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258 episodes

BTS: Is Private Maternity Care Really Safer?
06/07/2026 | 16 mins.
A large Australian study comparing public and private maternity care seemed to show better outcomes for mothers and babies in private obstetric-led care, including lower rates of stillbirth, NICU admission, severe perineal tears, and maternal haemorrhage. But the story is much more complicated than the headline suggests.
In this episode of Baby Tribe Shorts, Afif and Anne unpack the study and ask whether it really proves that private care is safer, or whether the results reflect something deeper: differences in patient selection, continuity of care, intervention thresholds, and the fact that public hospitals often absorb the highest-risk pregnancies.
They also discuss why the findings may not translate neatly to Ireland, where private obstetric care usually sits within public maternity hospitals rather than separate private maternity units. The take-home message is not that public care is worse, but that fragmented care, lack of continuity, and risk transfer matter. A high-risk hospital having worse outcomes does not mean it gives worse care. Sometimes it simply means it is looking after the patients who need the most help.
Link to Article: https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.18286
BTS: Paracetamol, Pregnancy and Autism: What Parents Need to Know
29/06/2026 | 14 mins.
In this episode of Baby Tribe Shorts, Afif and Anne tackle the anxiety caused by recent headlines linking paracetamol use in pregnancy with autism, ADHD and intellectual disability. They walk through a major Lancet systematic review and meta-analysis, explaining why the best-quality evidence, especially sibling comparison studies, does not support a causal link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and these neurodevelopmental outcomes.
The episode also explains why paracetamol remains the recommended first-line option for pain and fever in pregnancy, why untreated fever can itself be harmful, and why earlier studies may have suggested a risk because of confounding, recall bias and the reasons people take medication in the first place. The key message for parents is clear: use paracetamol when needed, at recommended doses, and don’t let fear-driven headlines make pregnancy harder than it already is.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanogw/article/PIIS3050-5038(25)00211-0/fulltext
BTS: Should Everyone Be Induced at 39 Weeks?
22/06/2026 | 19 mins.
In this episode of Baby Tribe Shorts, Afif and Anne take a closer look at one of the most influential obstetric studies of the last decade: the ARRIVE trial.
The trial is often used in conversations about elective induction at 39 weeks, especially for low-risk first-time mothers. But what did it actually show? Did induction improve outcomes for babies? Did it really reduce C-section rates? And what happens when the findings of a carefully controlled clinical trial are applied to busy real-world maternity units?
Afif and Anne break down the design of the trial, including who was included, how the induction and expectant management groups were managed, and why the distinction between internal validity and external validity matters. They discuss the key findings, including the lack of significant difference in neonatal outcomes, the reported reduction in C-section rates, and the importance of patience, staffing, careful selection, and clinical context when translating research into practice.
This is not an anti-induction episode. It is an episode about nuance. Induction at 39 weeks may be a reasonable option for some women, but the ARRIVE trial does not mean that every low-risk pregnancy should automatically end at 39 weeks. As always, the real question is not just “what did the study show?” but “does this apply to this person, in this hospital, with these resources, and these priorities?”
Link to Trial: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1800566
134: Baby Gadgets, Gimmicks and Red Flags
15/06/2026 | 52 mins.
This week on Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne take a closer look at the baby products being marketed to exhausted parents, from sleep pods, reflux pillows and weighted sleep suits to formula prep machines, nasal aspirators, rectal wind devices, baby monitors, walkers and bouncers.

The episode is not about shaming parents for buying products that promise help. It is about asking better questions before clicking “add to cart”. Does the product support safety, or does it introduce risk? Is it solving a real problem, or selling reassurance to tired parents? And does it follow the basic principles of safe sleep, safe feeding, safe movement and sensible monitoring?

With practical advice, plenty of honesty, and a healthy suspicion of pastel-coloured nonsense, this episode gives parents a simple framework for deciding what is useful, what is unnecessary, and what should probably stay out of the cot, the bottle, the buggy, or the baby’s holes.

https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/first-aid/choking-in-babies/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
134: Baby Gadgets, Gimmicks and Red Flags
15/06/2026 | 55 mins.
This week on Baby Tribe, Afif and Anne take a closer look at the baby products being marketed to exhausted parents, from sleep pods, reflux pillows and weighted sleep suits to formula prep machines, nasal aspirators, rectal wind devices, baby monitors, walkers and bouncers.

The episode is not about shaming parents for buying products that promise help. It is about asking better questions before clicking “add to cart”. Does the product support safety, or does it introduce risk? Is it solving a real problem, or selling reassurance to tired parents? And does it follow the basic principles of safe sleep, safe feeding, safe movement and sensible monitoring?

With practical advice, plenty of honesty, and a healthy suspicion of pastel-coloured nonsense, this episode gives parents a simple framework for deciding what is useful, what is unnecessary, and what should probably stay out of the cot, the bottle, the buggy, or the baby’s holes.

https://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/first-aid/choking-in-babies/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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About The Baby Tribe

The Baby Tribe podcast is dedicated to providing parents and caregivers with the latest information and expert advice on maternal health and well-being during pregnancy and the postpartum period, in addition to infant health, nutrition, and growth. This podcast covers all the important topics to ensure both you and your little one get off to the best start. The podcast is hosted by the husband and wife duo, Professor Afif El-Khuffash, a neonatologist, paediatrician, and lactation consultant, and Doctor Anne Doherty, an obstetric anesthesiologist with expertise in maternal care. Both Anne and Afif work at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin and together bring over 40 years of combined experience in newborn and maternal health. We share our knowledge and insights on everything from breastfeeding and formula feeding, to introducing solid foods, maternal recovery, and dealing with common health concerns for both mother and baby. We’ll have regular guests to share their expertise and experiences on various topics of interest, and we’ll also hear from real parents sharing their personal experiences and tips for raising healthy and happy families. Whether you're expecting your first child or navigating the postpartum period, this podcast is for you. Tune in each week for valuable information and practical advice to help you and your baby thrive. Please be sure to subscribe to our podcast, and follow us on Instagram! Thanks for joining us, and let’s continue this exciting journey together!

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