Dr Kirsten Small PhD
@birthsmalltalk.bsky.social
Retired Australian obs/gyn. Research, writer, educator, feminist. Fetal Monitoring expert. Keeper of chickens and secrets. Find all my things - https://education.birthsmalltalk.com/bst-links
The current RANZCOG guideline suggests that cord blood gasses should be collected at every birth. This week's post explore the (lack of) evidence to support this practice.
wp.me/pbCorF-qe
wp.me/pbCorF-qe
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
The current RANZCOG guideline suggests that cord blood gasses should be collected at every birth. This week's post explore the (lack of) evidence to support this practice.
wp.me/pbCorF-qe
wp.me/pbCorF-qe
Wish you could access some of the Birth Small Talk course lessons, and more, without having to pay for it? Well you can!
Enrol now and access the resources instantly, with no time limit on your access.
Sign up here - education.birthsmalltalk.com/offers/pKBfS...
Enrol now and access the resources instantly, with no time limit on your access.
Sign up here - education.birthsmalltalk.com/offers/pKBfS...
November 8, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Wish you could access some of the Birth Small Talk course lessons, and more, without having to pay for it? Well you can!
Enrol now and access the resources instantly, with no time limit on your access.
Sign up here - education.birthsmalltalk.com/offers/pKBfS...
Enrol now and access the resources instantly, with no time limit on your access.
Sign up here - education.birthsmalltalk.com/offers/pKBfS...
Want to be the first to hear about new BirthSmallTalk courses? Love a good early bird discount? Sign up and get regular newsletters delivered to your inbox. Join a community of others who want to make maternity care better.
education.birthsmalltalk.com/sign-up-for-...
education.birthsmalltalk.com/sign-up-for-...
November 7, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Want to be the first to hear about new BirthSmallTalk courses? Love a good early bird discount? Sign up and get regular newsletters delivered to your inbox. Join a community of others who want to make maternity care better.
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Reposted by Dr Kirsten Small PhD
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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I had a fabulous morning at University of the Sunshine Coast earlier this week - speaking with midwifery students, faculty, and other midwives about the evidence (or more precisely the lack of it) for all things related to fetal monitoring.
October 30, 2025 at 1:00 AM
I had a fabulous morning at University of the Sunshine Coast earlier this week - speaking with midwifery students, faculty, and other midwives about the evidence (or more precisely the lack of it) for all things related to fetal monitoring.
October 25, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Social factors shape fetal monitoring practices. This week’s blog dives into research that sheds light on these and on potential solutions. The challenge lies not in the knowledge of solutions but in the willingness to implement them.
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/22/f...
#FetalMonitoring #Research
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/22/f...
#FetalMonitoring #Research
October 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Social factors shape fetal monitoring practices. This week’s blog dives into research that sheds light on these and on potential solutions. The challenge lies not in the knowledge of solutions but in the willingness to implement them.
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/22/f...
#FetalMonitoring #Research
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/22/f...
#FetalMonitoring #Research
In 2023, Australia recorded a cesarean section rate exceeding 40%. Induction rates also increased, and the perinatal mortality rate also rose to 11 / 1,000. This is a concerning trend. It is time to rethink the high rates of intervention.
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/15/i...
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/15/i...
October 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
In 2023, Australia recorded a cesarean section rate exceeding 40%. Induction rates also increased, and the perinatal mortality rate also rose to 11 / 1,000. This is a concerning trend. It is time to rethink the high rates of intervention.
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/15/i...
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/15/i...
Wish you could access some of the Birth Small Talk course lessons, and more, without having to pay for it? Well you can!
Enrol now and access the resources instantly, with no time limit on your access.
Sign up here - education.birthsmalltalk.com/offers/pKBfS...
Enrol now and access the resources instantly, with no time limit on your access.
Sign up here - education.birthsmalltalk.com/offers/pKBfS...
October 11, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Wish you could access some of the Birth Small Talk course lessons, and more, without having to pay for it? Well you can!
Enrol now and access the resources instantly, with no time limit on your access.
Sign up here - education.birthsmalltalk.com/offers/pKBfS...
Enrol now and access the resources instantly, with no time limit on your access.
Sign up here - education.birthsmalltalk.com/offers/pKBfS...
I have cover art for my book! What do you think?
I'm still not sure when exactly I'll get it published - but it is definitely happening and I'm so excited to see it with a "face".
Design by Deb from Mookoo Design
I'm still not sure when exactly I'll get it published - but it is definitely happening and I'm so excited to see it with a "face".
Design by Deb from Mookoo Design
October 10, 2025 at 6:15 AM
I have cover art for my book! What do you think?
I'm still not sure when exactly I'll get it published - but it is definitely happening and I'm so excited to see it with a "face".
Design by Deb from Mookoo Design
I'm still not sure when exactly I'll get it published - but it is definitely happening and I'm so excited to see it with a "face".
Design by Deb from Mookoo Design
I needed to remind myself why it isn't time to chuck it all in. So I wrote this.
And onwards I go...
wp.me/pbCorF-10h
#neverthelessshepersisted
And onwards I go...
wp.me/pbCorF-10h
#neverthelessshepersisted
October 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM
I needed to remind myself why it isn't time to chuck it all in. So I wrote this.
And onwards I go...
wp.me/pbCorF-10h
#neverthelessshepersisted
And onwards I go...
wp.me/pbCorF-10h
#neverthelessshepersisted
Want to be the first to hear about new BirthSmallTalk courses? Love a good early bird discount? Sign up and get regular newsletters delivered to your inbox. Join a community of others who want to make maternity care better.
education.birthsmalltalk.com/sign-up-for-...
education.birthsmalltalk.com/sign-up-for-...
October 7, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Want to be the first to hear about new BirthSmallTalk courses? Love a good early bird discount? Sign up and get regular newsletters delivered to your inbox. Join a community of others who want to make maternity care better.
education.birthsmalltalk.com/sign-up-for-...
education.birthsmalltalk.com/sign-up-for-...
Book editing on an iPad is a little tricky as I am used to two large screens. But I am giving it a go!
#author #book #editing #fetalmonitoring #birth #pregnancy #Atticus
#author #book #editing #fetalmonitoring #birth #pregnancy #Atticus
October 5, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Book editing on an iPad is a little tricky as I am used to two large screens. But I am giving it a go!
#author #book #editing #fetalmonitoring #birth #pregnancy #Atticus
#author #book #editing #fetalmonitoring #birth #pregnancy #Atticus
#frogsofbluesky Are there any frog folks who can tell me what the species are? I can hear two distinct frog voices. (Point Cook, Melbourne, Australia)
October 4, 2025 at 6:06 AM
#frogsofbluesky Are there any frog folks who can tell me what the species are? I can hear two distinct frog voices. (Point Cook, Melbourne, Australia)
Now to kick back for a bit in the airport until departure time comes around. Tickets are still available to come join me at The Midwives House in Melbourne tomorrow for the Fetal Monitoring Masterclass. If you are ready to hear the REAL story about fetal monitoring, come along. Link in bio!
October 1, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Now to kick back for a bit in the airport until departure time comes around. Tickets are still available to come join me at The Midwives House in Melbourne tomorrow for the Fetal Monitoring Masterclass. If you are ready to hear the REAL story about fetal monitoring, come along. Link in bio!
It seems that almost everyday a new paper about AI for CTG monitoring pops up. The human rights aspects of adopting artificial intelligence software for fetal monitoring is a discussion we need to have.
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/01/h...
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/01/h...
October 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM
It seems that almost everyday a new paper about AI for CTG monitoring pops up. The human rights aspects of adopting artificial intelligence software for fetal monitoring is a discussion we need to have.
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/01/h...
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/10/01/h...
@HazelKeedle's new #book has been out for a while so I'm a bit late to the party! If you are a #maternity #professional and you support women planning #VBAC - you'll want a copy of this.
It features a small section from me about fetal monitoring during VBAC!
#notsponsored
It features a small section from me about fetal monitoring during VBAC!
#notsponsored
September 30, 2025 at 5:01 AM
@HazelKeedle's new #book has been out for a while so I'm a bit late to the party! If you are a #maternity #professional and you support women planning #VBAC - you'll want a copy of this.
It features a small section from me about fetal monitoring during VBAC!
#notsponsored
It features a small section from me about fetal monitoring during VBAC!
#notsponsored
This book is so interesting and a lot of fun. Rosalie uses primary sources from the era to tell stories of where #single #women of the #medieval period lived, how they made ends meet, and even what they wore.
Can recommend!
#notsponsored #cats
Can recommend!
#notsponsored #cats
September 29, 2025 at 1:00 AM
This book is so interesting and a lot of fun. Rosalie uses primary sources from the era to tell stories of where #single #women of the #medieval period lived, how they made ends meet, and even what they wore.
Can recommend!
#notsponsored #cats
Can recommend!
#notsponsored #cats
Reposted by Dr Kirsten Small PhD
“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
Rachel Carson, “Silent Spring,” published on this day in 1962
Rachel Carson, “Silent Spring,” published on this day in 1962
September 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM
“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
Rachel Carson, “Silent Spring,” published on this day in 1962
Rachel Carson, “Silent Spring,” published on this day in 1962
CTGs are not a screening test for happiness. Or tiredness.
They aren't even a test for distress (controversial option but hear me out!).
Read the blog post to learn what to say instead (that is accurate and not condescending).
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/09/24/t...
They aren't even a test for distress (controversial option but hear me out!).
Read the blog post to learn what to say instead (that is accurate and not condescending).
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/09/24/t...
September 24, 2025 at 7:00 AM
CTGs are not a screening test for happiness. Or tiredness.
They aren't even a test for distress (controversial option but hear me out!).
Read the blog post to learn what to say instead (that is accurate and not condescending).
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/09/24/t...
They aren't even a test for distress (controversial option but hear me out!).
Read the blog post to learn what to say instead (that is accurate and not condescending).
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/09/24/t...
I'm coming to Melbourne! Join me for a FULL DAY Fetal Monitoring Masterclass.
WHEN: Friday October 3, 8:30 am to 4 pm.
WHERE: The Midwives House, Thornbury
COST: $315
HOW TO BOOK: www.themidwiveshouse.com.au/event-detail...
WHEN: Friday October 3, 8:30 am to 4 pm.
WHERE: The Midwives House, Thornbury
COST: $315
HOW TO BOOK: www.themidwiveshouse.com.au/event-detail...
September 23, 2025 at 12:16 AM
I'm coming to Melbourne! Join me for a FULL DAY Fetal Monitoring Masterclass.
WHEN: Friday October 3, 8:30 am to 4 pm.
WHERE: The Midwives House, Thornbury
COST: $315
HOW TO BOOK: www.themidwiveshouse.com.au/event-detail...
WHEN: Friday October 3, 8:30 am to 4 pm.
WHERE: The Midwives House, Thornbury
COST: $315
HOW TO BOOK: www.themidwiveshouse.com.au/event-detail...