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
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December 7, 2025 at 7:45 AM
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My latest musings on the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence in fetal monitoring.
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/12/03/w...
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/12/03/w...
December 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM
My latest musings on the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence in fetal monitoring.
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/12/03/w...
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/12/03/w...
Fetal blood sampling (FBS) has a complex history, but its relevance is still debated. Evidence shows it has poor predictive ability, and the reliability of fetal blood lactate testing remains in question. Is it time to reconsider FBS? 🤔
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/11/26/s...
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/11/26/s...
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Fetal blood sampling (FBS) has a complex history, but its relevance is still debated. Evidence shows it has poor predictive ability, and the reliability of fetal blood lactate testing remains in question. Is it time to reconsider FBS? 🤔
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/11/26/s...
birthsmalltalk.com/2025/11/26/s...
Reposted by Dr Kirsten Small PhD
Why, in the face of this information, are we concerned about so called "normal birth ideology"? These outcomes suggest to me that quite the opposite is true; the "ideology" maternity services are facing is highly medicalised, technocratic and ultimately short sighted.
November 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Why, in the face of this information, are we concerned about so called "normal birth ideology"? These outcomes suggest to me that quite the opposite is true; the "ideology" maternity services are facing is highly medicalised, technocratic and ultimately short sighted.
Reposted by Dr Kirsten Small PhD
Published today in the Conversation theconversation.com/whats-the-di...
What’s the difference between a home birth and a free birth?
They sound similar but come with very different potential risks.
theconversation.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Published today in the Conversation theconversation.com/whats-the-di...
Reposted by Dr Kirsten Small PhD
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.
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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...
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November 7, 2025 at 7:45 AM
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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.
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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)