The Australian College of Midwives is proud to support women in a range of ways. On these dedicated pages on our website, we have put together relevant resources for you during your journey through pregnancy, birth, and after the baby is born.
There is growing recognition that the outcomes for women and their families are much better when they receive maternity care from a known midwife of their choice and midwives are uniquely placed to provide this primary health care.
What is a midwife? Watch this video to learn more
(A video by the International Confederation of Midwives)
Women are more likely to labour spontaneously, have a normal vaginal birth, with reduced perineal trauma and reduced requirement for pharmacological pain relief, they are also more likely to breastfeed successfully and less likely to develop significant postnatal depression.
Find out more about...
Select a topic from the list below to access information and services that may be of interest to you:
- the benefits of having a midwife during your pregnancy and midwifery services in your area;
- pregnancy, birth and parenting - general information and support for women and their families;
- domestic violence support and information;
- managing your health during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby - including information about breastfeeding;
- grief and loss support, information and services;
- consumer organisations in Australia.
... why you need a midwife during your pregnancy
Women and Midwives - In this together
The South Australian Branch of the Australian College of Midwives has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the role of a midwife (or a group of midwives) in the woman's journey through pregnancy, birth and beyond. A range of resources and information about midwifery in Australia, the positive role of a midwife and services available in your region are accessible here.
... pregnancy, birth and parenting
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is a national Australian Government service providing support and information for expecting parents and parents of children, from birth to 5 years of age.
SMS4Dads
Join up this fantastic reasearch project: SMS4dads provides new fathers with information and connections to online services through their mobile phones. The text messages with tips, information and links to other services help fathers understand and connect with their baby and support their partner. The expected date of delivery or date of birth, which is entered at enrolment, ensure that the texts are linked to the developmental stage of the baby (from week 20 of the pregnancy until 24 weeks post birth). The website also has links to a number of great information and resources for dads.
The Couples Therapist Couch
Information and conversations (accessible podcast) about family and couple relationships.
... support services available to you and your family
COPE
The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) is dedicated to improving the emotional wellbeing of parents before and during pregnancy, and the year following the birth of a baby. High quality, practical information – to help YOU work through all the emotional challenges of becoming and being a parent. Watch a video here to learn more about how COPE can help you.
READY TO COPE - GUIDE FOR WOMEN: Sign up here to receive free fortnightly information about emotional and mental health throughout your pregnancy, birth and the first year of motherhood. More information about this enewsletter and
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DVRCV
The Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV) is a state-wide resource centre working to prevent and respond to family violence, with a particular focus on men’s violence against women in intimate relationships. They provide training, publications, research and other resources to those experiencing (or who have experienced) family violence, and practitioners and service organisations who work with family violence survivors.
1800RESPECT
National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service. Confidential information, counselling and support service open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domectic or family violence and abuse.
Mumspace
MumSpace is Australia’s new one-stop website supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of pregnant women, new mums and their families. It is designed to connect you quickly to the level of support you need, from advice and support in the transition to parenthood, to effective online treatment programs for perinatal depression and anxiety. The resources on MumSpace will help you ‘step-up’ to whichever level of support suits you best. MumSpace is also a resource for your healthcare professional.
... managing your health during your pregnancy and after the birth
Your Baby's Movements Matter
A new resource for women that provides information about baby movements during pregnancy and raises awareness about the risks of stillbirth and what to do in case of concern.
Australian Breastfeeding Association
An online shop and leading resource for breastfeeding information, breast pumps, breast pump hire, books and Breastfeeding Education classes.
'Quit for you - Quit for Two' App
The ‘Quit for you – Quit for Two’ app provides support and encouragement to help you give up smoking. It will take your mind off the cravings with fun exercises and games to keep your hands busy. It distracts you when you feel the urge to light up, with practical quit tips and advice. It inspires you to keep going with amazing facts about your baby’s development. And, it gives you ideas for what you could buy with the money you’re saving every day you don’t spend money on cigarettes. Download the ‘Quit for you – Quit for Two’ app for iphone from Apple iTunes online store or android phone from Google Play store.
Feed Safe App.
'Can I have an occasional drink while I'm breastfeeding? Should I 'pump and dump'? How does alcohol affect breastmilk? How long should I wait after having a drink, before breastfeeding?'
Feed Safe is a collaboration between the Australian Breastfeeding Association, Reach Health Promotion Innovations and Curtin University. It is based on the latest research, and the official guidelines of Australia's peak health and medical research body, the National Health and Medical Research Council. Feed Safe is available for free, for iOS and Android devices.
Pregnant Pause
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse consequences including miscarriage, still or premature birth, low birth weights and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Pregnant Pause is an initiative developed by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), an independent not-for-profit working to stop the harm caused by alcohol. The campaign encourages Australians to go alcohol free during their pregnancy, or the pregnancy of their partner, family member, friend or loved one.
Heart Foundation - Making the Invisible Visible
A website dedicated to raising awareness about heart diseases and complications, with lots of resources and information on how to improve you health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Their June 2018 'Making the Invisible Visible' campaign aimed to raise awareness about heart diseases in women in particular, and includes information and advice about heart-related conditions during pregnancy.
The Pelvic Floor App
The Continence Foundation of Australia has developed a free, safe-exercise app to both help prevent incontinence and enable people experiencing problems to continue to exercise without further straining their pelvic floor or suffer embarrassing accidents.
Dental Health for pregnant women
Dental health advice for pregnant women, provided by Dental Health Services Victoria.
... grief and loss support, information and services
Still Aware
Still Aware focuses on bringing about much needed awareness to the tragic event of a stillborn baby. Parents, families, friends, loved ones and all effected by such a devastating loss need support.
SANDS
Misscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support. Helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (including Christmas Day) by dialling 1300 072 637.
Red Nose
Information, resources and grief and loss support for families who experience the sudden or unexpected death of a baby or young child. Talk in person, 24 hours a day, call 1300 308 307.
... consumer organisations in Australia
Maternity Choices Australia
National consumer advocacy organisation committed to the advancement of best-practice maternity care for all Australian women and their families. Maternity Choices Australia brings together groups and individuals for effective lobbying, information sharing, networking and support, and works to improve our maternity system so that it better meets the needs and choices of Australian women through consumer representation, consumer advocacy, education and support.
Maternity Consumer Network
National membership organisation of maternity consumers, representatives, community organisations and statutory bodies, who are interested in improving maternity care in Australia. Works to support and grow a vibrant network of maternity consumers, to maintain the advocacy for effective implementation of the Maternity Services Action Plan and every family having a known midwife for pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.
