You can make a difference by applying to join the Consumer Participation and Advisory Committee (CPAC) for the Royal Hospital for Women (RHW) by: 

• Providing a community voice for women’s health needs
• Playing an important role in hospital planning and delivery of care
• Having the opportunity to discuss women’s health issues with senior management
• Being involved in hospital projects and new initiatives in women’s health
• Engaging with hospital staff to advocate for the community regarding hospital services
• Assisting with the development of consumer and patient information
• Working with hospital staff to improve the quality and delivery of health services for all women

A RHW Consumer Participation and Advisory Committee (CPAC) member’s contribution and role may include: 

• Raising community awareness about RHW hospital services
• Acting as a link between the local community and the hospital
• Talking to people in their community and social networks and providing feedback on issues
• Participating in a hospital committee and/or working groups
• Building cooperation between the community and the hospital

The services offered at RHW are tailored to the unique health care needs of women and their families. RHW invites all people including those with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds who:

• Are interested in health issues for women and know the local community
• Have been a consumer of RHW health services in the past
• Want to support the hospital
• Are prepared to use their good communication skills with people of all levels
• Will participate by attending regular CPAC meetings which are held monthly for 1 hour or become a member of another hospital committee or working group

All CPAC members get assigned a buddy to help navigate the meetings and provide orientation

If you would like to be seen by the NVP and HG service, please see your GP for a referral. The NVP and HG service will also accept referrals from private obstetricians and ED departments. Please call prior to attending to book in an appointment time. If you are unsure about how to access the service or have a question about the referral process, please call and discuss your query with a midwife.

The NVP and HG service is run by a team of midwives that will oversee your care. You will also be seen by an Obstetrician regularly and if required will be reviewed by an Obstetric physician. This may be in the clinic or in the Outpatients department.  

The NVP and HG service is situated in the Pregnancy Day Stay unit at the Royal Hospital for Women. This is an outpatient clinic that treats women for a number of pregnancy related conditions. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to have your care provided at home with the Hospital in the Home team. Please speak to your midwife or doctor if you would be interested in this option.

You may be offered medication for nausea, vomiting, reflux and constipation. Some of these medications maybe given orally or by a cannula. You may also be offered the administration of intravenous (IV) fluids to help resolve your symptoms. Midwifes and doctors will review your medications regularly to ensure they are working well for you.

• Often woman experiencing NVP or HG can feel low in mood and struggle with their mental health.  As part of your care the NVP and HG service will support your emotional needs by providing support from our midwives, social workers, and perinatal mental health teams. 

• Women accessing the NVP and HG service may also be offered ComPacks. These a non-clinical community support packages to help you at home and include activities such as transport to and from appointments, delivery of food shops, meal prep and domestic help (e.g. cleaning). For more information, ask your midwife or see the ComPacks flyer here. 

• MotherSafe

  MotherSafe is a free telephone service for the women of NSW, based at the Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick. MotherSafe provide information to families and Health Care Providers about safe and effective treatments for Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Call 02 9382 6539 (Sydney Metropolitan Area) or 1800 647 848 (Non-Metropolitan Area).

• Continuity of care with your named midwife before and after baby is born.
• Mobile phone contact for NON-URGENT e.g. appointment changes, informing you have had a blood test/ultrasound.
• Location may be more convenient e.g. hospital antenatal clinic.

It is recommended that several months before you are planning to become pregnant you see your GP to discuss optimising your health and other issues such as rubella immunity, folic acid intake. At this time it is good to research different options for your maternity care.

If you are already pregnant see your GP as soon as possible.

You will have your pregnancy care with your known midwife (and doctors if needed) at the hospital.

You would give birth to your baby in the hospital birth unit. A birth unit midwife will look after you during your labour and birth. If for any reason during your labour you need a doctor they are always available.

You usually spend 2-4 hours in the birth unit before being transferred up to the postnatal ward.  Some women who have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth may go home 4 hours after the birth with MAPS midwifery support.

When you go home, the MAPS midwife will visit you in your home until baby is about 10-14 days old.

If you require emergency medical help and you are less than 20 weeks pregnant please attend or contact the Prince of Wales Emergency department.  If it is a non-urgent problem contact your GP (some GPs provide an afterhours service) who will assess your condition and may refer you to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) at the hospital the following day.

For any labour related issues and URGENT concerns over 20 weeks contact the birthing unit triage on 0439 869 035 24 hours a day.

You can call your midwife between 8:00am and 4:30pm (some may only work certain days, so if you urgently need an answer please call triage underlined above). Otherwise the midwives will assist you as soon as they can with:

• Answering any concerns/questions you may have about the program.
• Explaining various services at the hospital.
• Providing you with information on pregnancy, birth and after the baby is born.

Despite The Royal Hospital for Women providing a large number of MAPS midwives and teams occasionally there may be limited availability. If you live outside of the hospital area we are not be able to provide postnatal visits in the home.

EMBODY_pregnancy is a virtual group physiotherapy program, designed by the expert team of women's health physios at The Royal Hospital for Women.  

What do the sessions involve? 

• Similar to seeing a physiotherapist 1:1, we suggest you wear comfortable clothing and tune in from an environment where you can move around. Your physiotherapist will guide you through movement, pelvic floor exercises and key health information to boost your pregnancy health

What do I need to attend?  

• Once you register, you will be sent the log in details for the Microsoft Teams Webinar event Simply follow the link and enter the invitation code to join

What if I'm working? 

• EMBODY_pregnancy is held at Midday, virtually to assist women to attend at work. We understand not all women have the flexibility to attend while at work so we encourage you to treat these sessions like appointments. We can provide appointment certification for your employer if needed

Do I need to be fit to attend? 

• No, you don't need to be fit. EMBODY has been designed for all women regardless of health or fitness level. Attending EMBODY weekly will help you gradually build strength and fitness as your pregnancy progresses 

What is the cost?  

• It is FREE to join EMBODY, our world-class virtual physiotherapy program! 
• EMBODY and physiotherapy is covered by Medicare. If you are Medicare ineligible, you can attend EMBODY free of charge

How do I register for program 2 and 3?  

• Your EMBODY physiotherapist will give you these details in program 1. We don't recommend registering in advance as the programs continually roll over. You can find these details below

What if I need to see a Physiotherapist?

• Within the EMBODY program you'll have opportunities to complete a short health survey, where you can tell us about any concerns or health problems that you might have. This survey acts as a referral, and we will contact you about an appointment as you need. You can also drop in to ANDi on Wednesday and Friday between 1.30 and 3pm, in Antenatal Outpatients to see a physiotherapist about your pregnancy symptoms or concerns. 

Program 1 - Early pregnancy (up to 20 weeks) 

• This program runs every Monday at 12pm midday, except for public holidays.  
• We recommend completing 4-12 sessions.
• You will receive a tailored pelvic floor program to start your pregnancy and find simple strategies to manage fatigue and improve your health in pregnancy.

To attend program 1 Register here!

Program 2 - Mid pregnancy (20-30 weeks) 

• Program 2 runs every Tuesday at 12pm midday except for public holidays.
• We recommend attending 4-8 sessions in program 2, through the middle of your pregnancy.
• You'll receive leading physiotherapy guidance to prevent and get on top of tricky pregnancy symptoms like pelvic girdle pain and incontinence. 

To attend program 2 Register here!

Program 3 - Late pregnancy (from 30 weeks) 

• Program 3 runs every Thursday at 12pm midday.
• Our final pregnancy program is all about birth preparation and setting up your recovery after birth. We recommend attending 6-8 sessions in program 3, up until you have your baby.

To attend program 3 Register here! 

EMBODY_after birth is a virtual group physiotherapy program, designed by the expert team of women's health physios at The Royal Hospital for Women. 

• All women having a baby at The Royal are invited to register for this 3-part series of virtual physio at key milestones in the recovery after childbirth. 
• We recommend you attend between 1-4 sessions of each program (early recovery, 6-week check and chasing active) to maximise the benefits of this evidence-based physiotherapy program. 

What do the sessions involve?

• Similar to seeing a physiotherapist 1:1, we suggest you wear comfortable clothing and tune in from an environment where you can move around. Your physiotherapist will guide you through gentle movements, pelvic floor exercises and key health information to boost your recovery.

What do I do with bub while I attend? 

• Great question! Your physiotherapist will give you options for participating with sleeping, feeding and unsettled babies at the beginning of each session. All babies are welcome and make for great training companions!

What do I need to attend? 

• Once you register, you will be sent the log in details for the Microsoft Teams Webinar event. Simply follow the link and enter the invitation code to join.

Do I need to be fit to attend?

• No you don't need to be fit. EMBODY has been designed for all women regardless of health or fitness level. Attending EMBODY weekly will help you gradually build strength and fitness as you recover after birth.

What is the cost? 

• It is FREE to join EMBODY, our world-class virtual physiotherapy program!
• EMBODY and physiotherapy is covered by Medicare for women who had their baby at The Royal. If you are Medicare ineligible, you can attend EMBODY free of charge. If you need to see a physiotherapist face-to-face, there is a charge if you don't have Medicare.

How do I register for program 2 and 3? 

• Your EMBODY physiotherapist will give you these details in program 1. For the moment, you will need to attend at least one session in program 1 to register for program 2. 
• To register for program 3, you will need to attend at least one session in program 2.

Program 1 - Early recovery (0-6 weeks after birth)

• This program of 4 sessions covers top tips for making a full and quick recovery. 
• It runs every Monday at 1130 am, except for public holidays. 
• We recommend completing 4 sessions in program 1 within the first 6 weeks after birth, especially if you had your first baby. 
• You will leave with a tailored PFMT program to start your recovery and find simple strategies to manage pain and pelvic floor symptoms. Each session involves both movement and pelvic floor exercise and has a topic focus: 

1. Session 1- individual pelvic floor muscle training program 
2. Session 2 -getting active 
3. Session 3 - common symptoms after childbirth 
4. Session 4 - healing wounds 

To attend program 1, Register here!

Program 2 - The 6-week check (6-12 weeks after birth)

• Program 2 builds on your movement and pelvic floor exercise across 4 sessions. 
• It runs every Tuesday at 1130 am except for public holidays.
• You'll receive leading physiotherapy guidance about returning to exercise, returning to sex and pelvic floor symptoms.
• We recommend attending 2-4 sessions in program 2, at the time of your GP 6-week check. 
• Your pelvic floor exercises will be progressed and you will be confident to exercise, returning to your pre-pregnancy exercise routine.

1. Session 1 - retraining bladder habits 
2. Session 2 - returning to sex 
3. Session 3 - pain in the butt 
4. Session 4 - running & jumping & my pelvic floor

To attend program 2, Register here!

Program 3 - Chasing active (12+ weeks after birth)

• Program 3 will help your pelvic floor handle the many different challenges that motherhood will throw at you. 
• It runs every Thursday at 1130 am except for public holidays.
• We recommend attending 3-4 sessions in program 3 anytime after your baby is 3 months old. If you are experiencing pelvic floor symptoms, 6-8 sessions are ideal.
• If you are still experiencing symptoms this final program is for you! You will have access to pelvic floor screening and 1:1 physiotherapy if you need it as you attend these final sessions.

1. Session 1 - incontinence
2. Session 2 - vaginal symptoms 
3. Session 3 - returning to running
4. Session 4 - planning next pregnancy 

To attend program 3, Register here!

If you are undecided about continuing with your pregnancy, SUPPS can arrange for counselling to help with your decision.

Receiving the right care during pregnancy improves outcomes for mothers and babies, regardless of which substances are being taken.

 

SUPPS is a voluntary service for women antenatally, but postnatally SUPPS will need to be part of your baby’s follow-up care.  Even if you don’t want SUPPS involvement, it is essential that you receive adequate antenatal care.

The role of SUPPS is to give you the information you need to make informed choices about drug or alcohol use and treatment options, whilst keeping you and your baby safe.

SUPPS has the most current information on the effects of substances and can work with you towards achieving stability or abstinence by the time your baby arrives. Partners can also be referred for treatment or counselling if needed as it makes it much easier if those close to you support your choices.

SUPPS can refer you to services to help with finding suitable housing prior to your baby’s birth. Unfortunately, some women are wary of SUPPS as they are worried about Department of communities and Justice (DCJ) involvement (previously DOCS/FACS). It’s true that SUPPS workers, like all health or education workers, are legally required to report any real concerns that a child may be at risk.  However, SUPPS will be upfront about those concerns and discuss them with you beforehand and assist with addressing any concerns raised.

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) 24/7 Helpline

This hotline provides confidential support for people struggling with addiction. You can call the Alcohol Drug Information Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

1800 250 015