Caroline de Costa

Quality information on caesarean birth is essential. Around 40 per cent of Australian babies are born by caesarean section—now a common part of childbirth, whether planned ahead or done as an emergency when pregnancy or labour takes an unexpected turn. This book, written by one of Australia's leading obstetricians, traces how perceptions of caesarean birth have changed, with the focus...

“We never train women in Sydney," Caroline de Costa was told in 1974 when she applied to become a junior registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology. She and her husband packed their bags and their children, and headed for Dublin. When Caroline first started in medicine, being an unmarried mother was frowned on, cane toads were used for pregnancy tests, and...