New website for expectant Canberra parents

Posted on 5 September, 2017

Each year in the ACT, over 5,500 women give birth.

Now, a new online source of information and support for local new parents has been launched to help navigate the sometimes-overwhelming journey.

The Having a Baby in Canberra website has been developed by the Women’s Centre for Health Matters and features information on all stages—from planning the pregnancy through to the first six weeks at home with a baby.

Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said she was pleased to launch the website that will provide new parents accessible information and advice.

“As a mother myself, I know that pregnancy, birth and the post-natal experience can be challenging, especially for first-time parents,” Minister Fitzharris said.

“The more support and the more accessible information about having a baby is for parents-to-be, will ensure a more fulfilling and hopefully less stressful introduction to parenting.”

Chief Executive Officer with Women’s Centre for Health Matters, Marcia Williams, said their research had shown that the availability of so much information on the internet about pregnancy can be confusing—especially knowing what information can be trusted.

“Women told us that while there were a lot of services in the ACT, that they found it hard to navigate many diverse sources of information to compile the ‘whole picture’,” said Marcia.

“Women described a ‘flood of information’ available but no practical information in one central location that related specifically to the local Canberra situation about pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.”

In response, the website provides information to help local women access relevant services and support—birthing options, models of care, hospitals and services which are available in the ACT and Queanbeyan, and breastfeeding and post-natal supports.

“The overall aim [was] to ensure that women knew about their options and were able to make informed choices about the care they wanted, and where they could access it,” said Marcia.

Minister Fitzharris said the website has been developed with the input of many local organisations and contains a wealth of information on local services and helpful resources.

“This includes information and resources for same sex couples, prenatal yoga, domestic and family violence support and breastfeeding. Advice on helpful parenting apps for smartphones is also available.”

Visit the website at www.havingababyincanberra.org.au