Frances Perry House

Finding out your baby’s gender can be one of the most anticipated moments of your pregnancy or birth 💙 💗. Here are your options for finding out:

- NIPT (Non Invasive Prenatal Testing)- a blood test you can have around 10 weeks of pregnancy. This test, usually arranged by your GP, will confirm your baby’s genetic s*x and detect Downs syndrome and a few other chromosomal conditions. You can expect to have the results within a couple of weeks.

- During a pregnancy ultrasound – after 20 weeks, your sonographer should be able to determine your baby’s gender by looking for their ge****ls.

- At birth there’s no bigger surprise than waiting your entire pregnancy to find out!

If you’re considering your maternity options, click to view our website to discover our ultimate maternity experience.

The happiest of moments shared when baby Ada meets sister Willa. Below, .eustace shares her story and journey of maternity care at Frances Perry House.

“I've been lucky enough to stay in Frances Perry House twice. I specifically chose WOGS (& Pip Costley) so that I could give birth at Frances Perry, having heard amazing reviews and having been born in the Carlton location many, many years ago.

When I had Willa, we were in and out of lockdowns and with that came a lot of anxiety around hospitals and the level of support we may/may not be able to get. I needn't have worried because the level of support for this first time Mum was exceptional. Every single nurse and doctor made me feel supported, informed, and enabled to look after my new baby. This support also extended to my husband who felt much more confident in caring for our daughter and myself while I had limited movement.

Most recently with Ada, we again were so impressed with the care extended to all of us. We have lovely memories of the staff helping in the night nursery telling us with a big laugh that Ada already loved listening to 'The Carpenters' to help her sleep. The Country Road towels, and cheese platter were a lovely touch!

I'd also love to call out the lovely catering staff who always had a big smile on their face when delivering meals (which were again, delicious!)

Overall, our experience has been incredible both stays, and I wanted to formally thank everyone at Frances Perry for making our first few days as a family (both times) a wonderful one.”

Are you deep in the trenches with your baby’s sleep and settling? You are not alone!

Making changes to your baby’s routine and trying new settling techniques can be all encompassing.

Some key things to remember:

• Change starts first with you and then your baby.

• Evidence based, gentle sleep management like

Responsive Settling will not negatively affect your baby.

• Consistency and persistence is important. Change is not quick, and it can take you and your baby weeks to learn new skills in settling.

• You need to be kind and patient with both yourself and your baby when making changes.

• Every parent/care-giver will have their own threshold for needing help. We are all different people with different stressors.

If you feel you need support, know that there is support services available like the Ramsay Health Care’s Early Parenting Centres who can support you with sleep and settling, adjustment to parenthood and so much more.

It's . 🌈🙋Our team are bringing some colour to Frances Perry House during this icy winter.

“My job provides me with the perfect opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s day.” 👩‍⚕️ 💙

Meet Grace 👋. Grace works as a Registered Nurse in the surgical ward at Frances Perry House, whilst also completing her Postgraduate Diploma in midwifery. “The dual role allows me to engage in both nursing and midwifery, giving me the best of both worlds.”

“I am passionate about caring for and advocating for women, whether in surgical or maternity setting.”

Most significantly, Grace has been deeply inspired by witnessing the incredible strength of women during labour.

It’s finally happening! You’re in labour! If you are comfortable and planning to manage early labour at home, it's time to check in with your Ramsay hospital to let them know that labour has started.

Your midwife will assess you over the phone, which will help them understand how much your labour has progressed. If you’re reassured that it’s ok to stay at home – swipe to read some strategies, you can implement.

#

We are pleased to advise our IT teams have successfully restored the servers impacted by the global CrowdStrike network outage, meaning patients can continue to proceed with their upcoming procedures and treatments as planned.

We would like to thank our staff, doctors and patients for their support and understanding as we worked through this outage.

- Important information about network outage -

We are aware of a global network outage impacting many organisations including Ramsay Health Care.

We are assessing the impacts at a local level across our hospitals and health services network to understand which systems are affected and developing contingency plans for patients.

At this stage, we do not know how long the outage will last. During this time, if you have questions regarding current Ramsay patients please contact your local hospital by phone.

We are working to address the situation and appreciate your patience. We will provide further information as the situation changes.

As the CEO of Frances Perry House, I am supporting our community through the life-saving act of blood donation. Donating blood is not just a simple act of kindness; it’s a critical resource for all members of our community, including our mothers and their babies. Complications during childbirth or surgery, can require urgent blood transfusions to save lives.

Every donation can make a tremendous difference and ensures that our Frances Perry House team continues to have the resources they need to provide the safest and best care for mothers and their newborns. When we donate blood, we contribute to a healthier, stronger community for future generations.

Join me in making a difference—one donation at a time.

Kerry May - Chief Executive Officer
Frances Perry House



https://www.facebook.com/lifebloodau/

Are you planning for a baby? 👶 Here’s our top tips for optimising your pre-pregnancy health (and your partner’s too!)

Traveling During Pregnancy: Essential Tips

Traveling while pregnant can be enjoyable with the right precautions. Here are some key tips to ensure a safe and comfortable journey:

✈️Best Time to Travel:
Second Trimester (13-28 weeks): Typically the safest and most comfortable period for travel.

✈️Choose Safe Destinations by
avoiding areas with health risks. Steer clear of destinations with Zika or malaria risks.

✈️Healthcare Access: Ensure your destination has adequate medical facilities.

✈️Stay Comfortable: Wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.

✈️Hydration and Movement: Drink plenty of water and take breaks to stretch.

✈️Travel Insurance: Ensure it covers pregnancy-related issues and do some research on obstetricians or GP’s in your travel destination.

✈️Doctor’s Consultation: Get a check-up before traveling and carry medical records.

✈️Seat Selection: Choose an aisle seat for easy access to move around and wear your plane seatbelt low around your hips and below your belly.

✈️Avoid Risky Foods: Stay away from unpasteurized dairy, raw or undercooked meats, and seafood.

Enjoy your trip and ensure a safe journey for you and your baby.

If you have any specific travel related questions, we recommend you speak to your obstetrician.

At Frances Perry House, our Maternity Care Centre is dedicated to providing comprehensive and high-quality care for you and your baby throughout your pregnancy and up to six weeks post-birth.

Located just around the corner from the hospital, our centre offers a range of services to ensure you feel empowered, informed, and supported.

Our Maternity Care Centre Services Include:

🤰🏼Antenatal Care: Additional monitoring and observation by experienced midwives, in collaboration with your obstetrician.

🤱Breastfeeding Support: Assistance from International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants, available in person or via Telehealth.

🤰🏼Pre-Admission Consultations: Telehealth sessions to discuss your pregnancy, medical history, and answer any questions about your hospital experience.

👶🏻Postnatal Consultations: Support following discharge, including feeding advice, wound care, and postnatal assessments.

❤️Gidget Foundation Services: Free clinical psychological sessions and group treatment programs for emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and early parenting.

Our expert midwives work in partnership with you and your obstetrician to provide personalised care tailored to your needs.

Further information about our Maternity Care Centre can be found here: https://www.francesperryhouse.com.au/Maternity/Maternity-Care-Centre

Baby Kiyana is here and she has the most luscious locks we’ve seen!

Welcome to the world sweet girl. 💖

Essential Newborn Checks!

After the birth of your baby, there are a number of important checks that the specialist team at Frances Perry House will do to ensure your baby is healthy and thriving in the outside world.

1️⃣ Apgar Score: Assessing your baby's heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin colour at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.
2️⃣ Weight and Measurements: Recording your baby's weight, length, and head circumference.
3️⃣ Physical Examination: Checking for any immediate health concerns, such as breathing difficulties or congenital anomalies.
4️⃣ Skin-to-Skin Contact: Encouraging immediate bonding and breastfeeding initiation.

Experience our maternity care firsthand by booking a tour of Frances Perry House today. https://www.francesperryhouse.com.au/Maternity-Education-and-Tours/Maternity-Tour-Bookings

At Frances Perry House, our dedicated midwives believe that informed parents are confident parents, which is why we provide a range of comprehensive educational handbooks to support you on this incredible journey.

From safe sleeping practices to breastfeeding tips and essential baby care, our handbooks cover everything you need to know to feel prepared and confident as you welcome your newborn. Our midwives are always available to answer your questions and provide personalised guidance tailored to your needs.

We understand that challenges can arise once you’re home, which is why we offer our Maternity Care Centre. Located just around the corner from Frances Perry House, this outpatient service provides additional care not only throughout your pregnancy but also up to six weeks post birth. Our team work in partnership with you to ensure you and your baby receive comprehensive and high-quality maternity care that is safe and valuable.

Leave Frances Perry House armed with knowledge, resources, and the assurance that we’re here for you, every step of the way.

Despite the sleepless nights and constant nappy changes, there’s nothing quite like the joy and love that a newborn brings.

Every sleepless night is worth the precious moments you share with your little one.

Hang in there, parents – you’re doing amazing! ❤️

🌈 As Pride Month comes to a close, it is important to reflect on the significance of this time for our LGBTQI+ community and beyond. Pride is not just about celebration; it's about visibility, acceptance, and advocacy for equal rights.
🏳️‍🌈 This month, has been a time for the team at Frances Perry House – along with our Parkville precinct partners - to reaffirm our commitment to fostering environments where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued for who they are.
🌍 Frances Perry House, are proud to carry the spirit of Pride beyond June, championing diversity in all its forms every day. Together, we can create workplaces and communities where everyone can thrive authentically.
+

Bringing your newborn home is exciting but can feel daunting. That's why we introduced the ‘Baby Safe Program’ to give parents and grandparents the latest evidence-based guidance on:

💤Safe Sleeping: Reduce the risk of SIDS and SUDI.
🤒Recognizing Illness: Identify serious signs in young babies.
⛑️First Aid: Essential baby basic life support.

Designed to be informative yet easy to understand this program is suitable for expectant parents, new parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

📅 To book your spot or for further information, visit https://www.francesperryhouse.com.au/Maternity-Education-and-Tours/Baby-Safe-Program

⏳ The Timing of Your Baby’s Birth Matters

Did you know that the timing of your baby's birth can impact their health outcomes? Learn why each week of pregnancy counts and how to discuss the best timing with your obstetrician to ensure the best start for your little one.

The facts:

🔹Full-Term: A healthy term pregnancy is between 38-42 weeks.
🔹Prenatal Care: Regular check-ups to monitor your baby’s development.
🔹Due Date Accuracy: Using ultrasound for precise due date calculations.
🔹Discuss your birth plan with us to ensure the best outcomes for you and your baby.

Further information can be found here: https://everyweekcounts.com.au/

Baby Malee already has the poses!

These gorgeous images were taken by our resident photographer Mishka Studios.

Our website is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to understanding what it’s like to have your baby at Frances Perry House.

Head to https://www.francesperryhouse.com.au/Maternity/Maternity-Home where you can take a tour, learn more about our specialists, book an education class or find out about the facilities and amenities at the hospital.

Just some of the beautiful babies born at Frances Perry House over the last couple of months…

👶🏻 Baby Stella – Obstetrician Dr Carin Black
👶🏻 Baby Isabella – Obstetrician Dr Pip Costley
👶🏻 Baby Thomas – Obstetrician Dr. Kym Jansen
👶🏻 Baby Sophia – Obstetrician Dr. Susan Hiscock
👶🏻 Baby Jude – Obstetrician Dr. Paul Berlund

Images all taken by our resident photographer Mishka Studios

Mum survives 'broken heart syndrome' thanks to hospital teamwork Mum survives 'broken heart syndrome' thanks to hospital teamworkBy Sarah Swain7:14pm Jun 11, 2024 Tweet Facebook Mail A mum whose heart shut down after delivering twins has survived thanks to teamwork across two Melbourne hospitals.Alexandra Judd, 37, was kept alive by an advanced form of life suppo...

Today we introduce you to a technological revolution in women’s health.

Victoria’s first Versius Surgical Robotic System, specialised for women’s health services. Versius is available to patients at Frances Perry House undergoing both routine and complex gynaecological and urogynaecological procedures.

The second of its kind in Australia and the first for Ramsay Health Care, the CMR Versius Robotic System is uniquely designed to meet the needs of surgical teams performing abdominal and pelvic surgery.

Exclusively available at Frances Perry House, it will enable many of our patients to perform minimally invasive gynaecological and urogynaecological surgical procedures (MIS) with heightened precision and ease.

While not all women’s health surgeries at Frances Perry House will utilise this robot, the technology adds to the hospital’s suite of surgical options for patients, ensuring patients have access to a range of treatments to suit their needs.

Introducing Versius, CMR Surgical Versius is different. Radically different. It allows us to think about robotic surgery in a new way. Find out more at https://cmrsurgical.com

It's Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day – a time to break down the stigma around mental health in doctors and health professionals.

Wearing crazy socks might seem like a small gesture, but it carries a powerful message. It's a reminder that it's okay not to be okay, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

So, whether you're wearing neon stripes or polka dots, let's rock those crazy socks raise awareness about mental health in healthcare workers.

ramsaymentalhealth.com.au

We are honoured to have been part of your life journey baby Parker. Welcome to the world.

Congratulations to parents Rhial and Adrian on her arrival.

❤️

Our maternity tours book out weeks in advance so we recommend booking as soon as possible.

Our booking system will allow you to book up to 3 months in advance so get in quick before you miss out.

You will be taken through the birth suites and the maternity ward by one of our staff. Group sizes are kept small to allow us to answer your questions.

BOOK NOW: https://www.francesperryhouse.com.au/Maternity-Education-and-Tours/Maternity-Tour-Bookings