Useful Contacts for Postpartum - Lake Mac, Newcastle and Surrounds

Most parents have their sights set on baby's arrival, but postpartum presents its own challenges. As a postpartum doula I can help with many of these, but not all of them. I like to be upfront with my clients and let them know what my scope of expertise is, and if my skills can’t tick all their boxes, assist them in connecting with the right provider to address their unique concerns.

I began writing this document some time ago. It provides a list of, and links to, the types of services and professionals in my local area of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle and surrounds who I would consider my "go to" people if I was looking for help for postnatal clients. I considered keeping it as a private “resource” list for my own clients, but my dream is for everyone to get the support they need, and gatekeeping this information doesn’t help towards that vision.

[If you came here looking for information on local pregnancy and birth care providers, the info you are looking for is in my Birth Options blog. A list of pre and post-natal support services for fathers and non-birthing parents can also be found here.]

Of course there are many services and groups that would be helpful down the track too such as postnatal exercise providers, playgroups etc., but the list got a little out of hand! For the immediate postpartum, this is where (and who) I would start with.

All practitioners listed here are people I have either worked with directly, or had clients and those in-the-know personally recommend them. The only exception to this is the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, whose qualifications and depth of training essentially mean you can't go wrong.

Unfortunately the majority of services listed here are fee-for-service providers (the health system doesn't do a great job of supporting new parents, if you hadn't noticed), but do ask the practitioners if any Medicare or health fund rebates are available for their services and how to access these. You may also like to ask them about any concession pricing or home visit options if these are relevant to your situation.

At the end of the article you will find a list of useful phone services, the majority of which are free and available 24/7. These are good numbers to have saved in your phone for use ASAP if the going gets rough. I encourage all my postpartum planning and doula clients to do exactly that - the difference between “doing okay” and “absolutely shattered” can be a matter of hours or days when you have a tiny baby (and likely shorter if you’ve had twins or higher order multiples!)

International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (almost all do home visits)

IBCLCs are the gurus in breastfeeding. Their training goes well beyond that of GPs, nurses and other professions providing breastfeeding advice, including the vast majority of hospital midwives and child and family health nurses. You can find out more about IBCLCs here.

Nicole Wyborn (Fletcher)

Emma Maher (Paterson) 

Sandra van der Jagt (Dudley)

Julianne McKie (Cardiff South)

Lisa Collins, Newcastle Mums and Bubs (Cooks Hill, also in the sleep support section)

Faye Lynch (Charlestown)

Cara Collins(Eleebana)

Margaret Currie (Waratah)

Susanna Scurry (Stockton)

Beverley Bailey (Wallalong)

Amanda Pauley (Lorn)

Elizabeth Milne (Swansea)

Harriet - Central Coast + online - The Breast Help (also in the sleep support section)

Breastfeeding support groups and Breast Pump Hire

Connect with teams of dedicated, trained local volunteers to help meet your breastfeeding goals.

Lake Macquarie group

Newcastle group

Upper Hunter group

Psychologists specialising in the pre and postnatal period

Not sure how you're going? This quick quiz from PANDA can help new parents objectively figure out how they're going and if professional support would likely be helpful or not.

Forest for the Trees Perinatal Psychology

Select practitioners at the Hummingbird Centre and LifeWise Centre

Birth Story Listening

Telling a chronological birth story over and over doesn't always help people make sense of or feel better about their experience. Birth Story Listening is a specialised process to help people explore, understand and feel differently about their births.

Anna Cusack (me)

Daniella Ruru

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Everyone is recommended to get a pelvic floor physio check around 8-12 weeks after giving birth, or before embarking on an exercise program (even one under supervision of another postnatal exercise provider). This is important even if you're not leaking or had a caesarean birth.

Female Focus Physiotherapy (Lambton)

Complete Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy (Kotara)

Osteo and chiropractic (for you and your baby)

Osteo and chiro can help you get back on track physically, and assist baby with things like feeding difficulties and colic.

Graham Young and associates (Charlestown) - (02) 4943 2833

Family Chiropractic Charlestown (Charlestown)

Australian Children's Chiropractic (Warners Bay)

Baby sleep support (without sleep training)

There is a middle ground between "sleep training" (which is not evidence based) and "wait it out" (which can feel unsustainable).

Annie Littlehales - Holistic sleep support coach

Harriet - The Breast Help (also an IBCLC)

Newcastle Mums and Bubs (Cooks Hill, also provides IBCLC services)

Tash McGrath - postnatal doula who does overnights

Postnatal massage therapy

Postnatal massage is for more than relaxation. It can help with healing, scar tissue, lymphatic drainage and more.

Bodyease (Adamstown)

Whole Mumma mobile massage therapy

Kinesiology

Support for the nervous system, physical body and emotions in the postnatal period.

Erin Dube

Mothers' circles and support services

Becoming a parent is a massive life change, and one that is difficult to navigate without support from mentors and peers. There are people who are trained to facilitate this experience and help you connect with others along the way, building your confidence and community backup, and reducing isolation.

My circles, in person at Teralba once per quarter, and monthly online. I also do private support sessions to assist in the transition to motherhood/parenthood and early years of mothering/parenting.

Newcastle Birth Movement (Hamilton) six week mums and bubs courses

Mums' Cottage, particularly the Infant massage program (Holmesville)

Newcastle Mums and Bubs (Cooks Hill)

Phone support lines

• Ambulance - 000
  
• Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) - 1300 726 306, 9am - 7.30pm Sydney time, Mon-Fri.
• National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 268. Free support from trained volunteers, open 24/7.
• HealthDirect - medical advice over the phone (not available VIC and QLD). 1800 022 222, open 24/7.
• Cub Care - www.cubcare.com.au Virtual clinic with specialist doctors for kids. (This is a paid service).
• MotherSafe - advice on exposures + medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. (NSW only) 1800 647 848, weekdays 9am-5pm.
• Lifeline - 131 114, 24/7.
• Suicide Callback Service - 1300 659 467, open 24/7.
• SANDS - pregnancy and infant loss support. 1300 308 307. Free support from trained volunteers, open 24/7.
• ParentLine - Support/counseling. 1300 130 052 (NSW number, all states have their own) 9am-9pm Mon-Fri, 4-9pm weekends.
• Pregnancy, Birth & Baby - support for parents with children aged 0-5 years. 1800 882 436, 7am - midnight Sydney time, 7 days.
• National Poisons Information Centre - 131 126, open 24/7.
• 1800 RESPECT - National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counseling service. 1800 737 732, open 24/7.
• MensLine Australia - Support and referral to specialist men's services. 1300 789 978, open 24/7.