A-Z fact sheets

An Abdominal Muscle Separation is the separation of the long muscles of the abdomen during pregnancy. It is also known as a 'Diastasis'. This information explains why it occurs and tips on how to care for yourself.

This booklet is an Easy English translation of the Day Surgery at the Women's information sheet. It has been designed to assist women with disabilities or limited English understand what happens when they attend the Women's for day surgery.

Active birth is when you are upright, moving your body and using different positions in labour and birth. It can help with managing contractions, the baby’s position and improving the progress of your labour.

As a patient of the Women's, you will need to make decisions about your treatment and healthcare. Advance care planning is a way to ensure that your wishes are followed, even if you were very sick and unable to express them.

After a miscarriage you may have a number of questions. This information answers some commonly asked questions and provides contact details for some support services

After your operation, bed rest and inactivity can increase the risk of chest infection and blood clots in your legs. These can be avoided if you follow the instructions in this fact sheet.

Health professionals advise that alcohol and pregnancy do not mix. There are no known safe levels of alcohol use in pregnancy, so women are advised to stop drinking alcohol before getting pregnant and to not drink at all during pregnancy. If you breastfeed drinking alcohol is not recommended but their are ways to reduce the harmful effects if you choose to drink.

Using amphetamines (Ice, Speed, Ecstasy) during pregnancy can affect the development of your baby’s brain and nervous system before birth. Amphetamines cause your heart rate and your baby’s heart rate to increase. They can also make you less hungry, which affects the amount you eat and the amount of nutrition your baby gets and how much your baby grows.

Have you considered expressing breastmilk while you are pregnant? This is called antenatal expressing. This fact sheet explains how and why antenatal expressing is done.

This fact sheet is for patients who are receiving antibiotics during their hospital stay.

The information in this fact sheet aims to describe apnoea and bradycardia, a common pattern of breathing seen in very premature infants.

Following vaginal repair surgery it is best to avoid putting pressure on the vaginal area by straining to use your bowels. This fact sheet gives you tips on avoiding constipation after vaginal repair surgery.

There are many benefits of massage for premature babies. Massage may help your baby put on weight, assist with circulation and encourage relaxation and sleep. It also helps your baby develop a positive response to touch and can strengthen the bond between you and your baby.

Baggarrook means ‘woman’ in the Aboriginal Woiwurrung language. At the Women’s, our Baggarrook midwives are a team of three midwives who provide maternity care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

This information is for patients who have gone home after having a balloon catheter inserted into their cervix, preparing it for an induction of labour.

Benzos, bennies or benzodiazepines, belong to a group of drugs known as minor tranquillisers. Benzos are depressants. This means that they slow the messages going to and from the brain and body, affecting physical, mental and emotional responses. Drugs in this group include Diazepam (Valium, Ducene), Oxazepam (Serepax, Murelax), Temazepam (Normison, Euhypnos) and Clonazepam (Rivotril).

This booklet is designed to accompany the video presentation available in the Women's Online Childbirth Education Program. It expands on the information in the videos and includes links to additional resources.

The overall aim of bladder training is to restore the normal function of your bladder. Research shows that bladder training is an effective treatment for some types of bladder problems.

Breast and nipple thrush can be painful. You can get help so you can keep breastfeeding.

Your specialist at the Breast Clinic has arranged tests to investigate a change in your breast. Breast biopsy tests are explained in this fact sheet. They are used to investigate lumps or other changes in the breast.

Your breasts change a lot. This information explains why your breasts change and what changes are common.

This information is for women who are having an open biopsy to investigate breast changes. It explains what an open biopsy is and why it is needed.

Fibroadenomas are a type of non-cancerous breast lump. They can range in size from smaller than a marble to as large as a golf ball. This information sheet called Breast changes - Fibroadenomas explains what a fibroadenoma is, how it is diagnosed and treated.

You have been referred to the Breast Clinic at the Royal Women’s Hospital to investigate a change in your breast. This sheet will give you some information about what to expect when visiting a breast clinic at the Women's.

Your doctor has found that you have a cyst in your breast. This information will explain what breast cysts are, how they are diagnosed and treated.

Here you will find all of our English language fact sheets about breastfeeding grouped together.

Breastfeeding fact sheets in languages other than English are grouped together here.

This fact sheet is for people who are breastfeeding and using a supply line to give their baby extra milk. It will also help people considering using a supply line.

Breastfeeding: Getting started gives you tips on how to establish good breastfeeding practices in the days after your baby is born and beyond.

Nipple shields are thin silicone covers that can be placed over the nipple to assist with breastfeeding.

This fact sheet is designed to help you understand nipple vasospasm and to help you manage your symptoms. If you have further questions or you feel you are not managing the pain you can contact the services listed for further information or support.

This 16 page booklet is for mothers who are starting to breastfeed. In it you will find information on how to get started and how to avoid common problems when breastfeeding your baby.

This information is for women who are to have a breast ultrasound or mammogram to investigate changes in their breast. Your specialist at the Breast Clinic has arranged breast imaging tests for you.

Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma or BIA-ALCL is a rare form of cancer linked with certain types of breast implants. This fact sheet answers many commonly asked questions about BIA-ALCL.

Babies born very early or underweight might miss out on some nutrients they would usually receive through the placenta in the last weeks of pregnancy. These nutrients can be added to your breast milk in a powder form called ‘human milk fortifier’ (HMF).

This fact sheet outlines the steps to follow when caring for yourself after your breast implant has been exchanged. The implant may be a tissue expander exchanged for a permanent prosthesis; or a permanent prosthesis exchanged for a new permanent prosthesis.

This fact sheet gives general information for women who are having liposuction after breast reconstruction surgery and/or liposculputure (also called fat grafting and lipofilling), or are thinking about having these procedures.

This fact sheet is for women who are having or considering a nipple-areola reconstruction following their breast reconstruction.

Perfect breast symmetry is very difficult to achieve but this fact sheet lists surgeries that help improve breast symmetry after breast reconstruction.

This fact sheet is for women who have chosen to have a breast reconstruction with an implant. It explains what to expect after a total mastectomy and insertion of a tissue expander (plastics) as well as aspects of your post-operative care.

This fact sheet is for women who are having a breast reconstruction using a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, or are considering having a DIEP flap reconstruction. It explains what the reconstruction involves, and what to expect before and after the operation.

This fact sheet is for women who are having a breast reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi (LD) flap, or are considering having a LD flap reconstruction. It explains what the reconstruction involves, and what to expect before and after the operation.

This fact sheet is for women who are having a breast reconstruction using a transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap, or are considering having a TUG flap reconstruction. It explains what the reconstruction involves, and what to expect before and after the operation.

Breast soreness is very common. It affects most women at some time in their lives.

This fact sheet has general instructions for patients on caring for yourself following a total mastectomy. As individual circumstances can vary, it is important that you discuss your post-operative care with us.

Buprenorphine is used to treat addiction to heroin, morphine, pethidine, codeine or oxycodone. Buprenorphine is longer acting than most other opiates and therefore can be taken once a day or every two days. During pregnancy, a daily dosage is recommended to provide a more stable environment for you and your baby. When you are on the correct dose of buprenorphine, it will stop you, and therefore your baby, from experiencing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This is very important for your unborn baby’s health.

Cannabis (Marijuana, Weed, Dope) is a depressant, which slows the messages going to and from the brain to the body. Using cannabis during pregnancy may harm your baby and the more cannabis you smoke in pregnancy the more your baby will be affected.

If you are a patient at the Women's and are going home with a catheter, there are a few important things that you need to know. The Catheter care - information for going home fact sheet provides information to help you avoid getting an infection.

In the last few weeks of pregnancy, most babies settle themselves with their head in a downward position, ready for birth. Some babies however, position themselves with their bottom down. This bottom down position is called a breech position. If your baby is in the breech position, our doctors and midwives can help to turn your baby. This information explains how.

Pregnancy is a good motivator to reduce or stop smoking cigarettes and tobacco. Smoking in pregnancy is linked to miscarriage, low birth weight and premature birth. In older children it is linked with asthma, breathing conditions and behavioural problems such as attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity.

This fact sheet is for women who are patients of the Royal Women’s Hospital and have been advised to use clean intermittent self catheterisation (CISC) to help empty their bladder.

A colposcopy is an examination which is recommended after some positive or abnormal cervical screening test results. Your local doctor (GP) will discuss these results with you. After a colposcopy, decisions can be made about whether treatment is needed or not.

Using a worry free contraception that suits you is your best protection against unplanned pregnancy. In this fact sheet we discuss the pros and cons of condoms and diaphragms.

A cone biopsy is a minor operation to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix to be examined.

This information is for women at high risk of ovarian cancer. It describes the surgical procedure called Risk-Reducing Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO). It explains when the surgery is recommended, what it involves and how to manage the effects of surgery.

If you do not want to conceive again soon after a pregnancy, or your doctor has advised you to delay your next pregnancy for medical reasons, it is important to choose an effective method of contraception. Contraception is also called birth control or family planning.

Here you will find a list of all our contraception fact sheets in English

Contraception fact sheets in languages other than English are grouped together

If you don’t want to get pregnant, you need to use contraception (birth control). Sometimes drugs or alcohol can affect your ability to make decisions about birth control. This fact sheet called Contraception & substance use provides practical advice for women.

If you're having sex and don't want to get pregnant, you need contraception. Contraception is also called birth control or family planning. This fact sheet discusses your options.

Using a worry free contraception that suits you is your best protection against unplanned pregnancy. For some, the contraceptive pill is an option. This fact sheet discusses the two main types of contraceptive pills.

It is quite normal to have a few discomforts in early pregnancy. Sometimes they can become quite severe and you may need to talk to your doctor about what to do. This fact sheet discusses some methods for coping with common discomforts of pregnancy.

These fact sheets explain the difference between donating cord blood (to the BMDI Cord Blood Bank at The Royal Children's Hospital) and arranging for cord blood collection with a private company. They also explain why the Royal Women's Hospital does not collect cord blood to be stored by private companies. All mothers donating cord blood to the BMDI Cord Blood Bank will be asked to read About AusCord and Public Cord Blood Banking before providing informed consent. They will also be asked to complete a questionnaire and give a blood sample which is tested for infectious diseases to determine eligibility.

A birth plan tells everyone what you want during labour and birth. It helps you, your support team and care providers understand your preferences and goals. Since every labour and birth is unique, your birth plan needs to be flexible. Sometimes, for safety reasons, changes or medical assistance might be needed. But we’ll support you in making informed decisions.

If you had a curette after a miscarriage at the Women's this information sheet gives you advice for going home after your procedure.

This information is for women who have had a cystoscopy at the Women's. It explains what to expect after your procedure and gives advice on how to care for yourself once you go home.

A cystoscopy is an examination of the bladder using a special viewing camera that is inserted via the urethra and into the bladder. This fact sheet is for patients of the Women’s who are to have a cystoscopy.

This information answers general questions about day surgery.

Recovering from your vulvar surgery will take some time and it's important to take care of yourself during this period. This information will help you in your recovery.

This information is for women who have recently been informed that they may have been exposed to DES (di-ethyl-stilboestrol or stilboestrol). This DES exposure fact sheet discusses the importance of being under the care of medical professionals experienced in DES exposed women and the treatments and examinations they will need.

Women whose mothers were prescribed DES (di-ethyl-stilboestrol or stilboestrol) during pregnancy may experience a number of gynaecological changes. This fact explains what DES related problems may arise in DES exposed women.

If you have been exposed to DES there are a number of physical changes and complications that you need to be aware of and the regular examinations you will need to monitor your health.

There are a number of health issues that DES exposed women over forty or approaching menopause need to consider.

As a patient with diabetes you have an increased risk of complications when you have surgery. In this fact sheet, we hope to answer some of your questions about diabetes and surgery at the Women's.

Domperidone is a prescription medication generally used for nausea and vomiting. Some women are prescribed Domperidone for increasing breast milk supply.

This heading groups together all fact sheets covering the use of recreational drugs and alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Here you will find all of our fact sheets on topics related to early infant development

Listed here are all early infant development fact sheets in languages other than English.

As you prepare for going home with your baby, it can be helpful to understand more about what you can do to support your baby’s early development in their first few months at home.

This fact sheet is for women due to attend the Women's for their antenatal care. Before your first pregnancy appointment at the Women's, be sure to make bookings for services you may need before your appointment. These services and other early pregnancy tests are outlined in this fact sheet.

There are a number of things that you can do before you get pregnant, and in the early weeks, to encourage a healthy pregnancy. Taking care of yourself in early pregnancy is very important. Read this fact sheet for tips to show you how.

If you had sex without contraception, or had problems with your regular method (missed pills, broken condom), emergency contraception can help prevent unplanned pregnancy.

No matter how old you are, you can go to a pharmacy and ask for emergency contraception. When getting emergency contraception from a pharmacy, the pharmacist will probably ask you some questions. This fact sheet gives you information about what sort of questions to expect from your pharmacist and what are your rights.

If you have difficulty emptying your bladder after birth or have no sensation to pass urine then you may develop urinary retention. If the bladder is not emptying properly then the urine that is left behind can build up over time, this is known as urinary retention.

This fact sheet is for women who have been told they have Endometrial Atypical Hyperplasia (EAH) or are worried they do. It explains what this condition is, some of its symptoms and ways you can treat it.

This fact sheet is for women who have been told that they have Endometrial Atypical Hyperplasia (EAH) and may be advised to have hormone treatment using a progestogen IUD. It will explain what an intrauterine device (IUD) is, and the benefits and problems of using a progestogen IUD to treat this condition.

This fact sheet is for anyone diagnosed with or concerned about endometrial cancer. It explains what it is, common symptoms and ways to treat it.

Eating well and being active after treatment for endometrial cancer is important for your recovery. This guide to healthy eating and being active explains how keeping a healthy weight, eating well and leading an active lifestyle may even lower your risk of other cancers developing in the future.

Hormone treatment using a progestogen IUD is unusual when treating endometrial cancer but it may be an option for you. This fact sheet is for women who have been told they have early stage cancer of the endometrium. It explains what an intrauterine device (IUD) is, and the benefits and problems of using a progestogen IUD to treat this condition.

Endometriosis is a common condition affecting about 1 in 10 girls, women, and gender diverse people.

For many women, the decision about treating endometriosis is often a matter of balancing the risks of the treatment against the effect the endometriosis is having on their life.This fact sheet explains the treatments available.

Your doctor suspects that you may have endometriosis and has offered you the option of having a laparoscopy. Treating endometriosis with laparoscopy means your diagnosis can be confirmed and the treatment can be carried out at the same time.

This information is for women having an epidural during labour at the Women's. It explains what an epidural is, why you are having one and how it is administered.

All pregnant women without complications are encouraged to participate in regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Preeclampsia is an illness that occurs during or immediately after pregnancy. It can affect both the mother and the baby.

Expressing breast milk is when you use your hands or a breast pump to get the milk from your breasts. Whether you use your hands or a pump is dependant on how long you have been breastfeeding, the reason you are expressing and how often you are going to express.

The benefits of breast milk for babies are well known. This fact sheet explains the benefits and process of expressing breast milk for sick or preterm babies.

This fact sheet is for women who have been told they have fallopian tube cancer or are worried they do. It explains what cancer of the fallopian tubes is, some of its symptoms and ways to treat it.

The African Women's Clinic is a nurse-led clinic staffed by women’s health nurses experienced in providing care for women who have experienced female circumcision or traditional cutting. This fact sheet explains what to expect if you are attending this clinic.

This fact sheet is for women attending the African Women's Clinic to reverse their circumcision. It tells women how to use the anaesthetic cream provided before their procedure. Female circumcision is also known as female genital cutting.

This fact sheet called "Female circumcision (traditional cutting) and the law in Australia" explains what the law regarding female circumcision is in Australia and how it is applied.

This fact sheet is specifically for women attending the African Women's Clinic. The procedure to reverse your circumcision is called deinfibulation. This fact sheet explains what to expect on the day of the procedure and how to look after yourself at home.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths within the muscle wall of the uterus (womb). Women usually develop fibroids during their reproductive years. After menopause they tend to get smaller. This fact sheets provides information about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of fibroids.

This fact sheet is for those who have undergone a fine needle testicular biopsy as part of fertility treatment at the Women's. It provides post operative care instructions after discharge from hospital.

Follow-up care aims to help you to stay in good health after your treatment for cervical cancer. You may be having side effects, such as fatigue or moods swings. The treatment may also have impacted on your relationships or your sexuality or you may need support with diet, exercise and activity. Follow-up after cervical cancer treatment aims to support you through this.

When you’re pregnant it’s important to choose your food carefully. Find out which foods are safe to eat and which should be avoided.

Around the third or fourth day after you give birth, your breasts start to produce lots of milk. This is known as the milk ‘coming in’. You may find you have full breasts, initially producing more milk than your baby needs.

This fact sheet provides important information for women going home after having an epidural/spinal anaesthesia at the Women’s.

Going home from hospital after your baby is born can be exciting but it’s busy and demanding too. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes but there are a number of things that you can do to help you and your family enjoy the early weeks at home.

This information is for pregnant women whose waters have broken (the membranes around the baby have ruptured). This fact sheet called Going home when your waters have broken will help you to watch for the signs of infection when you go home.

The Women’s encourages mothers to breastfeed their babies. Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. This fact sheet contains information on healthy eating and good nutrition for breastfeeding mothers.

The Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening test is recommended at 36 weeks of pregnancy. This fact sheet will help you decide whether to have the test. It also provides information on what to expect if the test is positive.

Early medical abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy. This fact sheet explains what to expect when having an early medical abortion.

This booklet contains all that you need to know about having your baby at the Women's. It includes the different pregnancy care options we offer and guides you week by week through your pregnancy until the birth of your baby. It also includes important information to consider after your baby's birth.

Headaches after surgery or childbirth are common. However, depending on your age, procedure and other circumstances, you have a 1 in 100 to 1 in 500 chance of developing a ‘post dural puncture’ headache after an epidural or spinal anaesthetic. This fact sheet describes this special type of headache, it's causes, symptoms and treatment.

Now that you’re pregnant it’s the ideal time to review your diet. What you eat during pregnancy affects your own health and wellbeing, your developing baby and your baby’s health later in life.

Now that you’re pregnant it’s the ideal time to review your diet. What you eat during pregnancy affects your own health and wellbeing, your developing baby and your baby’s health later in life.

This fact sheet is for women who are pregnant with twins. It explains how much and what kinds of food you need to eat during your pregnancy and how much weight to gain. Healthy eating when you’re pregnant with twins is especially important.

Heavy menstrual bleeding, heavy periods or menorrhagia is a common health complaint. This booklet provides information about the causes of heavy menstrual bleeding, how it can be investigated and what treatments are available.

Holding your baby against your skin helps your baby to feel secure and stimulates your milk supply. It's a great start to helping your baby to breastfeed in the NICU.

Babies receive their first dose of the hepatitis B virus immunisation soon after birth. This fact sheet aims to answer many of the frequently asked questions about why babies are given this 'birth-dose' of the vaccine and why it is important to immunise your baby against the hepatitis B virus.

This fact sheet is for women who are concerned about the use of herbal and traditional medicines in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

If you use heroin and other opiates when you are pregnant it can harm your unborn baby. It can also harm your baby to withdraw from heroin during pregnancy without the support of a health professional.

This information sheet is for parents of babies currently in Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that are to be discharged from hospital with Home Oxygen Therapy. It explains why baby need oxygen therapy, how to use the equipment and who to contact for help and advice.

Some babies need to use a feeding tube while they are transitioning to breast or bottle feeding. The Home Tube Feeding Program at the Women's aims to support parents to care for their baby(s) at home while they are transitioning to a home tube feeding program managed by The Royal Children’s Hospital or Monash Children’s Hospital.

Some babies need to use a feeding tube while they are transitioning to breast or bottle feeding. The Home Tube Feeding Program at the Women's aims to help parents care for their baby at home.

Babies should be watched carefully during hot weather; they are particularly at risk of heat-related illness. This information sheet explains how to tell if you baby is affected by hot weather and ways keep them safe.

Exercise has been shown to be beneficial for most women during pregnancy. For women with Gestational Diabetes, exercise has a positive effect on blood glucose levels and, along with a healthy diet, can reduce the need for insulin during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding will benefit you as well as your baby. This fact sheet will give you tips on how to breastfeed successfully and explain how to know if your baby is feeding well.

A hysterectomy is an operation to remove the uterus. An abdominal hysterectomy means the operation is performed through a surgical incision or cut to the abdomen. This fact sheet explains the procedure, why it is recommended, what to you need to do after your surgery to take care of yourself.

A total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) is an operation to remove the uterus with the aid of an operating telescope called a laparoscope. This fact sheet gives you information about the procedure and what to expect after the operation.

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows a gynaecologist to see the inside of the uterus (womb). Hysteroscopy procedure may be used for either diagnosis or treatment.

This information is for patients coming into the hospital for a hysteroscopy and going home on the same day.

The information in this fact sheet aims to explain why immunisation for babies in intensive and special care is important.

The Newborn Intensive and Special Care nurseries (NICU) at the Women’s provide the best possible care for babies. We are continually updating our practice by carrying out careful research studies to improve care for sick and premature babies.

After you have given birth we recommend that you follow some simple steps which will improve your postnatal recovery.

This information is to help you and your family make a choice about induction of labour and to answer some of the questions you may have.

An inguinal hernia occurs when a small piece of the bowel slides through a little hole in the abdominal wall and into the scrotum or a pouch in the groin. Inguinal hernias usually present as a bulge in the groin when your baby strains or cries.

Inhalants, or volatile solvents, are household, industrial or medical products. Inhaling the vapours from these products can make you feel intoxicated or ‘high’. Inhalants are depressants which slow down the activity of the brain and its connections (often called the ‘central nervous system’). Inhalants contain many toxic substances which are harmful to both you and your baby. It is believed that nearly all inhalants cross the placenta and enter the baby’s blood stream. For this reason, it is important you stop using inhalants during pregnancy.

Babies have a range of arousal states, both in sleep and when awake. For premature babies, their 'states of arousal' will vary depending on their gestational age and the stage of development. Understanding your baby’s arousal state will assist you to support their current stage of development and understand what interactions they may be ready for.

This fact sheet is for women who are patients of the Royal Women’s Hospital and are to have a cystoscopy, a procedure to examine the bladder and urethra.

This fact sheet is to help your doctor explain a condition that your baby has. If there is anything you don’t understand about Intraventricular Haemorrhages please ask more questions.

Most healthy premature babies will be ready to start eating solid food between five and eight months. The timeframe will vary from one baby to another.

This factsheet provides answers to some commonly asked questions about iron infusions. It does not contain all available information and does not take the place of talking to your doctor, nurse or midwife about why iron infusion has been recommended in your particular case.

Iron is essential for the manufacture of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. During pregnancy iron is needed in larger amounts because the mother’s blood volume increases and the baby’s blood is also developing.

Many babies admitted to Newborn Intensive and Special Care (NISC) will have an IV or drip (intravenous vascular catheter). In this fact sheet we explain what an IV is and why your baby needs to have one inserted.

Newborn babies often appear to have a yellowish tinge to their skin. This is called jaundice. It happens when a chemical called bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood and tissues. In most babies jaundice is a normal event and not serious. It will nearly always disappear gradually within days without the need for any special treatment.

Here you will find all of our English language fact sheets about labour and childbirth grouped together.

Labour and childbirth fact sheets in languages other than English are grouped together here.

Laparoscopy is another term for keyhole surgery. It is an exploratory operation performed under general anaesthetic that allows the gynaecologist to inspect your pelvic organs - the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

This information explains what to expect when you go home after having a laser procedure for dysplasia under a general anaesthetic.

This information explains what to expect when you go home after having a laser procedure for dysplasia under a local anaesthetic.

This information is for those who have had a LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision), LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone) or a cone biopsy procedure under a general anaesthetic.

This information is for those who have had a LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision), LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone) or a cone biopsy procedure under a local anaesthetic.

The term LEEP stands for Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure. It is a minor operation where a small piece of abnormal tissue (biopsy) is removed from the cervix for examination.

If you’re having sex and you don’t want to get pregnant, you need to use contraception. Long acting reversible contraception, such as intra uterine devices (IUDs), contraceptive implants and contraceptive injections, may be the choice for you.

Low breastmilk supply is when your body is not making enough breastmilk for your baby’s needs.

A lumbar puncture is a test done by a doctor to get a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, from your baby’s back. CSF surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Lumbar puncture is also called a spinal tap or LP.

When babies develop a need for oxygen or breathing support over the first few weeks of life, the doctors will say that the baby has 'Chronic Lung Disease', also known as 'Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia' or 'BPD'. BPD in newborn babies mostly affects babies who are born prematurely.

Lymphoedema is a condition characterised by a chronic swelling (oedema) which occurs when there is a build up of lymphatic fluid in the body’s tissues. The condition usually affects the legs and or the arms but can also occur in other areas of the body.

This fact sheet is for women who have been a patient at the Women's. It explains what to expect after a major operation and gives advice about how to look after yourself once you go home.

Mastitis is when your breast gets inflamed because of nipple damage or changes in your milk ducts. Mastitis is quite common.

If you need to start, stop or change any medicine when you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about how to keep you and your baby safe.

This fact sheet is for women who are concerned about the use of medicines while breastfeeding.

This fact sheet about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) explains the treatment used to relieve symptoms of the menopause. MHT replaces female hormones that are at a lower level as you approach the menopause. Menopausal hormone therapy is also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Metformin is a medicine that was developed for the treatment of diabetes. This fact sheet explains how it can be used to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Methadone is a prescribed substitute for heroin and other opiates such as morphine, pethidine or codeine. Research shows that methadone (done) as an opiate substitution treatment helps users to reduce their other opiate use such as heroin. Methadone maintenance treatment has been shown to significantly improve pregnancy outcomes for opiate dependent women.

This information is for patients who have been diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy and need to have treatment with methotrexate medication.

As part of our Maternity Hospital in the Home Postnatal (MHITH) Program, a midwife can visit you at home after your planned caesarean.

This fact sheet is for women who have had a minor operation at the Women's. It explains what to expect after your procedure and gives advice on how to look after yourself once you go home.

This information is about what happens when it is certain that you have had, or are going to have a miscarriage.

Grouped together under this heading are all fact sheets about miscarriage.

This information is for people who have been diagnosed with a molar pregnancy. This condition may also be called a hydatidiform mole or gestational trophoblastic tumour.

The Special Care Nursery is a new and different environment for your baby and it may take them a day or two to settle in. Their stage of development has progressed but they can still be sensitive to changes in their environment.

This fact sheet is based on common questions that parents have asked about MRI and their baby. If you have further questions please ask.

If you have already has a caesarean birth and are now pregnant or planning a future pregnancy, this booklet is designed to help you consider your future birth options and discuss them with your doctor and/or midwife.

A myomectomy is an operation to remove fibroids from the uterus. It leaves the uterus intact and therefore is suitable for women planning to have children.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy or ‘morning sickness’ can occur at any time of the day. The cause is unknown. This fact sheet will assist you in coping with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is inflammation of the bowel. Premature infants have immature and fragile intestines. They are sensitive to changes in blood flow and to infection. We usually do not know why an individual baby develops NEC.

Infant withdrawal or Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) happens when a baby has been exposed to opiates (including heroin, methadone and buprenorphine), stimulants, inhalants, sedatives, alcohol and some antidepressant medication during pregnancy. It is not possible to predict before birth which babies may develop NAS.

Here you will find all of our English language fact sheets on topics related to newborn intensive care

It is important for your baby's health that any problems with your baby's thyroid gland are detected early. Newborn thyroid function tests assist with detecting if any problems exist.

NICU Volunteers aim to provide extra support to you and your baby while you are in the care of the Women's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This information sheet explains more about our NICU Volunteer Program and how to sign up for support.

Nipple tattooing is a semi-permanent way of replacing colour to the nipple areola region post breast reconstruction.

The pelvic floor is made up of a network of muscles and nerves which control both bladder and bowel function. Good bowel habits help to protect these muscles and minimise the risk of both bladder and bowel incontinence. This fact sheet is now called Preventing constipation.

Here you will find all our fact sheets in English about good nutrition and pregnancy grouped together.

This fact sheet is for women who have been told they have ovarian cancer or are worried they do. It explains what ovarian cancer is, some of its symptoms and ways to treat it.

The medications used during ovulation induction may cause your ovaries to grow more than one follicle which increases your risk of having a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets). This fact sheet discusses the risks associated with a multiple pregnancy.

Ovulation Induction (OI) is a treatment option for couples who have been unable to conceive despite regular unprotected intercourse over a 6–12 month period. This information sheet is for women who are to take part in the Ovulation Induction Program; it explains the medications used and what to expect whilst on the program.

Bleeding in early pregnancy can be very distressing but it does not always mean that you are having a miscarriage. Bleeding is very common in early pregnancy, affecting about one in four women, many of whom will go on to have a healthy baby.

This guide helps new parents understand what is normal for their newborn baby and what signs to watch for that might mean their baby is sick.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and ligaments which support the bladder, uterus (womb) and bowel. It is important that all women exercise their pelvic floor muscles everyday throughout life, to prevent weakness or improve strength.

It is common for the perineum to tear during a vaginal birth. Most often a tear will simply need to be stitched and will heal well. Some tears are worse than others and can affect your broader health and wellbeing. Third and fourth degree perineal tears will need more attention and time to heal.

A PICC is used for the long term delivery of intravenous medication, chemotherapy and fluids. It is often recommended when suitable veins for injections are difficult to access. A PICC may be in place for up to 12 months.

Periventricular leukomalacia is an area where small cysts have developed in the white matter in the brain, next to one of the ventricles. PVL is not usually seen until the baby is about a month old. The precise cause is usually unclear.

Your doctor has recommended you avoid lifting for medical reasons. This can be difficult if you have small children to look after, but it is possible. The key to managing your lifting restrictions is to plan ahead. You need to re-think all of the types of lifting you do, even those that seem normal or routine.

Positional talipes is a common condition which can affect one or both of your baby’s feet. The cause is largely unknown; it is thought to be due to the position of the baby in the womb.

Babies all develop at a different pace and many factors can influence their development. Babies who are born early may find some motor and movement skills more difficult at first. This guide will help you understand some early developmental milestones and ways in which you can help your baby with positions and activities to support their development.

This information is for families whose baby has died at the Royal Women’s Hospital. While some of the information will be relevant to families elsewhere, not all hospitals follow the same procedures.

This information explains the events leading up to and during a postpartum haemorrhage. It includes important information to consider after the birth of your baby.

This fact sheet explains the risk of heavy bleeding after the birth of a baby. This is called postpartum haemorrhage or PPH. It explains why PPH happens and what it means for you if it occurs during the birth of your baby.

There are benefits in practising perineal massage towards the end of your pregnancy. Regular massage to your perineal area can help to prepare for the stretching and widening of the vaginal opening that occurs during the birth of your baby.

This decision-making tool is designed to assist people who are undecided about whether to continue with their pregnancy. It is designed to explain your options and help you to make the decision that is right for you.

Here you will find all of our English language fact sheets about pregnancy grouped together.

Here you will find our pregnancy related fact sheets that are available in other languages.

Pregnant women can become quite sick with flu (influenza virus) and are at an increased risk of complications. During flu season it is best to take precautions to protect yourself and your unborn baby.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can cause pins and needles, numbness and stiff painful hands. It affects 30-50 per cent of pregnant women.

Pelvic girdle pain is pain in the pelvic joints that may develop during or after pregnancy.

Before birth, babies are in a fluid-filled sac inside your uterus. This the amniotic sac or 'membranes'. It usually breaks before or during labour, around your due date. But sometimes it breaks earlier. This is called premature rupture of membranes.

Thinking about getting pregnant? Read this fact sheet for some hints on important things you should know before you get pregnant.

You may have some questions in preparing for your procedure with misoprostol. This fact sheet will answer several commonly asked questions about the process.

Prescription opioids are prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain but are also taken recreationally because they induce feelings of relaxation, pleasure and contentment. If you use prescription opioids when you are pregnant and while breastfeeding, your baby will also be exposed to these medicines and may be at risk of harm.

Cancer treatment can affect fertility. However, there are some techniques and interventions that can help preserve fertility. Ovarian tissue freezing is one such technique.

This booklet is for young women who are about to have chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery that may affect their fertility. It aims to help you make decisions now that may increase your chance of having children in the future.

Some medical treatments like radiation, chemotherapy and some surgery can affect your fertility. If you are to have any of these treatments, you may wish to consider the option of fertility preservation.

The pelvic floor is made up of a network of muscles and nerves which control both bladder and bowel function. Good bowel habits help to protect these muscles and minimise the risk of both bladder and bowel incontinence.

Cancer treatment can affect fertility. This information sheet is about how radiotherapy affects the uterus, what can be done to protect it and the implications for fertility.

All babies, even those who are born early have ways to show us how they are feeling. By watching your baby’s body language, you will learn to recognise when they feel happy and content, when they are tired or when they may need some help and support from you. In this information sheet, we discuss some common behavioural cues and suggestions for how you may respond to them.

A regional anaesthetic allows you to have a caesarean delivery while you are awake without feeling pain (whereas under a general anaesthetic you would be asleep).

If your baby is not breathing this fact sheet will explain how to perform resuscitation on your baby.

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is an eye problem that occurs in some, but not all premature babies. If it does develop, it is usually mild, and goes away by itself without causing any vision problems.

There are some factors we can identify during pregnancy, which make Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) more common. If your baby is at risk of developing DDH this fact sheet will give you information about the condition and explain how and when babies are screened for DDH.

A baby's skin is thinner, more fragile and more sensitive than an adult's. Caring for and protecting your baby's skin will help avoid problems in the future. This fact sheet discusses how to care for your baby's skin.

Skin-to-skin care involves holding your baby close against your skin on your chest. It is good for both you and your baby. It is sometimes called kangaroo care.

Giving newborn babies sucrose by mouth, together with sucking and being held or contained, has been found to be a safe way to reduce or minimise discomfort from brief painful events such as a heel prick. The effect lasts only a few minutes.

Every baby is individual and has their own particular needs. By providing sensitive support to your baby while they are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), you can help them adjust to the NICU environment. Your baby is growing and developing and there are many things that you as parents can do to support your baby’s development.

Here you will find all our English language fact sheets about having surgery at the Women's.

In most cases it is fine to take your placenta home for burial or consumption as long as you can follow the basic health and safety precautions which are explained in this fact sheet.

This fact sheet is for those who have undergone a testicular biopsy as part of fertility treatment at the Women's. It provides post operative care instructions after discharge from hospital.

If you are having your baby at the Women's, this fact sheet outlines what things to bring into hospital.

This information will help you care for and support someone while they’re in labour, whether they’re giving birth vaginally or by caesarean section.

Tongue-tie can make it hard for your baby to move their tongue easily and can sometimes make it hard for your baby to breastfeed properly.

If we are transferring your baby to another hospital you may have a number of questions. This fact sheet answers some common questions parents ask.

This fact sheet information describes non-hormonal medicines used for hot flushes. It should not replace the official product information.

There are various surgical options for women with stress urinary incontinence who have not responded to physiotherapy or medications. Mid-urethral sling operation is one option.

Treatment for miscarriage is aimed at avoiding heavy bleeding and infection. It is also aimed at looking after you, physically and emotionally.

Trial of void is a test to check bladder function. This is an instructional fact sheet is for patients of the Women's explaining the procedure.

This fact sheet is for women who have had a TVT-Cystoscopy at the Women's. It explains what to expect after your surgery and gives advice on how to look after yourself once you go home.

As your baby’s head is still soft it can mould or change shape if they lie in one position for long periods of time. By following the guidelines in this information sheet, you may help your baby to develop a rounded head shape.

Individual women vary in their responses to an unplanned pregnancy as a result of sexual assault. Whatever the response, it is crucial that women have control over any decisions they make and have access to the services they need to help support their decisions.

When deciding what to do about an unplanned pregnancy, it is important to remember that you are the best person to make this decision. This information sheet discusses your options and where to get advice and support.

Some women are in relationships that aren't supportive, or could be described as abusive or violent. Women report that these relationships affect them and their decisions when pregnant.

Counselling provides the opportunity to talk to a trained health professional in a safe and confidential environment. 'Pregnancy options counselling’ is usually a short-term service that acknowledges the urgency of the situation and focuses on your unplanned pregnancy and supports you to make your own decision.

Your partner or friend has decided to have an abortion. This information sheet outline the things you can do to support them at this time.

This fact sheet is for women who are patients of the Royal Women’s Hospital and are having an urodynamics bladder test to investigate their bladder problems.

Once your milk has “come in” you may find it easier to express breast milk with a breast pump, either manual or electric. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding use, cleaning and sterilisation.

For most women labour starts naturally between 37 and 42 weeks but some women may need help to start their labour. Stretch and sweep is a procedure used to try to start natural labour, it is offered to women who are close to or past their due date.

Vaginal prolapse is a common condition where the bladder, bowel or womb descend into the vagina. This fact sheet discusses using vaginal pessaries to treat prolapse.

Vaginal prolapse is a common condition where the bladder, uterus and or bowel protrude into the vagina. Treatment is only indicated when the prolapse is symptomatic. The majority of women will have improvement of symptoms following an operation.

This information is for women who have had vaginal surgery at the Women’s to treat prolapse.

As e-cigarettes are tobacco free many believe they pose less of a risk; they are, however, not harmless. There is some evidence that e-cigarettes smoked during pregnancy may affect the developing baby in a similar way to tobacco.

Vitamin D helps to maintain your muscle and bone strength and helps your body to absorb calcium from food. In pregnancy, vitamin D also helps to develop your baby's bones.

Vitamin D helps a baby's growth and promotes healthy bone development. We recommend you give your baby vitamin D from birth until your baby is 12 months old or as recommended by your doctor.

This information sheet is for women who have had vulvar laser surgery at the Women’s. It explains how to care for yourself after you have been discharged from hospital.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer of the vulva or a precancerous condition you may need surgery. This fact sheet is about the surgery and includes advice for going home.

Without good nutrition, wounds may take longer to heal. This fact sheet provides tips on how to eat well before and after your vulvar surgery.

At the Royal Women’s Hospital you can choose to labour and birth in water if it is considered safe for you and your baby. You can use the following information to have a discussion with your doctor or midwife at your next clinic appointment.

The amount of weight you gain during pregnancy can affect your own health as well as your baby’s health and development. Understanding your weight gain is the first step towards a healthy pregnancy. As well as our information sheet we have a number of graphs for you to download so that you can plot your weight during your pregnancy.

Sometimes during late pregnancy changes may occur that can concern some women. Many of these concerns can be raised and discussed at your clinic appointment, however some should be discussed with a midwife as soon as possible.

There are many reasons why some women will feel more comfortable with a female doctor or health carer, especially when they are pregnant, when they wish to discuss sexual health matters or when it is necessary to have a vaginal examination. This fact sheet will explain why it is not always possible to have a female doctor.

If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, we strongly recommend being vaccinated against whooping cough. This fact sheet explains why it is important for you and your baby.

During your pregnancy, we will talk with you about how you plan to feed your baby. Your feeding plans, whatever they are and previous feeding experiences are important. Whether this is your first baby or if you have fed other babies you may have some questions.

We recognise the importance of involving our patients in their own care and providing clear communication. This booklet aims to provide information about the care and services available at the Royal Women's Hospital.

This information is for people who are having surgery at the Women's and will stay in the hospital for care after their surgery.