Pregnancy and birth supports

Very thin needles gently put into the skin by a trained person. This is believed to help the natural flow of energy in the body. It may be a way to:

• ease pain or lower stress,
• try to start labour in late pregnancy,
• turn babies during pregnancy.

Trained people who can support you with all things breastfeeding or breast concerns, one on one or in a group.  You could use breastfeeding support:

• in good times, to enjoy how it is going.
• when you are not sure how breastfeeding is going.
• when breastfeeding is hard and not going well.
• if you want to stop breastfeeding

This service can support you in the right way for you and your baby.

Lactation consultants work in the hospital and in the community and are for all stages of the breastfeeding journey.

Helpful links/contacts

• Australian Breastfeeding Association
  • Hotline number - 1800 mum2mum (1800 686 268)
• Breastfeeding support in Western NSW

A trained person who uses pressure on different parts of the body, such as the back, to ease pain and help with body movement. This may help:

• fix body pains,
• fix the spine or pelvis,
• create more space for baby during pregnancy,
• give mum comfort.

A trained health worker who helps you know the right amount and type of food for your body and baby. You may use a dietician at any time in your life to help you live more healthily. A nutritionist can help you know how food and drink can help you be healthy.  They teach families about their diet before, during and after pregnancy.

They may help if you:

• have diabetes,
• are overweight,
• are underweight,
• have health worries for yourself or your family.

Helpful links/contacts

• Healthy Eating Active Living - Pregnancy and Healthy Eating – NSW Government

Fitness before and during pregnancy and after birth can help your body and your mental and social wellness.  A trained person will help you know what kind of movement your body needs.  There are many ways for you to enjoy fitness:

• By yourself, and self-planned
• Personal training
• Private fitness
• Community fitness group.

Helpful links/contacts

• Small changes to get active and improve your health - NSW Government Healthy Eating Active Living website

A person who uses their hands on the body to help relax tight muscles and lower stress or pain.  A massage therapist can teach you and your support people how to do a massage, to help you relax before, during and after birth.

Fertility specialist and pre-conception support

Medical specialist who can help when it's hard to fall pregnant.  Couples or single women may use a fertility specialist when they are not able to get pregnant or want to plan a pregnancy. Preconception care can improve your chances of getting pregnant, being healthy when pregnant and having a healthy baby.

General practitioner (GP)

A doctor who takes care of basic health needs.  They also refer people to specialists when needed.  Your GP can support the physical and mental health needs of you and your family.  You can see them when you are unwell or worried about a health problem.  You might see one when you are trying to have a baby or when you think you may be pregnant.  They can arrange tests to confirm the pregnancy and help you find out what’s next. This can include:

• checking your and your partner’s health before you become pregnant,
• testing family traits,
• taking vitamins and supplements,
• speaking with a counsellor,
• exploring how you are feeling pre-pregnancy,
• talking about your future,
• a mix of all or some of these things.

Find a GP near you using the Healthdirect Service Finder website.

Obstetrician

A specialist doctor who cares for pregnant and birthing women.  In the hospital setting obstetricians care for complex health problems in pregnancy and birth, but they may also care for other pregnant women if hired privately.  Obstetricians can help with:

• fertility advice and treatment
• information and clinical care through pregnancy, birth and post birth
• complex, multiple or high-risk pregnancies and births

Maternal and fetal medicine specialist

A specialist doctor who provides care for women and families with a complex pregnancy, who may need additional monitoring, testing and support.  

They are usually located in larger hospitals, in major cities such as Sydney.  An obstetrician will refer you to a maternal and fetal medicine specialist service, if it is needed for your pregnancy care.

Pregnancy sickness support

Many women feel sick and throw up when pregnant.  Some may experience severe sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).  There is help for women who feel these things when pregnant.  You can talk to your GP, midwife and obstetrician or visit the emergency department.  Different medicines and fluid can help.

Learn more about the support available for pregnancy sickness in Western NSW.

General practitioner (GP)

A doctor who takes care of basic health needs for your child.  They also refer people to specialists when needed.  Your GP can support the physical and mental health needs of you and your family.  You can see them when your child is unwell or you are worried about a health problem for your child.  This can include:

• checking your baby's growth and wellbeing,
• testing family traits,
• vaccinations,
• any concerns about your child, including developmental.

Find a GP near you using the Healthdirect Service Finder website.

Paediatrician

Paediatricians are specialist medical doctors trained through to care for infants, children and adolescents when they are sick. They work in hospitals, private practices, and community health centres. A paediatrician may see you in hospital to check your baby before you leave to go home, or may care for your baby if they are unwell.

Neonatologist

Neonatologist are specialist doctors with advanced skills who care for the sickest babies, including those who are born preterm and babies requiring specialist treatment in their first few months.

A trained and registered health worker who helps women through pregnancy, birth and after birth.  Midwives may work through the hospital, with some GPs and specialist obstetricians or may be hired privately.  You can see them as soon as you know you are pregnant.  They provide:

• information through pregnancy, birth and post birth
• parenting classes through the antenatal period
• clinical care through pregnancy, birth and post birth
• information and clinical care of your newborn.

Learn more on the Pregnancy, birth and baby in Western NSW web page.

A trained person who may help improve health naturally using herbs, diet and lifestyle changes.

Child and family health nurse

Health workers trained in caring for children and their family, from baby to school age. They help with:

• parenting groups
• protection against sickness (vaccinations),
• breastfeeding,
• children’s growth,
• family support,
• connecting you and your family with other services or programs you may need.

Learn more about child and family health nurses.

Neonatal intensive care or special care nurse/midwife

Health workers in the hospital setting, who are are trained to care for premature and sick newborn babies.  In addition to caring for the babies they can provide support and educations for the parents and carers of these babies.

Learn more at the Miracle Babies Foundation website.

Women’s health nurse

A trained health nurse who works with women on their needs.  They can help with:

• family planning,
• cervical checks,
• sexual health,
• after birth checks.

Learn more about what women's health nurses can help with.

A trained health worker who uses hands-on pressure to support the whole body.  Osteopaths use gentle joint movement when you have pain or stress in your body.

A health worker that helps with the safe use of medications.  A pharmacist can see if the medications you use are safe when pregnant and breastfeeding.  They can help you find products that may help you before, during and after birth.  They will also be able to help your baby and other children.

Find a pharmacist or chemist near you using the Healthdirect Service Finder website.

For information and advice about the safety of medicines, vitamins and supplements in pregnancy, visit the MotherSafe website or call them on 1800 647 848.

A trained health worker who helps a person with body strength, balance and pain.  They can be helpful when you are pregnant as you feel more pressure on your pelvis.  In the postnatal period (after giving birth) they can help build your pelvic floor, core strength and sex readiness.

A women's health physio is trained in woman's bodies.  They will help you fix or make stronger your:

• pelvis,
• lower back,
• pelvic floor muscles.

They can also help you with how and when you wee and poo.

Helpful links/contacts

• Allied health services in Western NSW
• Healthdirect Service Finder website
• Pelvic floor health for expectant and new mums - Continence Health Australia

Use of natural plant oils and smells to help with body and emotional needs.  Oils are used in steam, candles, on the skin and in cleaning.  Some people use them to help them feel relaxed and safe.

A birth chat or debrief can be done with a person you trust who will listen as you talk about being pregnant, your birth and after birth journey.  

Talking about these journeys can help you think about and better understand what happened. The Pregnancy, birth and after birth experience is different for everyone, so the parts of the journey that someone might want to talk about will be different too. 

A midwife or doctor can talk you through what may have happened and why.  You could speak with an elder woman you trust or you could use a trained counsellor or psychologist.

There are a lot of sources, programs, people and groups that can be found on the internet. This can be through social media, websites and apps, it is important to check the information and suggestions that you find. Online supports are created by many different people:

• Health workers
• Community groups
• People with a special interest

You may learn things that help you or you may not.  Take your time to choose online help that supports your own values and needs.  Some helpful websites include:

• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
• Raising Children Network - The Australian Parenting Website
• Healthdirect

Books and podcasts

There are books and podcasts to cover almost every topic in pregnancy, birth and parenting.  They come in different languages, lengths and reading or listening levels.  They can be fact based or use jokes and stories to share their thoughts.  

You can borrow books from community groups, friends, and the local library.  You can buy books online and in many shops.  

Podcasts are voice recordings, most of the time they are chats between people that cover many topics.  You can listen to podcasts through free or paid services.

Counsellor

A trained person who can help you with your social and emotional needs.  You can use a counsellor at any time in your life when you need someone more than your friends or family.  Counsellors support you one on one or can connect you with groups or support programs.  They can help you:

• talk through your journey before, during and after birth,
• if you need to talk about, or have other support with, your relationships,
• with other problems you might have,
• with domestic violence support,
• with grief support.

Learn more about violence, abuse and neglect services in Western NSW.

Mental Health

Support for your mental health through talking to someone, or medicine.  This help can be in person, one on one, in a group, on the phone or online.  

A GP can make you a mental health care plan.  They can help you find mental health care that works for you.  

There are also places you can stay in to focus on your mental health.  Some online and phone supports are open 24 hours a day, including the Mental Health line - call 1800 011 511.

Community mental health teams

These teams work through the hospital in the community and can help people living with complex mental health concerns.  They help people in crisis or can work with you over time.  You can get referred to the Community Mental Health teams by a GP or doctor, the Mental Health Helpline or you can refer yourself.

People who have had high mental health care needs but are well now should call this team if pregnant.  This will help look after their mental health while pregnant and after birth. 

Those who have high mental health needs now while pregnant should also call these teams.  They can connect you to specialist perinatal mental health psychiatry services and other help to care for your mental health.

Perinatal mental health specialists

This free service works with psychiatrists and health workers that have trained in mental health for pregnancy, birth and after birth.  You may be able to get this support through your local Community Mental Health Team or other health care worker.  Midwives can also link you in with this service.  Please call a perinatal mental health specialist during pregnancy if you have had:

• after birth psychosis,
• serious depression after birth,
• post traumatic stress,
• very bad worry or fear,
• obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD),
• a mood illness (e.g. bipolar). 

Helpful links/contacts

• Mental health, drug and alcohol services in Western NSW
• Beyond Blue - pregnancy and new parents
• Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
• ForWhen - call 1300 24 23 22
• Gidget Foundation Australia - call 1300 851 758
• Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) - call the national helpline (Monday to Saturday) on 1300 726 306
• SMS4dads

A person who can offer emotional and physical support at home and in hospital during labour, birth and after birth.  They provide parenting and birth information, a doula can listen to what you want, answer your questions and help you in many ways.  They can be an extra support to your family and friends, or your main support person

Anyone that you feel close to and safe with. They are people that you choose to spend time with. These are people that will help you whenever you may need it. Friends and family celebrate the wins and are there for you during the tough times.

Community groups

These groups are a great way to find new friends who like the same things as you. You can spend time with people of all different ages and backgrounds. These are helpful if you have moved to a new area or you don't know many people. Some cost money and some are free. You can find community groups through local council, libraries, religious groups, health service and cultural connections. Types of community groups:

• Parent’s groups
• Playgroup
• Women’s groups
• Men’s groups
• Cultural or religious groups
• Family groups
• Farming groups
• Exercise groups.

Women’s circles

A group of women from all stages of womanhood and motherhood that come together to share their stories without judgement.  Attending a women’s circle might help you feel heard and less alone.

This is support for parents who are pregnant with, or current parents of twins, triplets or more. It is either a club, playgroup or through social events. 

These groups give peer support so you can connect to people in situations like yours.  

To find out more about the types of supports near you go to the Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA) website.

Someone who knows how important mental, emotional and social needs are when you are feeling down or anxious.  You can use a psychologist or psychiatrist at any time in your life, when you need strong support for your social and emotional well-being.  They can help you with many topics and focus on psychotherapy and counselling. They see you in one-on-one sessions and can support you with:

• birth experiences,
• grief,
• relationships,
• sex support.

Find a psychologist or psychiatrist near you using the Healthdirect Service Finder website.

Trained health professionals that support families through the newborn and baby stage, with sleep and routine help.  

Sleep consultants help build skills for parents so they can support the sleep needs of the baby.  They work with you and your family to make plans and goals.  

Some programs may offer a place to stay for a short time, or just during the day.  

The Tresillian Parent’s Help Line is a 24 hour phone support that is free for all to use, call 1300 272 736.

A trained professional who supports people in hard times with work, family or money problems.  They help you find ways to cope and link you in with other organisations and support.  They can help with accommodation or travel needs if you need to birth, or your baby needs care, at a hospital that is not close to home.

A place, belief or group of people that connects with you and your spiritual needs.  Spiritual support can be religious groups, a meditation space, or a safe space that feels comfortable for you to use.

All cultures have their own beliefs and things they do before, during and after birth.  During this time, you can think about what you want to continue, change or leave behind.  There are many different cultural groups that might help support you.

A business or person who will look after your children for an agreed time during the day or night.  You can use childcare at any time after the birth of your baby.  There are many forms of care for all ages, at different costs.  There can be long wait times for childcare.

• Day care
• Babysitters
• Au pairs

Find child care support and providers near you.

NSW Government:

• Payments and assistance - Service NSW
• Government help with money
• Legal Aid NSW

Ready to eat meals ordered, paid for and dropped off to your home.  Having meals dropped at your door can be helpful after birth when you are caring for your baby.  These meals will make sure you are getting good healthy food that your body needs. 

You can find companies that provide this service on the internet. Your friends or family may also be able to make and drop off meals for you.

Major grocery stores will be able to home deliver your grocery needs. You can download the stores app, or order online for delivery, you can also order from delivery apps.