Postnatal Resources
Women's Health
Postnatal Resources
Congratulations, and welcome to your new baby! The few weeks after you have your baby can be very challenging and very rewarding. There are a number of resources and groups in the community that provide support for new parents. Here are some suggestions of where to start looking for information. Your GP or practice nurse will be able to advise which resources might be most helpful for you.
Parental wellbeing:
If you developed a problem such as high blood pressure or diabetes during the pregnancy, you are more at risk of developing these conditions in the future. You doctor will tell you how often you need to be checked following the pregnancy.
- If you had gestational diabetes during the pregnancy, it is recommended you have a yearly blood test with your doctor. If you continue the diet you were prescribed during the pregnancy, this can help prevent or delay the development of Type II diabetes.
- If you had gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia, you are advised to have a yearly blood pressure check with your doctor.
| Breastmilk |
Room Temperature |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
| Freshly expressed into a closed container |
6–8 hrs (26ºC or lower). If refrigeration is available store milk there |
No more than 72 hours. Store in back, where it is coldest |
2 weeks in freezer compartment inside refrigerator (-15°C) 3 months in freezer section of refrigerator with separate door (–18°C) 6–12 months in deep freeze (–20°C**) |
| Previously frozen— thawed in refrigerator but not warmed |
4 hours or less
|
Store in refrigerator
|
Do not refreeze |
| Thawed outside refrigerator in warm water |
For completion of feeding |
Hold for 4 hours or until next feeding |
Do not refreeze |
| Infant has begun feeding |
Only for completion of feeding, then discard |
Discard |
Discard |
**Chest or upright manual defrost deep freezer that is opened infrequently and maintains ideal temperature
*Reproduced with permission from National Health and Medical Research Council 2012, Infant Feeding Guidelines. NHMRC, Canberra p59.
Nutrition Australia:
www.nutritionaustralia.org
- Information on iron rich foods
Osteoporisis Australia:
www.osteoporosis.org.au
- How to improve your vitamin D and calcium levels for bone health
Jean Hailes:
www.jeanhailes.org.au
– gestational diabetes
Pregnancy, birth and baby:
www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
- physiotherapy advice after pregnancy
Continence Foundation of Australia :
www.continence.org.au
- pregnancy and postnatal
Royal Women’s Hospital Melbourne:
www.thewomens.org.au
‘Your health after birth – exercise’
Family Planning Victoria:
www.fpv.org.au - postnatal-contraception
Mayo Clinic:
www.mayoclinic.org/ ‘Sex after pregnancy: set your own timeline’
PANDA:
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia - 1300 726 306
(For mothers and fathers)
Beyond Blue:
www.beyondblue.org.au
‘Pregnancy and early parenthood’ , ‘Dadvice’ - short videos on fatherhood for new and experienced dads.
SMS4dadsSA:
www.sms4dadssa.com.au
-tips, information and links to other services help fathers understand and connect with their baby and support their partner
Australasian birth trauma association:
www.birthtrauma.org.au/
- Information on physical and psychological birth trauma.
The Pink Elephants Support Network:
pinkelephantssupport.com
- Pregnancy after loss, Postpartum wellbeing
‘The Discontented Little Baby Book’ by Dr Pamela Douglas, ‘Becoming Mum’ by Koa Whittington, ‘Toddler Taming’ by Christopher Green and other books are available to borrow from reception
Feeding baby:
Breastfeeding helpline:
1800 686 268.
If you need an interpreter call 131 450, request the language you need, and ask to be put through to the breastfeeding helpline.
Australian Breastfeeding Association:
www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
Detailed breastfeeding information, including expressing and storing breast milk.
Lactation consultants of Australia and New Zealand:
www.lcanz.org/
‘Find a lactation consultant near you’
The lactation unit at the hospital where you delivered your baby and your visiting CaFHS nurse can also provide support. You can also make an appointment with Helen Davis who works as a lactation consultant at this clinic. T o book, call
Possums education:
www.education.possumsonline.com
‘Gestalt breastfeeding online program’
YouTube :
Paced Bottle Feeding by The Milk Mob
Babycenter:
www.babycenter.com.au
‘How much formula milk does my baby need’
Raising Children Network:
www.raisingchildren.net.au
‘ Bottle feeding’ , ‘Baby cues: video guide’
Child Health:
Health Direct:
1800 022 222
– 24 hour health advice
Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne:
Kids Health Info app - quality, up-to-date child health information
Extra support:
Night Nannies:
www.nightnannies.com.au
- Baby sleep guidance, postnatal care (private cost)
Parent Helpline South Australia:
1300 364 100
(cost of a local call) 24 hour parent support & advice
Women’s and Children’s Health Network:
www.cyh.com
‘Children and babies in hospital’
Baby sleep:
The Baby Friendly Initiative:
www.unicef.org.uk
‘Caring for your baby at night’ – information on co-sleeping
Adelaide based sleep support:
www.thebabysleepdoctor.com.au
and www.sleepeducation.net.au
Possums education:
www.education.possumsonline.com
‘The Baby Sleep Film’ (Paid resource)
The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network: www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au
‘Newborn Sleep’
Other Family Members:
Pregnancy, birth and baby:
www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au
‘grandparents’
Parenting SA: www.education.sa.gov.au
- Parent easy guides ‘second baby’, ‘blended families’,
We would also available to support you with your future family plans. Let us know if we can assist you with your birth control needs, or a pre-pregnancy check before you try for another baby.