WIN News interviewed Better Births Illawarra yesterday as we relaunched our efforts to expand Wollongong's midwifery-led care. Interest in the issue will go national, as new documentary BirthTime highlights the need for change in our approach to maternity services.Tickets still available for the Thirroul screening on March 31st.
Birth Time: The Documentary
Three women embark on a mission to find out why an increasing number of women are emerging from their births physically and emotionally traumatised. Their discoveries expose the truth and lead them to join the birth revolution and forge a movement that hopes to change the face of maternity care in Australia and across the developed world.
Birth Time is finally here. A screening at Shellharbour is fast selling out.
The sold-out premier in Sydney on Thursday the 11th of February received a standing ovation from the 600 audience memberswho have been waiting 4.5 years for this baby to be born. And as we know, a baby comes when it is ready and this amazing documentary did not disappoint. It has made waves across the world, winning multiple awards.
@nextcapturephotography
Domestically, screenings are selling out across the country. Whilst we would expect publications like parenting magazines to feature a story about a birth film, the way Birth Time has been produced, the beautifully crafted storytelling, the undeniable truths it uncovers and the simple solution it shares is why it was a feature in the - wait for it - Weekend Financial Review.
After all, Birth is everyone's business.
For years, Better Births Illawarra has been lobbying the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to increase access to the best maternity care. To ensure all women can get access to a known midwife to support each family throughout pregnancy, birth and post-partum. This is known as midwivery-led continuity of care. Birth Time takes a look at the benefits and transformational experience for mothers, parents and families when this happens. And the trauma when the best care is not provided.
Local women's holistic Aboriginal health and wellbeing organisation Waminda features in this documentary. A reminder of the importance of Birthing on Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Tickets are selling fast for the Shellharbour screening on Wednesday 10th of March at 6.30pm which we are excited to be attending!
This is a film that needs to be seen by all people, not just mothers and midwives. How we are born and how we birth influences how we live in the world. Watch Birth Time and invite your people.
See you there!
PANDA Week 8-14th November
BBI supports PANDA Week 8th-14th November 2020 with the theme ‘Tell someone who cares.’
The PANDA website has loads of information, checklists and support raising awareness for perinatal mental health.
This year, more than ever it’s vital that expecting and new parents who are struggling know they’re not alone and can reach out for help. And just as importantly, they can know that when they do reach out, they will be supported by those they confide in, whether family members, health professionals, PANDA or other perinatal mental health specialists.
What is perinatal mental illness?
Perinatal mental illnesses like anxiety and depression are common and can be serious. One in five expecting or new mothers and one in ten expecting or new fathers will experience anxiety and/or depression, affecting around 100,000 families across Australia every year.
Left untreated, perinatal mental illness can have long-lasting impacts on parents, partners, baby and the rest of the family. The key to getting help is being able to recognise that something is wrong and being brave enough to ask for help – to ‘tell someone who cares’. That might be talking to your partner, child and family health nurse, doctor or PANDA’s National Helpline.
What does perinatal mean?
The term ‘perinatal’ refers to the period from the conception of a child through to the first year after birth.
‘Antenatal’ refers to the pregnancy period. ‘Postnatal’ refers to the first year after birth.
More than general ups and downs
Being pregnant or becoming a new parent can be both exciting and challenging. Having trouble adjusting to the changes that come with impending parenthood or the arrival of a new baby is natural.
Feeling a little ‘teary’, anxious or irritable for a few days in the weeks after the birth – often referred to as the ‘baby blues’ – is common. However, if you are an expecting or new parent and a low mood, feelings of anxiousness or other troubling thoughts or feelings start to cause you concerns or stop you from functioning normally, it might be time to ‘tell someone who cares’.
What’s the difference between anxiety and depression?
In general terms anxiety refers to an aroused mood – panic, agitation, frustration or anger.
Depression is often associated with low mood, sadness, hopelessness or withdrawal.
Many expecting and new parents experience both anxiety and depression at the same time.
Talking about it
Many parents experiencing perinatal mental health challenges feel overwhelmed, confused, isolated and ashamed about how they’re feeling. If this is you, try to remember that these thoughts are common, you are not alone and that help is available.
It can be hard to recognise that something is wrong and it takes courage to seek help. Community expectations and stigma can make it difficult to acknowledge that you are struggling and seek the support you need.
But it’s important to get help early so you can get support to take the first steps to recovery. That’s the best outcome for you as well as your baby and partner.
Admitting you need help and seeking treatment or advice is not a sign of weakness. It shows that you want the best for yourself and your family.
Recognising perinatal mental illness
Perinatal mental illnesses like anxiety and depression can be difficult to recognise for a whole range of reasons. Symptoms are often dismissed as normal parts of pregnancy or early parenthood. Shame and stigma can lead to a ‘mask of coping’. Symptoms can look different for each person.
Signs may include:
Feeling sad, low, or crying for no obvious reason
Persistent, generalised worry, often focused on fears for the health or wellbeing of your baby
Being nervous, ‘on edge’, or panicky
Being easily annoyed or irritated
Withdrawing from friends and family
Difficulties sleeping, even when your baby is sleeping
Abrupt mood swings
Feeling constantly tired and lacking energy
Physical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, cold sweats, lack of appetite
Having little or no interest in the things that normally bring you joy
Fear of being alone or with others
Finding it difficult to focus, concentrate or remember
Increased alcohol or drug use
Panic attacks (racing heart, palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking or feeling physically ‘detached’ from your surroundings)
Developing obsessive or compulsive behaviours
Thoughts of death, suicide or harming your baby.
There are also many other symptoms not listed here. If you or someone close to you experiences any symptoms or feelings that worry you and impact your ability to cope, please seek support.
Postnatal psychosis
Postnatal psychosis is a rare but serious illness that affects one to two new mums in every 1000 and can put both mother and baby at risk. It almost always requires hospital admission. The symptoms often arrive suddenly and can include extreme mood swings, significant behaviour changes and loss of touch with reality.
If you suspect a new mum you know may have postnatal psychosis, you can:
take her to a doctor
take her to the nearest hospital emergency department
call PANDA’s National Helpline – 1300 726 306
Where to seek help for perinatal mental illness
We know that everyone experiences postnatal anxiety and depression differently. The best way for people who are struggling to start feeling better will depend on their own experience – what their symptoms are and how strongly they feel them.
What we do know is that the sooner people seek support, the sooner they can start feeling better.
It’s important for expecting and new parents who are worried about their emotional and mental wellbeing to seek support. They can speak with a trusted health professional such as a doctor or family health nurse, or call PANDA’s free National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline.
PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline 1300 726 306 9am – 7.30pm Mon – Friday (AEST/AEDT). The Helpline is also open from now until the end of February 2021 on Saturdays 9am – 7.30pm.
There is also important and up-to-date information about perinatal anxiety and depression and postnatal psychosis on PANDA’s websites:
PANDA’s Mental Health Checklist for Expecting and New Parents
It can be hard to know what emotions and experiences are normal and which ones should give you cause for concern. PANDA’s Mental Health Checklist for Expecting and New Parents is a free, anonymous online tool on PANDA’s website that asks questions about your thoughts and feelings and will give an indication of whether your experiences could be a reason to seek help.
PANDA’s Checklist is accessible and user friendly and its content was created with direct input from people who experienced mental health difficulties as expecting or new parents, as well as experts in perinatal mental illness from PANDA’s counselling and research teams.
The Checklist asks questions about changes you may have noticed since starting the journey to becoming a parent – in your body and behaviour; in your thoughts and feelings; and in your relationships.
Upon completing the Checklist you will receive a Results summary that can be taken to appointments with care providers to help you talk to them about how you’ve been feeling. You can also opt to send your results directly to PANDA and request a call back.
Wollongong Hospital set to unveil upgraded birth unit
In praise of midwives: On International Day of the Midwife 2020
Birth Unit refurb is on track
Note: Image featured is an Artists impression from Fiona Stanley Hospital in Western Australia NOT Wollongong Hospital.
It is rare for construction projects to finish on time. Rarer still during a pandemic. The birth unit refurbishment at Wollongong Hospital is still expected to be completed in mid to late June.
Each Monday since December 2019, a BBI representative has attended the Wollongong Hospital Birth Unit Refurbisment Project meetings since BBI successfully advocated for the hospital to allocated $2.2 million of state Health funding to the refurbishment.
Please see this News Feature by WIN Illawarra on how the project is tracking.
We acknowledge the commitment by the hospital executive team to prioritise and push ahead with the construction despite the hospital having to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. BBI along with other community groups have provided valuable input into the design of the upgraded birth suite ensuring the needs of women and babies have been represented. If you h
ABC News: COVID-19 hospital fears lead to spike in homebirth interest from pregnant women
Monday 12th April, 2020.
ABC News feature: COVID-19 hospital fears lead to spike in homebirth interest from pregnant women
Key points:
A midwifery practice is reporting a huge increase in women considering homebirth because they don't want to go to hospital during the COVID-19 crisis
For many expecting mothers, however, the cost of giving birth at home borders on unbearable, leading to calls for a Medicare rebate
Medical experts have stressed that hospital is the safest place to give birth
