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. 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 Thuringowa Village Shopping Centre, 320 Thuringowa Drive, Kirwan A 50 North Shore Boulevard, Burdell A 361 Flinders Street, Townsville City P 1300 764 537 www.1300smiles.com.au

Townsville Paediatrics

Townsville Paediatrics is a medical practice providing specialist care to newborns, infants, children and adolescents. Dr Siva, Dr Wamola and Dr Heyer have global experience working as paediatricians and they are committed to providing holistic care to patients and families in Townsville and surrounds. If your GP would like you to see a paediatrician, ask them to refer to you Townsville Paediatrics where you’ll be in good hands.

A 4/18 Oxford Street, Hyde Park, 4812 P 4427 5817 www.townsvillepaediatrics.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 Aikenvale, Currajong, Kirwan and Deeragun www.calannapharmacy.com.au

Nurture Family Health Centre

Nurture Family Health Centre offers a range of unique services to provide you and your child with support before, during and after your pregnancy. The areas they can assist in are fertility, physiotherapy, chiropractic, midwifery, lactation care, occupational therapy, dietetics, speech pathology, psychology and Pilates. You can view their website for a detailed list of their services.

A 107 Charters Towers Road, Hyde Park, 4812 P 4772 2555 www.nurturehealthcentre.com

Helping Hands – Hand, Wrist and Arm Clinic

New mothers are susceptible to a painful hand condition called De Quervain’s Tendonopathy due to the hand and wrist postures used to pick up and nurse their new baby. This condition causes the thumb to move sideways away from the palm and can result in sharp wrist pain on the thumb side, which may radiate up or down. Helping Hands are able to customise a washable orthosis to ensure a correct fit and provide the most practical solution, with instant pain relief.

A 38 Fulham Road, Pimlico, 4812 P 4755 2337 www.helpinghandsclinic.com.au

Coastal Kids Speech Pathology

Coastal Kids Speech Pathology supports children from birth to 18 years and their families to maximise their communication skills. Coastal Kids tailors each speech therapy session to the individual needs of the child. They aid with language delay, speech delay, stuttering, phonological awareness and literacy and Autism. Coastal Kids Speech Pathology is also an approved provider with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and have multiple rebates available for those eligible.

A Suite 1 / 5-7 Matinez Avenue West End P 0427 922 378 www.coastalkidsspeech.com.au

Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Centre

Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Centre work with women who have had delivery trauma (which can really make the prospect of having another baby quite terrifying). Other areas where their services have helped mothers are the trauma of the loss of a child in utero or still born. They also work with children that may be having problems such as a fear of the dark. Ultimately, they specialise in releasing trauma easily.

A 4/56 Charles St, Aitkenvale QLD 4814 P 4725 3080 www.hefc.com.au

Top Things to do in the First Years

CityLibraries

Baby Rhyme Time stimulates your little one’s brain development, speech and senses with nursery rhymes and fingerplays. Sessions are scheduled weekly during term time at Thuringowa Central and Aitkenvale branches. Perfect for children up to two years of age.

A Aitkenvale, Flinders Street, Thuringowa Central and Mobile Library Services www.townsville.qld.gov.au

Bub & Baby High Tea by The Ville

Babyology’s luxurious high tea event, Sunday 19 April, in The Pavilion, offers a unique afternoon out with your friends and family the perfect way to celebrate your new baby or impending arrival.

A The Ville P +61 747 222 333 www.the-ville.com.au Townsville City Council Welcoming Babies Ceremony

Celebrate the birth of your child at the annual Welcoming Babies Ceremony - a special event for our city’s youngest residents and their families. Participating families will receive a welcoming certificate on the day, a gift bag and will be photographed alongside the Mayor of Townsville.

Families will be sent a complimentary photo to mark the occasion in the weeks following the event.

Check the Townsville City Council website for more information.

A 103 Walker Street, Townsville 4810 P 13 48 10 www.townsville.qld.gov.au