About Womens and Childrens Health

St George Hospital is located on Gray Street in Kogarah, NSW 2217

• General Hospital number: 9113 1111.
• Gynaecology ward: 9113 2667.
• Antenatal clinic
  • To book your first appointment: 9113 2162 or click here 
  • To change appointments: 9113 1495.
• Birth unit: 9113 2125.
• Maternity ward (antenatal and postnatal ward): 9113 3145.
• Breastfeeding and Lactation Information and Support Service: 9113 2053.
• Special Care Nursery: 9113 2558.
• Paediatrics (Children’s Ward): 9113 1925.
   

A tour of the maternity/women’s and children’s health services
 

Follow this link to watch a virtual tour of the whole of St George Hospital. This is available in multiple languages.
 

We have services to help you find your way.

Do you need an interpreter?

Professional interpreters are available if you need help to communicate with staff. Our staff can also ask for an interpreter. The service is free and confidential. We will book the interpreter for you in person or over the phone. Some family members like to interpret for you, but we prefer to have a health care interpreter present as they can explain things you may not understand. You can also call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 if you need to speak to us before your appointment.

Cross Cultural Workers 

Cross Cultural Workers in Maternity & Child & Family Health Services provide a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL service for women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and international students who are birthing and/or using child and family health services in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. For more information click here.
 

Djurali Naba – Caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mums and Bubbas

Who we are

Djurali Naba (we used to be called New Directions) is a program the provides care to Indigenous Mums and Bubs in the antenatal and postnatal period.

Our program aims to provide families with individualised care to improve outcomes for mothers and babies through continuity. A midwife and an Aboriginal health worker will see you for each of your appointments. We work in a multidisciplinary team with consultation or referral to obstetric doctors and allied health care workers as needed. Care is provided throughout your pregnancy and up to 14 days after the birth of your bubba.

We offer face to face, or telehealth appointments as needed. We can also refer to other services as needed e.g. medical imagery, social work, pathology. Djurali Naba team is supported by the Obstetric team at Sutherland and St George Hospital.

What we do

Our Djurali Naba team offer cultural awareness, safety and emotional support. Care is provided throughout pregnancy and up to 14 days after the birth of the baby.

We offer home visits, clinic visits and outreach from Aboriginal services.
We work with other services to offer you holistic and coordinated care, including services working with Aboriginal women, children and families.

Our services include:

• Support and advocacy
• Yarning Circles
• Midwife consultations
• Pregnancy care
• Pregnancy, labour, birth, breast feeding, and postnatal education
• Postnatal care and home visits
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Contraception advice
• Referrals and links to other services

Next steps after Djurali Naba

When you are discharged from Djurali Naba, the staff from Narrangy-Booris, will support you to care for your bub until they are 5 years old.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the Djurali Naba Team Mon- Fri 0800-1630 on:
Midwife: 0439391192
Aboriginal health Worker 0438597948

Resources

Djurali Naba pamphlet

Looking after yourself is important for all new parents during pregnancy and after the birth. Catching up on sleep when you can during the day will help you with the sometimes-difficult nights. It can often be hard to accept help when it is offered but people who you know, and trust understand how hard this newborn period can be. Giving you time for sleep, helping with other children and housework, or providing a meal can help you manage the needs of a new baby and feeding. Ask your partner or support person to cuddle your baby after a feed or take your baby for a walk in the pram or sit with the baby while you sleep, shower, or have a break for yourself. Partners also need support. Things will get easier.

Feelings of sadness and/or worry are common in pregnancy and for the first year following the birth. If you find yourself feeling sad or anxious, please seek help. Your midwife, Child and Family Health nurse and GP are all good people to talk to and can refer you for further help if needed. The following websites have information and support for both parents:

• Beyond Blue: parenting
• COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence)
• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) 
• Perinatal Mental Health Support
• Qlife - LGBTIQ+ specific mental health support line

We recommend all women at St George read the following brochures:

• Caring for your cannula
• Falls prevention for maternity services 
• Preventing blood clots in pregnancy and after birth
• Your Rights and responsibilities 

What to do if you are concerned about yourself or a loved one?    

• If you are, please talk to staff. You know yourself, or the person you care about, the best. We encourage patients, carers, and family members to let us know when ‘something isn’t right’. Please tell us if you are worried about your condition, or the condition of a family member or friend.
• If you are admitted to the Hospital, we encourage you to use the ‘REACH’ program to help you escalate any concerns. 
• Here is how to ask for help:
  • Talk to your midwife or doctor about your concern.
  • If you are still worried after this discussion, ask for a ‘clinical review’. This should take place within 30 minutes and is usually attended to by the person in charge of the ward.
  • If you are still worried, make a REACH call by calling 32213 from a Hospital phone OR calling 9113 2213 from your mobile.
• For more information click here
   

• Speak with your midwife/doctor at your next appointment.
• Do you need an interpreter? Professional interpreters are available and are free. Talk to staff about this or call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 if you need to speak to us before your appointment.
• The following resources have more information about pregnancy, labour, birth, and what to expect after having a baby. We encourage you to use these resources:
  • Having a baby book
  • Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website

The St George Hospital maternity unit has been conducting important research in the field of pregnancy and postpartum health for many years. During your pregnancy and/or stay in the maternity ward, you may be approached by one of the researchers, to discuss a research project that you (and sometimes your baby) are suitable for, which may interest you.

The Obstetric Medicine Research Group (OMRG), led by A/Professor Greg Davis, is a team of doctors, midwives, allied health professionals and students, which manages the research projects. All projects are approved by the SESLHD Human Research Ethics Committee before they start.

The research projects involve many different topics and change often, however the OMRG has an interest in pregnancy complications, especially high blood pressure in pregnancy. Some of the research is done at St George Hospital while other projects are done in collaboration with other hospitals and universities.

Research is an important part of health care as it gives us new information that may lead to improvements in health care. Taking part in research can be rewarding as it gives you the opportunity to contribute to the health of future generations.

• Led by A/Prof Greg Davis
• Looking at the physical and mental health of women, and the health and development of their babies at 6-months, 2-years, and 5-years postpartum. Includes women who had normal blood pressure in pregnancy and those who had gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.
• Recruitment is complete. 415 women joined the study. The 6-month and 2-year follow-up are finished. We are working through the 5-year follow-up – due to finish in December 2023.
• Contact Lynne Roberts, P4 Study Project Manager for more information. Phone: 9113 2117, or email: lynne.roberts2@health.nsw.gov.au

• Led by A/Prof Amanda Henry
• A randomised trial looking at three different interventions to help women make lifestyle behaviour changes to lower their risk of heart disease after having high blood pressure in pregnancy. Follow-up is done at 6-months, 12-months, and 3-years postpartum.
• Conducted at six hospitals around Sydney: Campbelltown, Liverpool, Royal Hospital for Women, Royal Prince Alfred, St George, and Westmead. St George Hospital is leading the study.
• Recruitment is complete. 484 women joined the study. The 6-month and 12-month follow-up are finished. We are working through the 3-year follow-up – due to finish around February 2025.
• Contact Lynne Roberts, BP2 Study Project Manager for more information. Phone: 9113 2117, or email: lynne.roberts2@health.nsw.gov.au

• Led by Prof Katie Groom from Auckland University, A/Prof Amanda Henry at St George Hospital
• A randomised trial looking at whether the use of corticosteroid injections for the mother, prior to planned caesarean section at 35-39+6 weeks of pregnancy will safely reduce the risk of short-term breathing problems for babies. This trial will include over 2,500 mothers and their babies.
• Conducted at 30 hospitals across Australia and New Zealand.
• Currently recruiting at St George Hospital.
• Contact Donna Lohmeyer, C*STEROID coordinator at St George Hospital, for more information. Phone: 0439 186 772, or email: donna.lohmeyer@health.nsw.gov.au
• C*STEROID website

• Led by Prof Katie Groom from Auckland University, A/Prof Amanda Henry at St George Hospital
• A randomised trial looking at whether the use of corticosteroid injections for the mother with diabetes, prior to planned caesarean section at 35-39+6 weeks of pregnancy will safely reduce the risk of short-term breathing problems for babies. This trial will include over 2,200 mothers and their babies.
• Conducted at over 20 hospitals across Australia and New Zealand.
• Currently recruiting at St George Hospital.
• Contact Donna Lohmeyer, PRECeDe coordinator at St George Hospital, for more information. Phone: 0439 186 772, or email: donna.lohmeyer@health.nsw.gov.au
• PRECeDe website

• Led by: Prof Anushka Patel and A/Prof Clare Arnott from The George Institute of Global Health and Prof Amanda Henry at St George Hospital.
• A randomised intervention trial in women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) and evidence of pre-diabetes. Women recruited to the study will have had a pregnancy with GDM in the last 5 years. This study will involve the medications Metformin and Ozempic, and a wearable Garmin activity monitor. The study will be looking at outcomes such as changes in activity levels, weight, BMI, BP, and blood glucose levels.
• Aiming to recruit 60 women at St George.
• Currently recruiting at St George Hospital.
• Contact Donna Lohmeyer, DIVINE Pilot coordinator at St George Hospital, for more information. Phone: 0439 186 772, or email: donna.lohmeyer@health.nsw.gov.au

• Led by: Prof Emerita Robyn Richmond at UNSW and Prof Amanda Henry at St George Hospital.
• A randomised control trial to determine the effectiveness of the BUBS Quit smoking cessation intervention, compared to standard care, for pregnant women who smoke. Intervention group receive four counselling sessions, supportive text messages, the choice of nicotine replacement therapy and access to other tools, such as phone apps and websites.
• Conducted at 24 hospitals across Australia and New Zealand.
• Currently recruiting at St George Hospital.
• Contact Donna Lohmeyer, BUBS Quit coordinator at St George Hospital, for more information. Phone: 0439 186 772, or email: donna.lohmeyer@health.nsw.gov.au

• Led by Dr Megan Gow
• A pilot randomised controlled trial assessing a “Produce Prescription” program for pregnant women with food insecurity and at high risk of gestational diabetes in Australia. Participants in the study will be randomised to either the produce prescription group, or the usual care group. Women in the produce prescription group will receive weekly boxes of nutritious food throughout pregnancy. Usual care group will receive food vouchers to buy food of their choice. Pregnancy weight gain will be the main study outcome. Will also consider other outcomes such as BMI, gestational diabetes rates, baby size, and high blood pressure rates.
• Conducted at four hospitals around Sydney: Campbelltown, Canterbury, Nepean, and St George Hospitals.
• Currently recruiting at St George Hospital.
• Contact Lynne Roberts, Produce Prescription coordinator at St George Hospital, for more information. Phone: 9113 2117, or email: lynne.roberts2@health.nsw.gov.au

St George Hospital provides this information on the understanding that all people accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent care you should go to the nearest Emergency Department.

This website has been developed with input from women and consumers at St George Hospital. St George Hospital also acknowledges Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD.

We are always looking for ways to improve our website, please use this link if you would like to provide feedback.