Here you can find helpful resources and information to guide you through each stage of your pregnancy and support you as you enter parenthood.
The importance of the First 2000 Days of Life
The first 2000 days of life (conception to age 5) is a critical time for physical, cognitive, social and emotional health. What happens in the first 2000 days has been shown to have an impact throughout life.
Watch these videos to learn more about the role we all play in supporting the positive growth and development of all children.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum
What is nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP)?
Many pregnant women feel sick (nausea) and, or may vomit during early pregnancy. This can vary from mild to moderate and still be considered part of the normal
experience of pregnancy. People used to call this “morning sickness” but we now refer to it as nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, or NVP. In mild and moderate NVP women are still able to eat and drink. Around 7 in 10 pregnant women will experience NVP, but they usually feel better after the first trimester.
What is hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)?
When nausea and vomiting become severe, lasting for more than a few days, women will find it hard to eat or drink enough. This severe NVP is called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Around 1 in 100 pregnant women will experience HG, although this number may be higher. It may lead to dehydration (lack of fluid in the body) and cause weight loss and vitamin deficiencies. HG usually starts early in pregnancy, before women are 16 weeks pregnant. For most women, HG stops between 13 to 20 weeks, while a few women have HG their entire pregnancy
Hyperemesis Directory of Services (PDF, 327KB)
Breastfeeding services and support
Breastfeeding support is available at Central Coast Local Health District both antenatally and postnatally through a range of services.
Antenatal support
Gosford Hospital Antenatal Clinic – Discuss with your midwife or care provider
Postnatal support
Child and Family Health Nursing Services – Breastfeeding support drop-in sessions
Clinics – Lactation support via Gosford Antenatal Clinic, by appointment
Discuss with your midwife or care provider.
Access other services, support, resources and advice
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)
Including their Breastfeeding Helpline – 1800 686 268 (24 hours, everyday) and mum2mum app. The ABA is Australia’s peak breastfeeding body, offering breastfeeding information, resources, online education classes, podcast episodes and more.
Karitane
Call 1300 227 464, and the Virtual breastfeeding clinic.
Tresillian Family Care Centres: Baby Advice & Parenting Tips
Parents Help Line – 1300 272 736
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Hotline – 1800 882 436
MotherSafe
Helpline – 1800 647 848 for concerns about exposures (e.g. medications, radiation) while breastfeeding.
Raising Children Network – the Australian parenting website.
Additional resources
ABA Multilingual Breastfeeding Booklets: How Breastfeeding Works (Australian Breastfeeding Association and Multilingual Health Communication Service)
Skin-to-skin contact – Australian Breastfeeding Association
The first week – Australian Breastfeeding Association
The benefits of breastfeeding
Why is breastfeeding recommended?
For most babies, breastmilk is everything they need to be well and healthy for the first six months of life. Exclusively breastfeeding (when the baby is only given breastmilk) maximises the benefits of breastfeeding for families. Your midwife of healthcare provider can discuss the benefits of breastfeeding with you.
Benefits for baby
Breastmilk contains essential elements to protect and build your baby’s immune system. Breastmilk changes from feed to feed to meet the needs of each baby and promotes healthy growth and development. Breastfeeding also promotes attachment between you and your baby through close interaction and skin-to-skin contact. Babies who receive breastmilk also have a reduced risk of some health conditions including urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disorders, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and diabetes.
Benefits for mother
Breastfeeding has significant health benefits for mothers. It may help the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state faster, reduce the risk of mothers with gestational diabetes (GD) developing type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and pre-menopausal breast cancer and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.