Giving birth safely Having a baby in Australia is generally considered safe regardless of the location. Healthy women assessed to be 'low risk' should be offered a choice of where to give birth.
Maternal deaths in Australia
In Australia, where childbirth is safe for most women, maternal death is rare. All maternal deaths are reviewed by health professionals to determine the likely cause and whether the pregnancy contributed to the death.
Australia is one of the safest places in the world to give birth. And yet our health system sometimes fails women, their families, and the professionals who provide support. The Birth Project is a deep dive into pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences, right across Australia.
Will my baby be an Australian citizen? If your baby is born in Australia, and at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of the baby's birth, they will automatically be an Australian citizen.
Children born in Australia, with a birth certificate issued in Australia, are not automatically Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents. To be an Australian citizen, at least one parent must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia at the time of the child's birth.
Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a 2-part payment to help with the cost of raising children. FTB may include a one-off lump sum of Newborn Upfront Payment. FTB may also include Newborn Supplement, which is an increase to your FTB for 13 weeks.
While you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas where there is risk of malaria, including Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. If travel to these areas cannot be avoided, your ob-gyn or other health care professional may prescribe an antimalarial drug that is safe for pregnant women.
Best countries in the world for a child to be born in have been revealed, the 2020 index shows that children in South Korea and Norway have the best chance at survival and wellbeing, while the United States ranks 36th.
In 2020-21, the fertility rate was 1.66 babies per woman, similar to the rate recorded in 2018-19. In 2019-20, the rate had fallen to 1.61 babies per woman. According to the report, the data suggests people “adapted to the uncertainty of the pandemic and quickly caught-up on delayed childbearing plans”.
Fertility rates in Australia and around the world
Dr Allen says the decline in the average number of children per woman is a result of increased education and paid employment for women. Women are starting families later and consequently having fewer children, and more people are choosing to be child-free.
In Australia, a caesarean section is a common and relatively safe surgical procedure, but it is still major surgery. As with all surgical procedures, there are risks for both you and your baby. Some of the more common risks and complications include: above-average blood loss.
According to the latest UN global estimates, 303,000 women a year die in childbirth, or as a result of complications arising from pregnancy. This equates to about 830 women dying each day – roughly one every two minutes.
Common examples include if you have high blood pressure, an elevated body mass index, a high risk of pre-eclampsia, a pre-existing medical condition, or your baby is known to be small (called fetal growth restriction) or at significant risk of becoming so.
Most countries aren't blessed with an abundance of natural resources; apart from crude oil Australia ranks in the global top 15 exporters for all major commodities (including agricultural products). This provides the economy with some natural protection when commodity prices are elevated, as they are now.
In 2021, the National Australian Bank's study, 'Life in the Lucky Country', found that 94 per cent of Australians still find this island nation a great place to live.
Therefore, pregnant women can work 40 hours a week if the working conditions are safe for them to do so. If a pregnant employee begins to work over 40 hours a week and is subject to a lot of stress, it could be harmful to their health and the health of their unborn child.
Risks of long-distance travel during pregnancy
Long periods of not moving during car, bus, rail and air travel increases the risk of clots forming in the deep veins of the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These clots can circulate and lodge in parts of the body such as the lungs.
Flying while pregnant
Air travel is generally safe if you're having an uncomplicated pregnancy. If you have any pregnancy complications, check with your midwife or GP that there's no medical reason to stop you flying, such as high blood pressure or a risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement
The Newborn Supplement is calculated based on your income and the number of children in your care. The most you can receive is $1725.36 for your first child and $576.03 for subsequent children (as of April 2022).
When the 2002 Baby Bonus was first introduced, it was predicted by some that the incentive would encourage an increase in teenage, single and young mums.