About ACE Graphics

ACE Graphics provides teaching materials, equipment and other resources for those working in the maternity services, especially childbirth educators, midwives, community health nurses and physiotherapists. We've been supplying these resources since 1995, when we launched our first product, a flexible plastic pelvis (that didn't have unsightly nuts and bolts holding it together!). Our next effort was a fetal doll model with a placenta and cord that could be used with the pelvis.

Since our whole philosophy revolves around the principle that women's bodies are designed to give birth efficiently and safely (if they are given a chance) we have set out to produce a range of products that reflect women's innate abilities. Our first series of charts showed the cardinal movements of the baby during birth, with the woman in an upright position - a world first!

From there we have further developed the range, each time showing a view of a woman doing it herself, and giving birth instead of being "delivered" of a baby. Our Giving Birth charts again broke new ground and this series has been widely commended for its inspiring illustrations - the woman is even shown catching her own baby, a real possibility when she is not lying on her back to give birth.

We have also been busy publishing a range of books to complement the teaching aids. Preparing for Birth was our first title, and quickly established itself as the preferred handout for prenatal classes in hospital classes across Australia and New Zealand and with independent educators. It has undergone several revisions, each time having new and updated material added to ensure it is relevant and accurate. The latest edition, Preparing for Birth: Mothers even shows the "cascade of intervention" stemming from an induction, vital information not included in other handbooks for expectant parents. In 1999 a new companion volume was released: Preparing for Birth: Fathers and this has also proven a hit with expectant dads, who appreciate its no-nonsense "trouble shooting" layout and practical tips for helping out during labour and birth.

For educators we firstly published Andrea Robertson's Teaching Active Birth (1987) which immediately went to the top of the "must have list" for those working with expectant parents. This book broke new ground and showed how to motivate and excite women with the concepts of active birth and how these can be used in practice. In 1994 a completely new edition was released under the title Empowering Women - Teaching active birth and this has been a consistent best seller and essential reading of many midwifery training courses.

In 1994 we published Marsden Wagner's book Pursuing the Birth Machine - the search for appropriate birth technology. He was looking for a publisher with commitment to the cause of better births for women and babies and the ability to produce a quality product. We were happy to oblige!

In 1998, the book many midwives describe as "their bible" was produced: The Midwife Companion - the art of support during birth by Andrea Robertson. This is the book every midwife needs - packed full of helpful tips on how to really be "with women" in ways that don't disturb the natural process yet enhance the woman's natural flow of hormones.

Our range of charts and models continues to grow as well. We are gradually replacing those outdated birth charts with women in horizontal positions with a series of technical charts that illustrate the basics with women upright. Check out the pelvic floor chart - here for the first time you can compare what happens to a woman's body when she gives birth upright rather than lying down - what a difference!

All our products are carefully prepared and made with accuracy, durability and usefulness in mind. There are always new items in the pipeline and it pays to check us out from time to time to see what's new. If you have an idea that is innovative, midwifery orientated and woman centred, let us know - maybe we can help you get onto the world stage with your great idea!

UK Branch Office

To meet a growing demand for our products and services from the UK and European market, in 1994 we opened a branch office in Sevenoaks, Kent, on the southern edge of London. Now well established and providing unique services in the region, this office continued to grow and thrive, offering our products closer to home for those living on the other side of the world.