17/01/2026
If this post made you pause, or even bristle a little, that was kind of the point.
This is tongue-in-cheek and a bit provocative, yes. But it’s also reflects the reality of modern maternity care.
Around 97% of women in Australia give birth in hospital. Most never hear this side of the conversation. And informed consent only exists when people actually know what the system they’re entering is likely to offer, recommend, or label as “routine”.
This isn’t about judging choices or saying one place of birth is right for everyone. It’s about transparency. It’s about understanding the risks and benefits of the interventions that are common in hospital settings, and how those shape birth experiences and outcomes.
You’re allowed to question. You’re allowed to ask for evidence. You’re allowed to weigh what feels safest for you, not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically too.
Choice in maternity care starts with information. Always.