Mudgee Maternity

Midwifery is about so much more than the physical health of mothers, babies and families. Mental health is so important and huge part of what we do, not to mention the direct impact it has on physical health.

Perinatal Mental Health Week is this week and it shines a light on this time in life (from conception to 1 year post birth), as it can be a particularly vulnerable time for birthing people and their families. This week we’d like to highlight what continuity of care from a known midwife can do to protect mental health and that there are many studies which back this up.

We hope by doing this it will raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health and illness in the perinatal period, giving those who may need it and space and courage voice their needs and ask for help when they need it. It will also encourage those around them to offer help and increase their understanding of perinatal mental health. ♥️🌻

Posted • Tomorrow Perinatal Mental Health Week goes LIVE!​​​​​​​​
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Join us from tomorrow to understand perinatal mental health a little more and find the right resources and support that could help you or someone you love!​​​​​​​​
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It’s is important that parents do not suffer alone. We 47 organisations) unite to use one powerful voice to help raise awareness, reduce stigma and ensure those that need support can access the right support for them, at the right time. ​​​​​​​​
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How will you get involved?

October 15th is International Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
It is a day dedicated to remembering all babies gone too soon.

At 7pm your local time on October 15, people all over the world will light candles in memory of their beloved children. Due to different time zones this will form a continuous wave of light going around the Earth.

We invite you to participate and join a community of people remembering their babies. We encourage you to light a candle at 7pm (your time) this Saturday October 15th.

Our support team are here when you need at no cost to you www.bearsofhope.org.au/seek-support/counsellor-support

Happy World Breastfeeding Week

Educate, Support, Normalise

📷 credit Moomysmilk

❄️❄️ Our gorgeous winter issue is out now, packed full of treats for you and your little ones! You can pick up TNP from your local countdown or selected stockists in NZ or for our Aussie Friends - check out your local newsagent. Plus it’s available to purchase locally and internationally online here: https://linktr.ee/TheNaturalParentMagazine ❄️❄️

GET UP! STAND UP! SHOW UP!

Happy NAIDOC Week 🥳

This year’s theme represents what our Mob have been doing for many many years. It’s now time for the rest of the country to get up, stand up and show up, not just on NAIDOC Week, but everyday after.

When we think of the theme, we think about the incredible First Nations people in every walks of life, doing the work and fighting for change.

What does this year’s NAIDOC theme mean to you?
🖤💛❤️💙🤍💚

Artwork by: Mulganai - Emma Hollingsworth

All babies in NSW can now be tested for two rare but potentially fatal genetic disorders.

Screening tests for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) will be offered to all new parents within 48-72 hours of their baby’s birth.

The tests will be provided to around 100,000 babies each year, saving the lives of up to 13 newborns likely to have these genetic disorders, including 10 from SMA and three from SCID.

SMA occurs in one in 10,000 births and causes progressive muscle wastage and weakness. It is the leading genetic cause of infant death and, without treatment, newborns have a life expectancy of around nine months.

SCID occurs in one in 40,000 births and results in a weakened immune system. It is usually fatal in a baby’s first year of life due to infection. However, most babies with the disorder (around 94%) will survive if they are provided life-saving stem cell treatment before they are three and a half months old.

The two tests have been added permanently to the NSW Newborn Screening Program in an Australian first following a successful four-year trial. With newborns receiving these tests in their first three days, parents can have greater confidence their baby will thrive in their first year of life.

For an overview of the panel of tests offered by the NSW Newborn Screening Program, visit the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network website: www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/find-a-service/laboratory-services/newborn-screening

Hospital to Home is a program operating throughout Australia, that provides support within 3 months of loss to bereaved parents. This includes those who have experienced the death of a baby or infant through stillbirth (including TFMR), neonatal death or the sudden unexpected death of an infant (SUDI).

Support can be provided face-to-face, by phone or videoconference and is tailored to individual needs.

Please reach out if you or a loved one needs support. You can either refer yourself or health professionals can refer on behalf of parents: https://rednosegriefandloss.org.au/support/article/hospital-to-home

We absolutely love this visual by The Breastfeeding Dietitian 🙌⁠
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Most babies feed like the blueberries. Some big feeds and some small feeds. Some feeds close together and others spaced further apart. And then there's 'cluster feeding' – where your baby feeds very frequently (or almost continuously!) over a period of a few hours.⁠
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A rigid breastfeeding schedule can compromise a healthy milk supply. By offering the b**b whenever your baby 'asks' for it, you'll be stimulating your breasts to make more milk because breast milk production works on a ‘supply and demand’ basis – the more milk you remove, the more your body is signalled to make.⁠
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So watch your baby, not the clock and feed according to your baby's hunger cues. This way you'll support a healthy milk supply that's attuned to your baby’s needs.⁠

shared via Boobie Bikkies

🍂🍁 For support in your gentle parenting journey, pick up a copy of our gorgeous autumn issue which is out now!. Grab your copy from supermarkets throughout NZ and newsagents throughout Australia! To find your local stockist, or to subscribe, visit https://linktr.ee/TheNaturalParentMagazine
🍂🍁

If you are pregnant and struggling with nausea, vomiting and unable to eat or drink much you may be suffering from a pregnancy illness called Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

You are not alone, find out more https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/Pages/hyperemesis-gravidarum.aspx

Tomorrow is Say Their Name day — a day that maternity teams hold dear to their hearts.
Say Their Name is a day to honour babies that have passed away. It’s a day to encourage conversation and to break the stigma.
We are especially remembering all Angel babies born to our Mudgee Mums and Dads tomorrow.

Are you a new parent looking for information and support?

Parenthood can be overwhelming, but you are not alone, and there is support available.

For support with sleep and settling your baby:

• Karitane - 1300 227 464 or https://karitane.com.au/sleep-and-settling
• Tresillian - 1300 272 736 or https://www.tresillian.org.au/advice-tips/settling/
• Raising Children's Network - https://raisingchildren.net.au/

For information about Infant Feeding:

• Australian Breastfeeding Association - 1800 686 268 or https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/index.html
• NSW Health Breastfeeding your baby factsheet - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/breastfeeding

For online resources about Child Development, visit:

• Learn the Signs. Act Early - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/Pages/learn-the-signs.aspx
• Love. Talk. Sing. Read. Play - https://ltsrp.resourcingparents.nsw.gov.au/program
• Bright Tomorrows App - https://www.brighttomorrows.org.au/
• Raising Children's Network - https://raisingchildren.net.au/

For immediate mental health support:

• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression) - 1300 726 306 or https://panda.org.au/
• NSW Mental health line - 1800 011 511
• Parent Line NSW - 1300 1300 52 or https://www.parentline.org.au/

To find child and family health services in your area, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/Pages/health-services-map.aspx

Please speak to a licensed mental health professional or your GP if you have serious concerns for your mental health.

For emergency support, please call Triple Zero (000).

If you have concerns about your health or the health of your baby, you can call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be connected with a registered nurse, or visit their website: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/

More info: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/advice-high-risk-groups/pregnant-and-new-parents

Should I get a COVID-19 booster dose if I’m pregnant?

Yes, the booster is safe and will help protect you and your baby.
If you’re aged 16+ and had your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago you should get your booster. Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for pregnant women.

More: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated/boosters

✨ January Statistics ✨

We’ve gathered a team of midwives to squat for this incredible cause. Follow the link below to donate. We’ll be sharing updates and videos along the way!

Support Alicia to Squat for Breast Cancer Research This March, I will take on the 55 Squat Challenge by completing 55 squats a day to raise vital funds for breast cancer research. Please support me today!

Blocked ducts can be painful and let's face it, they are a bit annoying, especially if they keep happening.

Chatting to an ABA Breastfeeding Counsellor can be helpful for finding the cause of your blocked ducts, and discovering ways to manage them.

You can also find some strategies for relieving blocked ducts here: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/common-concerns%E2%80%93mum/blocked-ducts

If you are pregnant and have recovered from COVID-19, make sure that you have a face-to-face appointment with your maternity care provider.

If you have missed an antenatal care appointment during your self-isolation, reschedule as soon as possible.

They will assess you and your baby to make sure you’re both well, and will work with you to create an individualised plan for the rest of your pregnancy.

More info: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/management/advice-for-confirmed

If you’re pregnant and have tested positive to COVID-19, it’s important for you to let your maternity care provider know. This may be your GP, midwife, obstetrician or local maternity service. You can also call the NSW Health COVID-19 Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933.

You should rest up and have plenty of fluids, and if you feel unwell, you can take paracetamol (Panadol) to help with symptoms. It is important to move regularly to reduce your risk of developing blood clots.

Ibuprofen (Nurofen) is not safe to take while you are pregnant.

It is important to keep a close eye on your baby’s movements.

Call your maternity care provider immediately if you have any concerns, if your baby’s movements change, or if you experience:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Constant clear watery vaginal discharge
• Contractions any time before 37 weeks
• Fever
• Headaches
• Sudden swelling of your face and hands
• Labour

If you have difficulty breathing, develop chest pressure or pain lasting more than 10 minutes, or have severe headaches or dizziness, you should call triple zero (000) immediately and tell them you have COVID-19 and are pregnant.

More info: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/advice-for-confirmed.aspx

📰 Postnatal depression: Why we need to be more honest about early parenthood 📰

"I know I'm not the only one to be exhausted and have a baby, or the only one to have no family nearby while juggling a baby in a pandemic. But it can feel like I am.

I know it will get easier and that aspects of my previous life will filter back through over time.

I know that when my son grows into a surly teenager I'll look back on these baby years fondly and realise how beautiful they actually are.

But, for now, I just need to get through each day. It's as though that cliched light at the end of the tunnel is within my reach and I have no idea how to grasp it.

However, this story isn't a cry for help, it's a step towards empowerment and awareness.

Because we need to be honest about the challenges of parenthood, admit that it's not always amazing and remind each other that we are not alone."

Read Prue's story about experiencing postnatal depression: https://loom.ly/Ijkl5Fw

Have you heard of cluster feeding?

This refers to a period of time when your baby seems to want a lot of short feeds very close together.

This is very normal.

Read our article at https://aba.asn.au/icantputthemdown

✨ December Statistics ✨

https://youtu.be/td2vj2HV7w0

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