyresearch #MercyPerinatal

NEW EPISODE 📣 In this episode, Dr Rangi is joined by midwife Erica Spessot as they continue their six-part series exploring the stages of labour, right through to your baby’s Birth Day. This episode focuses on the early (latent) phase of the first stage of labour. It explores the lead-up to pushing, which can begin days- or even weeks- before birth, as your body prepares and starts giving you signs of what’s to come. Topics covered in this episode include: • Nesting • Braxton Hicks contractions • Prioritising self-care • Changes to the cervix (thinning and shortening) • Mucus plug and discharge • Key hormones, including oxytocin and melatonin • Contractions • Other symptoms that may occur during this stage • When to contact your healthcare provider for advice Stay tuned for the next episode, where Rangi and Erica take a deep dive into the next phase of Stage 1- Active Labour - so you know what to expect every step of the way. 👶 prepare.buzzsprout.com (or link in bio)