pdf Flowchart for Screening, Diagnosing and Referring of GDM (303 KB) (Feb 2015)
 SESLHD GDM policy

Get Healthy in Pregnancy - Free confidential information and/or telephone coaching service 
pdf General Practice Referral Form (988 KB) - also available in Best Practice and Medical Director
pdf Get Healthy in Pregnancy brochure (630 KB)
Weight gain during pregnancy
pdf Physical actvity during pregnancy (1010 KB)

Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE): https://www.cope.org.au/

Screening and assessment tools 

pdf The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale translated and validated for 18 languages (4.00 MB)

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mental Health Care in the Perinatal Period (October 2017)

 beyondblue - provides access to a variety of information regarding perinatal mental health

Psychological Support Services (PSS)

PSS provides FREE short term face-to-face psychological services to people living in the CESPHN region. Priority groups include women experiencing perinatal depression from conception to 12 months after birth.

For more information visit our PSS page or phone 9330 9999.

For dads

 sms4dads - A free service that delivers three texts each week with tips, information and links to other services to help fathers understand and connect with their baby, support their partner and monitor their wellbeing. 
 Dadvice - Beyond Blue tips, practical advice and support for fathers. 

 Search for certified operators to perform nuchal translucency ultrasound scans - RANZCOG Nuchal Translucency: Ultrasound, education and monitoring program
 First Trimester Sceening Learning Module: NSW Centre For Genetics: On-line education module 
pdf Thalassaemia screening in pregnancy (386 KB)
Haemoglobin EPG screening flowchart 2015

Additional information on a range of genetic matters can be accessed from the NSW Health Centre for Genetics Education and the National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC.Translated materials are available here. 

Translated material regarding pregnancy related issues can be located at NSW Health: Multicultural Health Communication Sevice. Information available include maternity care options, planning a pregnancy, caring for a baby at home and depression during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Pre pregnancy information

Women planning pregnancy should have their vaccination needs assessed as part of any pre-conception health check. In particular, consider vaccination for:

• hepatitis B
• measles
• mumps
• rubella
• varicella

• Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding – The Australian Immunisation Handbook
• Immunisation in pregnancy – Immunisation (Department of Health)
• Pre vaccination information -   The Australian Immunisation Handbook

Influenza vaccination during pregnancy

Vaccination remains the best protection pregnant women and their newborn babies have against influenza. 

Influenza vaccination is available free to pregnant women on the National Immunisation Program. Pregnant women can have the vaccine at any time during pregnancy and they benefit from it all through the year. 

Influenza can be a serious disease, especially when you are pregnant. If you have influenza during pregnancy, you are at much higher risk than other adults of complications and possible hospitalisation. Immunisation not only protects you but also your baby. Babies under 6 months are too young to be vaccinated themselves but are at high risk of serious complications if they catch the virus. Influenza infection during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery and even death in newborns and very young babies.

The influenza vaccine is free for pregnant women as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

The influenza vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy and at any stage of your pregnancy. 

Further Information:

For health professionals:

• ATAGI clinical advice for immunisation providers regarding maternal vaccination through the NIP – Immunisation (Department of Health)
• Seasonal influenza vaccination 2019 – NSW Health
• Vaccinations during pregnancy factsheet - NCIRS

For pregnant women:

• Flu (influenza) immunisation service – Immunisation (Department of Health)
• Seasonal influenza vaccination 2019 – NSW Health
• Protecting your baby against influenza starts when you're pregnant (brochure)
• Pregnancy: Protection and Vaccination from Preconception to Birth (brochure)
• Maternal influenza vaccination – evidence review

Pertussis vaccination during pregnancy

Vaccination remains the best protection pregnant women and their newborn babies have against whooping cough (pertussis).

In NSW, whooping cough vaccine is available free for pregnant women. The evidence around the timing of pertussis vaccination in pregnancy has recently been reviewed and the pertussis-containing vaccine is now recommended as a single dose between 20 and 32 weeks in each pregnancy (mid 2nd trimester to early 3rd trimester), including pregnancies that are closely spaced to provide maximal protection to each infant. This advice is reflected in the Australian Immunisation Handbook - pertussis chapter.

The vaccine should be given as early as possible (from 20 weeks) to women who have been identified as being at high risk of early delivery. It is available through antenatal clinics, general practitioners (GPs) and Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs).

International studies have found that whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective for both the mother and baby. Vaccination is best given at 20-32 weeks to provide time for antibodies to be produced and passed on to the baby to provide protection until baby is able to have its own vaccinations from 6 weeks of age. Babies less than six months of age are at greatest risk of severe disease and death from pertussis. Maternal antibodies against pertussis provide protection to babies until they have received at least two doses of pertussis containing vaccines (at six weeks and four months of age).

Family members and carers who will have close contact with babies in their first weeks of life should receive a whooping cough vaccine, either from an appropriately trained pharmacist or on prescription from a GP, at least two weeks before having contact with the baby unless they have received a dose in the previous 10 years and all children should be up to date with their vaccinations.

Further Information

 Health professionals:

• 2019 Seasonal Influenza vaccine for pregnant women - clinical advice for vaccination providers
• Vaccinations during pregnancy factsheet - NCIRS

For pregnant women:

• Whooping cough (pertussis) immunisation service – Immunisation (Department of Health)
• Whooping cough (pertussis) – NSW Health
• Protect your newborn from whooping cough – NSW Health resources
• Protect your baby from whooping cough. Vaccinate for free when pregnant (brochure)

Childhood vaccinations

For more information see Immunisation for children (Department of Health)

Pregnancy Care Guidelines - Department of Health

SESLHD Policies, Procedures and Guidelines - Women and Babies Health

Zika Virus information

Abuse and violence: Working with our patients in general practice (White Book)

 First trimester screening training module
Developed by Centre for Genetics Education, Royal North Shore Hospital and the Royal Australian College of GPs. It is an online training module and you will receive CPD points as well as Antenatal Shared Care Points.

 RACGP Courses
There are a number of face to face and online courses on the RACGP website that you can complete that can earn you both CPD points and Antenatal Shared Care Points. We just ask that the course that you complete has a component of Antenatal education included in them. Some suggested topics include pre-eclampsia and hypertension in pregnancy, common conditions in pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and miscarriage. If you are unsure whether the course is suitable please email Lauren Thomas.

 Think GP
If you do complete any other online courses please send any relevant documentation through to Lauren Thomas to receive your antenatal points.