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First Visit Pack

In this information pack you will find valuable reading material which will be useful throughout your pregnancy.

Your first appointment at the Women’s Health Service will ideally take place with the midwife between 8-10 weeks, depending on when we receive your referral from your GP.

Your midwife will go over this pack with you at your First Visit appointment. Please do not hesitate to ask any of the Doctors or Midwives any questions you may have.

It’s a good idea to write down questions and bring the list with you to your next antenatal visit.

What will my pregnancy care look like?

Care is provided by our midwives and obstetricians at various points throughout your pregnancy, please see the Pregnancy Journey Map and the pregnancy visit schedule. There are a number of different ways that you can elect to be supported during your pregnancy, more information is available here.

SWH is a teaching hospital and we aim to provide the best possible experience and environment for nursing, midwifery, allied health, and medical students. Students may be involved in your care by asking to talk to or examine you. We want your experience to be the best one possible for you, so if you have any concerns or would prefer not to to interact with students, you have the right to say “No”.

Women’s Health Service – Antenatal Midwife Care

At the WHS we have 6 permanent experienced midwives that will attend your antenatal appointments or see you in the Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU) if needed. We also have a team of midwives in Camperdown that work in our clinic and staff from the maternity ward that rotate. All Midwives strive to provide our women and their families with a safe, secure and trusting environment.

Meeting your midwife is an exciting time, our friendly staff can guide you through your pregnancy, give you advice and give you someone that you can ask any questions of.  It is our hope that you feel comfortable, supported and empowered to have a positive birthing experience with us.

The Midwifery care offered at the WHS is individualised according to women’s needs and our antenatal team look forward to getting to know you throughout your pregnancy journey.

The following programs are also available at South West Healthcare:

Continuity Midwife Program

Deakin University Flyer – Continuity of Care Experience.

Federation University Flyer – Continuity of Care Experience

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Program

Perinatal Emotional Health Program

Maternity Assessment Unit

Early Bird Class Notes – Physiotherapy

Antenatal Care During Pregnancy  – RANZCOG

Common Questions in Pregnancy – RANZCOG

Your Healthy Pregnancy – Australian Government, Department of Health

COVID-19 advice for pregnant and breastfeeding women:

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may be feeling anxious about how COVID-19 could affect you and your baby. If you are worried or have any questions, we encourage you to speak to your GP or contact Women’s Health Clinic (pregnancy care team).

COVID-19 advice and updates – The Royal Women’s Hospital

COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant and breastfeeding women – RANZCOG

COVID and hospital appointments:

If you are COVID positive or a COVID contact and due to come to the Women’s Health Clinic or Maternity ward for a clinic appointment, please call us during business hours 8:30-4:30 on 5564 4370. In some cases, we may reschedule your appointment, offer you a telehealth appointment, or make arrangements for your arrival.

Exercise during pregnancy

Physical activity advice during pregnancy – Australian Government, Department of Health

Exercise in pregnancy – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Pregnancy Exercise – Sports Medicine Australia

Pelvic floor exercises

Expecting a baby – National Continence Program

Pelvic floor muscle exercises for women  – National Continence Program

Nutrition in pregnancy

Eating well during pregnancy for your baby’s health and development – Australian Government, Department of Health

Healthy eating when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding – eatforhealth.gov.au Australian Government, Department of Health

Food safety during pregnancy – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Healthy eating when you’re pregnant – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Healthy eating when you’re pregnant: Information for vegetarians and vegans – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Healthy eating when you’re pregnant with twins – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Iron in pregnancy – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Vitamin D and pregnancy– The Royal Women’s Hospital

Pregnancy Weight Matters

Food safety during pregnancy – Food Authority, NSW Government

Dental Health

Dental Health Whilst Pregnant – Dental Health Services Victoria

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Cytomegalovirus – Australian Government, Department of Health
Cytomegalovirus Transmission – CMV Australia

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis – Australian Government, Department of Health

Listeria

Listeria – Victorian Government, Department of Health

Safer Baby

Safer Baby – Understanding the five key areas where it is known that stillbirth can be prevented.

  • How to QUIT smoking whilst pregnant.

    If you smoke, the best thing you can do is to stop.

    Stopping at any time in pregnancy will help your baby to have a healthy outcome, the sooner you can quit the better. South West Healthcare offers lots of support to help women stop smoking in pregnancy – your midwife, GP or pharmacist can advise you. Passive smoking (breathing in smoke from other people’s cigarettes) is also harmful in pregnancy, so avoid being around people who are smoking if you can. If your partner or someone else in your household smokes, they can contact Quitline services for support in quitting.

    How to quit while pregnant

    South West Healthcare Smoking Cessation Clinic

    Visit the clinic at Warrnambool Community Health, Koroit Street
    Phone: 5563 4000 Fax: 5563 1699
    Email: intake@swh.net.au
    Opening times:
    Monday 12:30 – 5.00pm
    Wednesday 10.00am – 1.45pm
    Thursday: 8.30am – 1.00pm

    There is no cost to attend the Smoking Cessation Clinic.

    Quit for you – Quit for two (Phone App)

    • This app provides support and encouragement for pregnant women, or women planning pregnancy, to give up smoking.
    • It includes fun exercises and games designed to keep the user’s mind off cravings and to keep their hands busy.
    • The app also includes practical quit tips and advice, as well as facts about the baby’s development to inspire the user to keep going. Ideas are also provided for what the user could buy with the money they’re saving by not buying cigarettes
    • The app can be personalised with the user’s details to receive daily reminders and words of encouragement

    The app is FREE and can be downloaded from either iTunes App Store or Google Play.

Relieving common discomforts during pregnancy

Common discomforts in pregnancy – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Preventing constipation – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain – The Royal Women’s Hospital

Multilingual resources

Having a baby – NSW Government
Pregnancy brochure from Health Translations

Ambulance Victoria

Now that you are pregnant and expanding your family it is a good idea to make sure your ambulance membership is not only up to date but also includes coverage for your new baby when he/she arrives.
Membership – Ambulance Victoria

Do you live more than 100mk away from SWH?

Victorian patient transport assistance scheme

Page last updated: 7 March 2024

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