Festive fun
The festive period can be a busy time and some women find it tiring, especially when growing a baby or caring for a newborn. Don’t forget to take it easy and make some time to put your feet up. You may not be able to do all the activities that you did last year and it may be a great opportunity to outsource the Christmas banquet to another family home.
COVID-19
Bringing a new baby into the world during a pandemic might not be what you imagined but it is important to be mindful of COVID-19 and the different rules both in the community and when coming to hospital. Visit the Department of Health website relevant to your state for updates.
Food
As always, avoid any foods that are not recommended during pregnancy due to the potential risk of listeria. You should also remember the safe handling of food as we move into the hot summer months.Fetal movement
It is still important to continue to monitor your baby’s movements during the Christmas and New Year break. Our hospitals are open 24/7 and we encourage you to call and speak to a midwife if you are concerned at any time of the day or night.
You can visit Movements Matter for more information about fetal movements.
New parents
If you have welcomed a new baby into the world and are finding a few aspects of parenting challenging feel free to call your obstetrician or hospital for advice or a referral.
St John of God Healthcare at Home’s lactation consultants and midwives will be available for home consults every day except Christmas Day. You can self-refer to this service by calling 1300 475 442 and it is funded by your health insurer if used within the first two weeks post-birth.
Some helpful services include:
- infant sleep and settling: Ngala (WA only)
- breastfeeding: hospital outpatient clinic, St John of God Healthcare at Home or the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Feel free to call
If you have any pregnancy questions throughout the Christmas break please contact your obstetrician, the maternity team at your hospital or your General Practitioner.Remember, help is always available!
