Antenatal Support and Education

I have joined up with the amazing midwife, Debbie Ritz, to provide antenatal classes via zoom, covering all things from late pregnancy to early parenting. 

This is a 2.5-3 hour small, informal class where we cover the following things.

Midwife Debbie will cover:

• How to manage early labour at home
• When to come into hospital
• What to bring to the hospital
• Concerning signs
• Induction of labour
• Pain relief options
• Modes of delivery including elective Caesarean sections
• Where to get your baby car seat fitted
• Any particular queries you may have

Dr Melody will cover:

• Breastfeeding and how it all works 
• Why to do during pregnancy for a positive feeding experience 
• If and when to begin expressing colostrum before baby is born 
• The first few hours after birth 
• Feeding options when things aren’t going to plan 
• Sleep and settling in the first weeks and months of life 
• Mental health in the post partum period 
• How to follow your baby’s cues and tuning into your parenting instincts 

For more information, or to book your spot, please email Debbie on debbie@ritzmidwife.com or call on 0400 984 571.

The majority of private medical insurance pay for antenatal classes. Either a portion or all of the session will be covered depending on your cover.  Please enquire from your private medical insurance prior to your session.

During your pregnancy, you will spend a lot of time thinking about and preparing for the arrival of your new baby. 

Many people spend a lot of time thinking about the labour and birth. It is also important to think about and prepare for the early days and weeks with your new baby. Some of the things to consider can include:

- Will I breastfeed my baby?

- Do I have additional support arranged for me in the early weeks?

- Who can I go to if I am struggling?

Sometimes, things happen that can interfere with our plans to breastfeed. Things that may make it more difficult to breastfeed include:

- Any history of breast surgery, including lumpectomy and breast reduction

- Depression or anxiety during pregnancy

- Relationship problems

- Any history of sexual abuse or childhood trauma

- Separation of mother and baby around the time of birth

- Early use of bottles and pacifiers

- Significant difficulties breastfeeding previous children

- Polycystic ovarian syndrome

- Gestational diabetes

If you think that you may have trouble establishing breastfeeding with your baby, or you would simply like to know more and be better prepared, it is an excellent idea to see me before the birth so that we can make a plan and give you the best chance of success.

I also highly recommend this free PDF book written by an American colleague to help you prepare for breastfeeding and maternal self care: Prenatal Education: Maternal and Self Care.

Pregnancy can sometimes make underlying depression and anxiety worse, and sometimes anxiety or depression can present for the first time.

If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or any thoughts or feelings that are bothersome to you, please make an urgent appointment with me to discuss this.

Domestic and family violence is a serious issue in Australia, with about 25% of all pregnant women experiencing abuse and violence at the hands of their partner. For approximately 1 in 4 of these women, the first time that they experience this domestic violence will be during pregnancy. 

1 in 3 mothers will experience violence at the hands of their partner by the time that their first child turns four. 

These statistics are frightening. Please do not hesitate to discuss this with me. I can help you to make a plan and find a way forward. 

There is no safe level of alcohol in pregnancy and it recommended to completely abstain from dinking alcohol whilst pregnant.

Illicit drugs can damage the baby's development and cause the baby to become dependent on the substance. It is recommended to completely abstain from using illicit substances whilst pregnant.

Many medications can be used in pregnancy  quite safely. Sometimes medications may be needed to be changed prior to pregnancy, soon after finding out that you are pregnant, or prior to delivery. If you feel this may affect you, please book in to discuss this further. I can also involve a high risk pregnancy specialist as required to make sure that the risks and benefits of medication during pregnancy can be properly considered.

Are you thinking about or planning to induce lactation to breastfeed a child that you have not given birth to? This is a field of lactation that I specialise in and would be happy to give you advice about or discuss whether it is something that you would like to do.

Reasons can include surrogacy, adoption, gender diversity and the non-birthing mother of same sex couples.

The ideal time to start the process is when the pregnancy is around 26 weeks, so ideally try to make your first consult prior to that time. However, I can see you at any stage during pregnancy.