Essential oils can be really soothing and helpful in pregnancy. They can also be really effective as a natural remedy to help manage pain during labour and delivery. Here's a selection of our favorite essential oils and how they can be used in labour. Penny recommends finding your personal favorites
Pregnancy
Pet Care and Safety During Pregnancy
Many of us who are pet owners care and love our pets as part of our families. About 62% of Australians own pets and it is estimated there are 24 million pets in Australia.
During pregnancy, our love, care and attention for our pets should not change. However, some pet care responsibilities will
Festive Season Information
Christmas Travel.
Airlines and health care providers do have guidelines for flying in pregnancy. If you are flying overseas during the Christmas season, you will need to be under 32 weeks gestation. If taking a domestic flight, you need to be under 36 weeks gestation. Good hydration and knee high
Pregnancy Tips for Surviving our Sydney Summer
Being pregnant over a hot summer period has its challenges. Here are our best tips to help make it a little easier.
Hydrate well – Good hydration helps keep your body cool and decreases water retention. We recommend drinking at least 2.0 litres per day especially over the hot summer months and more
Whooping Cough and pregnancy.
In late 2018 there were almost 2,500 cases of Whooping Cough reported to the NSW Department of Health, between the months of September and November.
It is vital that pregnant women and their families are aware of what this infection is and how we can best prevent it, in particular, to keep newborns
Sweet Potato Minestrone Soup
With the cooler weather approaching, here is a healthy diabetic friendly soup recipe that is nutritional for both mother and baby.
Perfect for an evening meal and to reheat for work the next day. Enjoy!
Sweet Potato Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
•1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
•3/4 cup diced
Sleep & Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of great anticipation, and excitement- after all, the news that you are expecting is always a time of tremendous change in your life. But along with the great excitement, can come serious disturbances to your regular sleep patterns.
Problems with sleep are often
Good Handwashing
Regular handwashing is the best way to keep yourself healthy and prevent the spread of illness in your family and community. Washing hands physically with soap and water removes germs by way of friction. A good vigorous 20-second rub of front and back of hands and in between fingers, then
What should I pack in my hospital bag for labour?
Our midwives have put together two helpful lists for the essentials needed during your birth and postnatal stay.
It is helpful to pack a smaller overnight bag for the delivery suite and a suitcase for your postnatal stay.
What to Bring to the Delivery Suite:
Your yellow card (in the red
Coconut and Pumpkin Seed Smoothie
This smoothie is packed full of vitamins and minerals to help boost one’s mood and help fight off feelings of anxiety.
Pumpkin seeds are excellent brain food loaded with zinc (helping alleviate symptoms of depression by regulating copper levels).
Avocados are rich in potassium great for supporting
Peanut Choc Lactation Bliss Balls
This super easy non bake recipe is great for an energy boost and healthy milk supply. The three main ingredients which we know are important in boosting breast milk supply are brewers yeast, flaxseed and oats.
Ingredients
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon
Chicken and Vegetable Curry with Basmati Rice
Gabriel Gaté - Recipe for Diabetes. ( Gluten/ Lactose Free )
Ingredients.
1 brown onion chopped
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 piece ginger ( 2cm piece )
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 tablespoons curry powder
8 skinless chicken pieces on the
Blood Testing in Pregnancy
ROUTINE ANTENATAL BLOOD TESTS.
Routine antenatal screening blood tests are performed early in pregnancy to determine if there are any underlying health concerns that may affect you or your baby during pregnancy. They are also conducted to determine your status of immunity for infections, which can
Yellow Card For Pregnancy
Is the yellow card in your handbag?
This yellow card will be given to you at your second appointment with Dr Morris or between 12 and 16 weeks.
It is an important communication card, between Dr Morris, the midwives and the delivery ward teams. This card will contain all of your demographic
Date and Banana Flapjacks
Wanting to include dates in your pregnancy diet? Why not try these delicious Date and Banana Flapjacks.
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
25 mins
Total time
35 mins
These soft baked flapjacks are sweetened with dates and banana, and packed with wholesome oats, buckwheat and quinoa, making them the
The Date Fruit – A Nutritious Powerhouse
The Date – A Nutritious Powerhouse.
The date fruit comes from the date palm, a tree found in the Middle East and also native to North Africa. It is believed that dates originated in Mesopotamia (now Iraq) around 3,500 BC.
Dates come in a wide variety, and all are unique in flavour, size and
Listeria
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria, found naturally in various locations such as soil, sewage, stream water, on animals, plants and food. Listeria infection in humans, listeriosis, is caused by foodborne pathogens in contaminated food products, where the growth of the bacteria has reached
Flotation Therapy in Pregnancy
During the 2nd and 3rd trimesters float therapy is a brilliant way to relax in a weightless environment that gives a lovely sense of wellbeing and calm in pregnancy.
Standard float tanks contain approximately 500kg of Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salt) which will allow effortless floating in a
Travel in Pregnancy
To many people, Christmas time means travel – planes, cars, ships or even buses and trains.
Here are some tips for travelling whilst pregnant.
When travelling, always carry your yellow card and medications in your hand luggage, in case of lost luggage. In case of emergency your yellow
Becoming a Dad
Becoming a Dad is an unimaginable journey where emotions, patience, and confidence will be challenged.
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To help our dads get through this intimate time intact, we offer these suggestions as a guide to help you to feel useful in the delivery room.
Dad Advice - Top Tips
Have
Heartburn & Indigestion in Pregnancy
During the second half of pregnancy, many women experience a burning sensation in the back of the throat which often extends down into the chest. It may be accompanied by an acid taste in the mouth and occasionally with regurgitation of food. This is referred to as Heartburn, Indigestion or
Mothersafe
Mothersafe began in 2000, as a free telephone helpline and website for the women of NSW. Started by Dr Debra Kennedy, a renowned clinical geneticist, who returned from Canada and established the free service. Mothersafe offers evidence based advice to pregnant women and breastfeeding women, who are
Antenatal Blood Testing in Pregnancy
In early pregnancy you will be offered a range of tests to assess your general health, either at the GP when your pregnancy is confirmed or during your 1st trimester. These tests include several blood tests and a urine test to check for anything that may cause a problem for pregnancy and birth. The
Folate/Folic Acid in Pregnancy
The terms folate and folic acid are interchangeable. Folic acid simply refers to the manufactured form of folate; for example, as it is found in vitamin supplements. Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin, obtained entirely through diet and/or supplementation.
Folate plays an important role in the
Probiotics in Pregnancy
Probiotics are living microorganisms, essentially good bacteria and yeasts that are helpful for maintaining balance in your digestive system and immune system. Our bodies are full of bacteria, both good and bad, and probiotics are similar to the good bacteria found in the human gut. We are born with
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes (GD) is a common complication of pregnancy, occurring in about 10% of pregnant women. Whilst there are risk factors, such as having a family history of diabetes, having GD in a previous pregnancy, being overweight, being over 30 years of age, having polycystic ovarian syndrome,
Changes in Pregnancy No One Talks About
Pregnancy can be an exciting journey, and every pregnant woman will experience different changes in her body during this time. At our antenatal classes, we talk about the usual symptoms that can occur, including the ones people don't often talk about in public. Our Midwife Penny has outlined some
Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus or CMV is a common type of herpes virus that is passed between healthy children and adults.
In rare cases, it can cause complications for an unborn baby. Most recently CMV has been a hot topic in the media urging that pregnant women be well informed about pre-pregnancy screening and
The Alphabet of Pregnancy Terms
Health professionals are notorious for abbreviating diseases, terms and meanings etc. and the Midwifery and Obstetric worlds are no exception. In fact, they may be the worst of all. We are often amused when driving along and see a number plate whose letters have a specific meaning in our world, an
What is Non-invasive Prenatal Testing?
Most women enjoy a healthy pregnancy. Some babies, however, are born with problems and about one-sixth of these are due to chromosome abnormalities. There are 46 chromosomes in each cell of our bodies, arranged in 23 different pairs with one pair coding for sex (XY for boys and XX for girls). The
Umeboshi & Ginger Tea
Umeboshi plum is a pickled plum related to the apricot that is a specific Japanese remedy for nausea and digestive complaints. The alkaline properties of umeboshi plum neutralise body acids, aid in digestion and purify and cleanse the blood.
This recipe uses umeboshi plums to make a tea that is
Relaxing Footbath
A lovely way to wind down at the end of a day is to create for yourself this lovely ayurvedic footbath and include it into your evening ritual each night before bedtime. By drawing the circulation to the feet, we draw restless thoughts and stress out of the head and the aromas of herbs and bath
Evening Relaxation Yoga
With so many physical and emotional changes happening, it's no surprise that many women have insomnia and other sleep problems during pregnancy. Here are some lovely restorative yoga poses to help you relax your mind and your body before bedtime.
1.Bedtime pranayama
Restless Leg Syndrome in Pregnancy
10 things you should know about restless legs in pregnancy:
Discomfort or agitation in the legs during pregnancy. Often described as a jumpy, pulling, jittery or tingling sensation through the legs.
Around 25 % of pregnant women experience restless leg syndrome (RLS).
Can be difficult
Vitamin D in Pregnancy
Vitamin D is important for maintenance of healthy muscles and strong bones. It assists the body in controlling the absorption of calcium and phosphate where they are needed. If vitamin D levels are too low, these minerals may become deficient in the blood, causing them to be released from the bones,
Non-Alcoholic Fruit Punch
Enjoy your Christmas and holiday celebrations with a delicious glass of pregnancy friendly fruit punch. This light and refreshing punch makes a great alcohol free alternative for the festive season and is so simple to make.
Ingredients
• 2 litres of grape juice
• 1 bottle of
Chickenpox and Shingles
A simple blood test is readily available, and included in the routine antenatal screen, to check a pregnant woman’s immunity to Chickenpox. If you have had Chickenpox in the past, or have had the immunization, your result will show “immunity”. Your status will be documented on your
Warming Turmeric Tonic
This is a delicious and relaxing bedtime drink. Ideal to calm the mind and warm the body in preparation for a deep sleep.
The turmeric adds a warming touch and the honey soothes the throat and sets the perfect balance to the nutty taste of the milk.
Ingredients
250ml of cashew milk (you can use
Your First Antenatal Appointment at Sydney Mother and Baby
Congratulations on your pregnancy and we look forward to meeting you at your first appointment.
We recommend coming in for your first antenatal appointment between 7-10 weeks of pregnancy.Prior to this appointment, you may have already visited your local GP to confirm pregnancy and attend early
Anti-Inflammatory Fruit Salad
Many delicious fruits can aid in the relief of inflammatory conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
This tasty fruit salad is packed full of bromelain, carotenoids, vitamins and enzymes with anti-inflammatory properties and immune system benefits.
Ingredients
1 pineapple
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel is the small space or ‘tunnel’ in the wrist, formed by the wrist bones (carpal bones) and a ligament (transverse carpal ligament). The median nerve and nine tendons used to flex the thumb and fingers, pass through the carpal tunnel from the forearm into the hand.
Due to the increased
Immunity Root Juice
Why not try this yummy “Root Juice” to help boost your immunity in pregnancy. This juice will help increase energy, strengthen bones, help clear skin, balances metabolism and reduce inflammation and swelling.
.
Ingredients
• 3-4 celery ribs with leaves
• ½ beetroot with leaves
• 2 large
Pregnancy and Preschool Ailments
Where children gather in large numbers, outbreaks of viral illnesses often occur throughout the year. Pregnant mums are often concerned about the significance to them and their unborn offspring. However, most common outbreaks do no harm to the pregnant Mum and her fetus, but are simply annoying and
Five things you need to know about Whooping Cough.
Whooping Cough has been in the news regularly over the past months, so our Midwife Angela Smith has summarised some important facts about the disease.
It is a bacterial infection, not a virus – signs and symptoms are very “flu like” with the addition of a prolonged episode of coughing. At
Ultrasound Scans in Early Pregnancy
This is a guide to ultrasound scans and their significance for early pregnancy.
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Ultrasound scans send high frequency sound waves through the uterus to allow us to assess pregnancy and fetal wellbeing.
These sound waves bounce off the baby and the echoes are turned into
Low GI Banana Loaf
Low GI foods can help maintain a better blood sugar and insulin control, increase your energy and improve your mood.
This is a healthy alternative to a regular banana bread and a great morning tea or breakfast snack in pregnancy.
Ingredients
¼ cup all bran
½ cup skim milk
Low GI Hummus
This healthy low GI Hummus makes for a tasty snack at any time of day. Hummus and fresh vegetables are also a great pre-dinner alternative to antipasto and soft cheeses in pregnancy.
Not only is Hummus delicious, but main ingredient chickpeas are rich in fibre, manganese, iron and are an excellent
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that appear in the uterus. Commonly called Leiomyoma or Myoma fibroids are categorised in three ways:
Submucosal – fibroids that grow into the uterine cavity.
Intramural – fibroids that grow within the wall of the uterus.
Subserosal – fibroids that grow
Thai Beef Salad
Iron is one of the best ways to keep your blood healthy and also boost your immune system - both necessary during pregnancy. This beautiful Thai Beef Salad, rich in leafy greens is packed with Iron and Folate which is good for healthy cell production and will help minimise the risk of neural tube
Pelvic Discomfort in Pregnancy
Pelvic discomfort affects approximately one in five pregnant women. The areas affected are typically the front or back of the pelvis, hips, legs and groin. The pelvis is made up of 4 bones: two hip bones, the Sacrum and the Coccyx. These bones resemble a basin shape at the base of the spine and help
Pregnancy Probiotic Smoothie
As winter has finally come to an end and the weather is starting to heat up, why not whip up a tasty pregnancy probiotic smoothie.
Not only is this smoothie a delicious treat, but it is rich in Vitamins C, B6, antioxidants, omega 3
and Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
Ingredients:
¾ cup of
Anti-D in Pregnancy
Blood typing is categorised in two different ways – the ABO and the Rhesus (Rh) systems. There are four main blood group types A, B, AB and O. In the Australian population, about 85% of us have another factor called Rh D. The blood group of this 85% is called Rh Positive often recorded
The Placenta Part II: Delayed Cord Clamping and Cord Blood Banking
Delayed Cord Clamping
This is the birth practice whereby the umbilical cord is not clamped or cut until pulsation of the umbilical cord has ceased. A three-minute cord delay allows approximately ninety percent of the blood remaining in the placenta to transfuse into the baby. This blood is a rich
TENS for Pain Relief in Labour
What is a TENS?
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It is a very non-invasive, drug free method of controlling pain. It consists of a small box, the battery powered stimulator and either one or two pairs of electrodes with connecting lead. TENS are used all over the world
The Placenta – a vital organ
The placenta is an incredible organ, which protects and houses the growing and developing foetus over the pregnancy term. The health and efficiency of this organ is vital to your baby’s wellbeing.
The word “placenta” originates from the Greek word ‘plakous’ meaning flat cake, which gives an idea of
Supplements
A frequently asked question is “do I need to take supplements?” It is often suggested that many women of childbearing age are not meeting the recommended guidelines for healthy eating. Long working hours, eating on the run or dining out can be a common theme in many people’s lives.
In pregnancy,
FAQs in pregnancy
FAQ’S in pregnancy
Allied Health Practitioners: Acupuncture, Acupressure, Chinese Medicine, Massage, Chiropractor, Physiotherapist.
All the above services maybe able to provide you with additional care in your pregnancy to improve symptoms associated with the physical changes, that occur
Air Travel During Pregnancy
Important Information about Influenza Vaccinations
It's that time of year again, and flu vaccinations are now available.
As a pregnant woman, you are in the high risk category for influenza, with symptoms often worse and complications more severe. Flu vaccinations are safe at any gestation, and we
The ‘Yellow Card’
Your 'Yellow Card', officially known as your Co-operation Card or Antenatal Record Card is something we ask you keep in your handbag at all times, even in early pregnancy. However, you may have wondered why, or you may have been a little unsure about what the different abbreviations mean.
Seafood
Eating Seafood in Pregnancy
Unless you are a vegan or vegetarian, it’s ideal to have seafood feature in your diet regularly! This may include white fish, pink/oily fish and shellfish such as prawns, lobster, bugs as well as scallops and mussels. Seafood gives you a valuable source of protein, B
Iron
Iron is particularly important for the formation of haemoglobin, which is the component of our blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. It is also very important for the production of energy, and the synthesis of DNA. Inadequate iron can lead to iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency
Nutrition in Pregnancy
In modern society - with so many processed foods readily available, women working through their pregnancies, and having babies later on in life- times have changed- and so have our diets. It can be harder now than ever before to get a balanced diet: with time restraints influencing our eating
Pubic Symphysitis
What is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)?
The pelvis is comprised of four bones, strengthened by a network of strong ligaments. The ligament that connects the bones of the pelvis together is called the Symphysis Pubis (SP). During pregnancy, the SP becomes softer due to the action of the hormone
Exercise During Pregnacy
We all know how hard it can be to exercise regularly, and without doubt the many physical and physiological changes that take place within a women’s body during pregnancy can make this even more challenging (especially in the cold months!).
Some changes which affect exercise during pregnancy
During
