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.
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”.
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:
Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Program
Perinatal Emotional Health Program
Early Bird Class Notes – Physiotherapy
Antenatal Care During Pregnancy – RANZCOG
Common Questions in Pregnancy – RANZCOG
Your Healthy Pregnancy – Australian Government, Department of Health
Physical activity advice during pregnancy – Australian Government, Department of Health
Exercise in pregnancy – The Royal Women’s Hospital
Pregnancy Exercise – Sports Medicine Australia
Expecting a baby – National Continence Program
Pelvic floor muscle exercises for women – National Continence Program
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
Food safety during pregnancy – Food Authority, NSW Government
Dental Health Whilst Pregnant – Dental Health Services Victoria
Cytomegalovirus – Australian Government, Department of Health
Cytomegalovirus Transmission – CMV Australia
Toxoplasmosis – Australian Government, Department of Health
Listeria – Victorian Government, Department of Health
Safer Baby – Understanding the five key areas where it is known that stillbirth can be prevented.
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.
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)
The app is FREE and can be downloaded from either iTunes App Store or Google Play.
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
Having a baby – NSW Government
Pregnancy brochure from Health Translations
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