'Australia's mothers and babies 2004' is the fourteenth report providing information on births in Australia from perinatal data collections for each state and territory. The report presents demographic, pregnancy and childbirth factors of women who gave birth in 2004 and the characteristics and outcomes of their babies. This edition includes a chapter on first-time mothers and their babies. The report is produced by the AIHW National Perinatal Statistics Unit based at the University of New South Wales, and can be used by researchers, academics, students, policy makers, health service planners, and those providing services in reproductive health.