Pregnancy and birth

Maternal and child health services

Your local maternal and child health service will be a great source of support after your baby is born.

Newborn screening

Every newborn baby in Australia is offered a newborn screening test to identify those at risk for rare, but serious medical conditions.

Parenting centres support families

Early Parenting Centres help families whose children have sleep, feeding or other difficulties.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

PKU is an inherited disorder that prevents the normal breakdown of a protein found in some foods.

Postnatal depression

Postnatal depression can happen either a few days or weeks after the birth, with a slow or sudden onset.

Postnatal exercise

Always consult with your doctor or midwife before starting any postnatal exercise program.

Postnatal exercise - sample workout

Make sure your abdominal muscles have healed before you do any vigorous tummy exercises, such as crunches.

Premature babies

Sometimes premature labour can be delayed to increase a baby’s chance of survival.

Relationships - when partners become parents

The birth of your first child can significantly change your relationship with your partner and may impact on other relationships.

Stretch marks

Over time, stretch marks lose their bright colouring and become silvery, shimmering lines.

Vitamin K and newborn babies

With low levels of vitamin K, some babies can have severe bleeding into the brain, causing significant brain damage.

See also Parenting - Babies (0-3)