Invercargill Midwife Bernie Archer

05/09/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads Especially to those celebrating it for the first time

11/08/2026

There are things that cannot be broadcasted on social media.

I felt it then and I feel it now.

But one message is really important to share.

Women are being robbed of experiencing a positive and physiological birth. They can be presented with minimal options, with alternatives treated as being unsafe. They can be scrutinised for their “poor choices”, being robbed of control, power and autonomy.

Midwifery and the midwives’ role of supporting birth is under attack. It is presented as a ‘nice to have’ but not essential. But what would a maternity world look like if all women had continuity?

If midwives were respected to work within their role? If obstetricians/doctors came alongside to support the women in their choices when things deviate from normal?

Working harmoniously together for the women and babies’ benefit? That’s what I’m fighting for. 💪

And some maternity services and health care providers are making huge strides towards this new future. Some are acting in ways that are resulting in increased birth trauma, rising caesarean rates and unnecessary interventions.

It’s not one person.
It’s a huge cultural shift that changes one person at a time.

While we continue to fight for a better maternity world, I truly believe all power lies with the women.
To make choices that give them the best possible outcomes based on research and their values.
To choose their support team.
To invest in continuity.
To choose a health service that aligns with them.
To stand up for yourself.
To educate yourself and others.
To demand the care you deserve.

We have a long way to go.
But I ultimately believe in women, and my only goal in this work is to truly be ‘with women’. 🤍

The great birth rebellion podcast

29/05/2026

Nicely summarised An intervention tool prior to Medical Induction but not part of routine anything ,and like all interventions there are risks .

03/05/2026

Somewhat correct

Things that definitely did NOT induce your labor:

The $47 worth of dates you choked down.
Six dates a day for two weeks. You now hate dates. Your baby? Still in there. Unimpressed by your commitment to dried fruit.

The entire fresh pineapple you suffered through.
Your mouth is raw. Your tongue hurts. You have heartburn. Your baby? Cozy as ever. Probably laughing at you.

S*x.
Sorry, husband. I know the internet said it would work. I know you believed in yourself. It didn't. Now you're both exhausted and baby is still vibing in the womb. At least you tried?

That bumpy car ride you took ON PURPOSE.
You drove over speed bumps. You found the worst road in town. You jostled yourself for 30 minutes. Your baby? Rocked to sleep. Thanks for the nap, mom.

Spicy food.
You can't handle spicy food. You ate it anyway. Now you have heartburn AND regret. Your baby? Still gestating. Unaffected by your poor choices.

Curb walking until your hips screamed.
Up and down. Up and down. For an hour. Your legs hurt. Your pelvis is angry. Your baby? Unbothered. Comfortable. Not moving.

The exercise ball you bounced on for 47 hours.
(Okay, it felt like 47 hours.) Your tailbone hurts. You're dizzy. Baby? Nope. Still in there.

Acupressure points.
You rubbed them. You pressed them. You watched YouTube videos about them. Nothing. Your baby apparently doesn't believe in alternative medicine.

The "labor-inducing" smoothie recipe from that mom blog.
$15 of ingredients. Tasted like lawn clippings. Did not induce labor. Did induce disappointment.

Every wives' tale known to humanity.
Red raspberry leaf tea. Evening primrose oil. Long walks. Ni**le stimulation. Watching emotional movies. Cleaning your entire house at 40 weeks pregnant because "nesting induces labor."

None of it worked. Your baby is still in there. Rent-free. Unbothered. Moisturized. In their lane.

Here's what actually works:

Your baby deciding it's time.

That's it. That's the only thing that reliably starts labor.

Your baby will come when they're ready. Not when the dates say. Not when the pineapple suggests. Not when you've bounced yourself into oblivion.

When THEY are ready. When their lungs are mature. When their brain sends the signal. When everything is perfectly aligned for their arrival.

I know you're done being pregnant. I know you're uncomfortable. But they're on their own timeline.

So save your money. Save your energy. Skip the suffering.

Your baby knows when it's time. Trust them. ❤️

Now tell me: What ridiculous thing did YOU try to induce labor? And what actually worked? (Spoiler: probably just baby being ready, but let's hear the stories!)

30/04/2026