your family - pregnancy and birth
Becoming a parent can be an exciting and difficult time for anyone. There are lots of decisions to make – where to get care during pregnancy, options for having your baby, staying healthy and getting the right support when you need it.
There are a number of ways that you can get information about all aspects of pregnancy, birth and early parenting. Health professionals like your GP, a midwife or obstetrician will probably be your first point of contact at this time. It’s good to have information so you know what to expect along the way.
before your baby arrives
When you first present for pregnancy care at a public hospital you will receive a free book called ‘Having a Baby’. It is a comprehensive reference book for women who are pregnant or planning to have a baby (and their families).
your baby's Blue Book
When you have a baby, you will be given a Blue Book. This will be your baby’s personal health record for their entire life. The Blue Book contains information about development, health checks and services from birth to school age.
immunising your baby
Immunisations are an important part of child health and wellbeing. In every Blue Book, you’ll find a schedule for your child’s immunisations from birth to adolescence.
A selected number of clinics and local councils offer regular free childhood immunisation clinics... Read more
family health home visiting
Being a new parent can be tough, especially finding out what support is available in the first weeks of your child’s life.
Under Families NSW, new parents are offered a visit from a child and family health nurse within the first two weeks after the baby is born.
support from the Safe Start program
Safe Start is a program that assists in identifying and supporting women with a range of social and emotional issues in pregnancy and after the birth of an infant.
The NSW Government will be expanding Safe Start to allow all mothers in NSW to be assessed for a range of social and emotional issues including a screen for depression...