Caroline de Costa: Caesarean Birth

6pm for 6.30pm Saturday 10th October Caroline de Costa in conversation with Kirsten Black and Anne Summers 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 today on outcomes, informed consent, understanding obstetric trauma and the rising incidence of obesity, diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy. New science about maternal and infant microbiomes adds to the changed birth landscape. Caroline de Costa delivers answers for expectant parents that covers the latest research, explaining how and why caesareans are performed, their benefits and risks, and what the future holds for caesarean birth. Caroline de Costa was Australia's first woman professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at James Cook University College of Medicine and Dentistry in Cairns, Queensland; she is now an adjunct professor at The Cairns Institute of JCU. She has spent more than 45 years as an obstetrician and gynaecologist and an academic teaching medical students and trainee doctors. Caroline is the author or co-author of more than 160 peer-reviewed papers on topics relevant to obstetrics and gynaecology. Professor Kirsten Black is an academic gynaecologist and Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health at the University of Sydney. In 2018 she was awarded the Professor J.A.Young medal for exemplary service to the Sydney Medical School, the University and the Community and excellence in research. In 2025 she was awarded the Presidents Medal from RANZCOG for her significant contribution to the field of sexual and reproductive health. Dr Anne Summers AO is a journalist, commentator and best-selling author of ten books. She is currently an Honorary Professor of Domestic and Family Violence at UTS. Previously, she was an advisor for Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, ran the Office of the Status of Women, was Canberra Bureau Chief for the Australian Financial Review, editor-in-chief of America’s leading feminist magazine Ms., editor of Good Weekend, chair of the Board of Greenpeace International and a Trustee of the Powerhouse Museum. Anne was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia for her services to journalism and to women in 1989; had her image on a postage stamp as an Australian Legend in 2011 and in 2017 was inducted into the Australian Media Hall of Fame.