Fertility to First Years Guide

Everyone’s journey to parenthood is different. For some it’s easy, for others it’s difficult; for some it’s exciting, and for others it’s overwhelming (or a bit of both). Conception, pregnancy, labour and postnatal care can be difficult to navigate, so we’ve put together a guide to help you with everything from Fertility to the First Years.

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! One of the first things to consider is your healthcare and birthing options, and whether you’d like to take the public or private route.

If you go via the public system, your first step is to visit your GP, who will guide you through your pregnancy, including referring you for scans and tests. The private system will allow you to choose your own obstetrician who will look after you throughout your pregnancy and during your labour.

Your body will go through a lot of changes over the next nine months, and you’ll need to adjust your lifestyle to accommodate and support your growing little one. It’s highly recommended you look into taking up a form of pregnancy-safe exercise, eat a healthy diet and get any health problems checked out.

Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that the home is baby ready. Preparing the nursery and buying all the necessary supplies to take care of your baby are all part of your to-do list.

Lastly, don’t get too overwhelmed – it’s all very exciting, and you’ll get there. Here are some local businesses that can help you along your pregnancy journey.

Dr Phoebe Hong

Dr Hong can offer you an empowered pregnancy journey. Her complete obstetric services and her vast experience in pregnancy care and management, including high risk and complicated pregnancies and deliveries, means you can have every confidence in your pregnancy care. She is also an expert at keyhole and laparoscopic procedures, so you can rest assured you’ll be in experienced hands. Dr Hong can speak Cantonese, Mandarin and basic Japanese.

A Level 2, Cairns Central Plaza P 4230 0030 www.drphoebehong.com.au

Balance Edmonton Family Practice

Trying to get pregnant? The team at Balance Edmonton Family Practice can assist with and test for fertility problems. If you suspect you may already be pregnant, they will be able to confirm this, as well as give you an estimated due date for baby. During pregnancy, Balance Edmonton Family Practice can help you with all your antenatal care, and also offer GP shared care with your chosen birthing hospital.

A 5 Walker Rd, Edmonton P 4055 4400 www.balancehealthclinic.com.au

Cairns Doctors

Cairns Doctors can assist with a range of women’s health services before, during and after birth. They offer antenatal care which includes regular monitoring and treatment to detect and prevent pregnancy complications. They also offer lactation and breastfeeding advice, and can treat prolapse and incontinence. Once baby has arrived, you can take them to see Dr Arno Ebner at Cairns Doctors for all their paediatric needs.

A 2/532 Mulgrave Rd, Earlville P 4242 5300 www.cairns-doctors.com.au

Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise, Women’s Health Clinic is the newly formed team of local obstetrician gynaecologists consisting of Dr Elizabeth Jackson and Dr Anusha Lazzari. Dr Liz and Dr Anusha provide a full service for all your women’s health needs. Welcoming all pregnancies, they are delighted to care for you through your pregnancy and delivery and are skilled in the management of routine and complicated deliveries.

In addition to pregnancy, Dr Liz and Dr Anusha are also specialist gynaecologists managing heavy and painful periods, menopause, ovarian cysts, abnormal cervical screening tests and more. Outreach clinics now visit Atherton, Mareeba, Innisfail and Tully. For more information and to find clinic locations, see website.

P 4041 5081 www.birdsofparadise.clinic Fertility to First Years

Wuchopperen

Dedicated to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Wuchopperen provides holistic care for women and children through multiple services. These include maternal and child health, antenatal and postnatal care, immunisations for adults and children, social and emotional wellbeing, specialist clinics and paediatric clinics. They also offer a Healthy Happy Families program which focuses on respectful relationships and keeping children safe and secure, as well as a First Time Mums program which offers support to mothers until their baby has turned two years old.

A 6 Moignard St, Manoora P 4080 1000 www.wuchopperen.org.au

1300Smiles

Just like the rest of your body, your mouth will undergo changes throughout pregnancy. These can include bleeding gums, damage to the enamel of your teeth, a dry mouth or sugar cravings which can contribute to tooth decay. Research has also shown that active gum disease before or during pregnancy may lead to premature or underweight births. A visit to your local 1300Smiles before, during and after pregnancy will help protect your teeth, gums and overall oral health.

A Smithfield Shopping Centre, 63 Kennedy Hwy, Smithfield

A Cairns Central, 1-21 McLeod St, Cairns P 1300 764 537 www.1300smiles.com.au

Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy

Staff at Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy are more than happy to help you stay healthy and happy during your pregnancy. They can provide recommendations for vitamins, pain relief, how to improve your fertility and more. Once your baby has arrived, they can also provide help on breastfeeding, baby products and supplies for common illnesses mum or bub may encounter.

A Woree, North Cairns, Cairns City, Edmonton, Atherton, Innisfail www.calannapharmacy.com.au

Little Aussie Monster

Did you know that one baby will have over 5,800 nappy changes in just over two years? Little Aussie Monster stocks an adorable range of cloth nappies for all these changes, saving you over $2,300 (compared to using disposable nappies). The business is family owned and operated, stocking a wide range of modern cloth nappies in over 140 designs. Not only are they super cute, easy to use and money-saving, they are very environmentally friendly. Little Aussie Monster also stocks swimming nappies, nursing pads, cloth wipes, sanitary pads, pull ups, incontinence products and more.

A Shop 1-494/496 P 4221 2588 www.littleaussiemonster.com.au

Collier Lawyers

Once your baby has made their spectacular entrance into the world, it’s time to update your will to include them in it. Although it’s probably not something you want to think about, it’ll help make sure your children will be provided for and cared for how you wish. Writing a will can be confusing and off-putting, which is why you should always consult an expert. The team at Collier Lawyers can help you put a will together that completely suit your needs, wants and wishes perfectly. You can get a single will for just $150, or two for $250.

A 1/132 Collins Ave, Edge Hill P 4214 5666 www.collierlawyers.com.au Pyramid Family Dental

To ensure your baby’s oral health, you’re going to want to make sure they’ve seen a dentist visit by the time their first tooth erupts, or by 12 months of age – whichever comes first. So, get your child familiarised with a dental setting by booking them in for their first check-up at Pyramid Family Dental – they can make it a fun experience! You can also assist your baby’s oral health by getting the whole family to brush their teeth twice a day with their own toothbrushes, as well as booking them in for their regular six-month check-ups at Pyramid Family Dental. They can also look after you during your pregnancy to ensure your teeth are in tip-top condition.

A 46 Norman St, Gordonvale P 4237 1810 www.cairnsdentalboutique.com.au

Top Things to do in the First Years

Cairns Regional Council Baby Welcoming Ceremony

Celebrate the birth of your child at the annual Baby Welcoming Ceremony. For parents of new arrivals, this ceremony provides a special family keepsake in the form of a beautiful commemorative certificate. It is also a lovely day out for the entire family. Siblings, grandparents and other family members are encouraged to attend. A tree will be planted in your baby’s honour at a later date. Check out the Cairns Regional Council website to see when the next Baby Welcoming Ceremony is happening.

A 119-145 Spence St, Cairns P 1300 69 22 47 www.cairns.qld.gov.au

Mount Sheridan Plaza (Small Steps Program)

Small Steps is a family group that provides a social environment for babies, toddlers, kids and adults.

A 106 Barnard Dr, Mount Sheridan P 4036 3150 www.mtsheridanplaza.com.au

Kindermusik with Nicole Tobin

Offering music and movement classes for children aged zero to seven years.

A 9 Donnelly Cl, Brinsmead P 0418 772 258 www.kmusikcairns.com

South Cairns Gymnastics

It’s time to get moving – South Cairns Gymnastics offers a range of gymnastics classes for little ones aged one and up.

A 93-99 Robert Rd, Bentley Park P 4045 2947 www.gymsportsfnq.com.au Inflatable Kingdom

Bounce, climb and slide on 10 exciting inflatables in airconditioned comfort. There is a dedicated Tiny Tots Area for under five’s.

A 164 Mayers St, Manunda P 4032 2844 www.inflatablekingdom.com.au

Jump Mania

Toddler Time is a special session for children under five. The littlies can jump like mad without all the big kids around.

A Raintrees Shopping Centre, 118A Corner Koch, Alfred Street, Manunda P 4212 4066 www.jumpmania.com.au

Little Pearls Swim School

Offering a swimming program developed around child development principles and gentle techniques – it’s about more than just swimming.

A 1 Cumberland Ave, Smithfield P 4038 1241

Little Pearls Swim School

Turning Pointe Dance Studios

Offering specialised classes for children aged two to five years including Mummy and Me, Toddler Dance, Kinder Dance and Prep Dance.

A 240 Hartley St, Bungalow P 4031 3390 www.turningpointe.com.au

FNQ Dance Academy

Offering a specialty under five’s program in dance for both fun and competitive purposes.

A 168 Draper St, Cairns City P 4051 4888 www.fnqdanceacademy.com.au