Links and Resources:

 

Queensland Family and Fertility Support is fortunate to have associations with other excellent practitioners and organisations. This is a (continuously growing) list of agencies, organisations or practitioners that we trust to provide excellent care to you – wherever you are in your road to parenthood.

Information and support during the perinatal period

Antenatal and Postnatal Network

https://www.antenatalandpostnatalpsychology.com.au

“The Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network is a professional collaboration of Psychologists who specialise in conception, pregnancy, the postnatal period, and the early parenting years. Known for our expertise, and dedication to the field of perinatal mental health, we are committed to providing care that is compassionate, non-judgemental and evidence-based.”

Centre for Perinatal Psychology

https://www.centreforperinatalpsychology.com.au

“The Centre for Perinatal Psychology is committed to strengthening relationships and facilitating joyful and confident parenting during the perinatal period. We are Australia’s only national group of psychologists dedicated to mothers, fathers, infants, couples and families during the perinatal period.”

Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology

http://www.gsog.com.au/

“Greenslopes Obstetrics & Gynaecology know how precious pregnancy is, so we put your needs first with direct one-on-one pregnancy care with the specialist of your choice. Our comprehensive services can attend to your every need throughout your pregnancy and beyond! We are the only practice in South East Queensland that provides a free postnatal midwife home visit for our patients.”

Possums for Parents with Babies

https://possumsonline.com

“ONLINE HELP for Breastfeeding, Sleep, Crying Babies, Maternal Mood: Because Beginnings Matter. Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC or the Possums programs). The evidence-based knowledge revolution in baby and toddler care, transforming lives since 2011. We offer ONLINE RESOURCES AND CONSULTATIONS for help with breastfeeding, sleep, babies who cry a lot, and maternal mood. Are you concerned that your baby has gas, colic, intolerances, reflux, or oral ties? We offer you gentle but highly effective help.”

Circle of Security

https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com

“At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security® Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.”

Healthy Male

https://www.healthymale.org.au

“We are a provider of information for men’s health. We facilitate action on men’s health in collaboration with others, advocate for change, empower men and boys to take action on their health, build the capabilities of the health system and workforce, and prioritise our efforts to close the health and wellbeing gaps in specific groups. Ultimately, we are working towards our vision of generations of healthy Australian men.”

Mental Health Online

https://www.mentalhealthonline.org.au

“Mental Health Online provides comprehensive and effective online services and programs free of charge. If you’re experiencing mental distress, our services can help you understand and address your needs through self-assessment, self-help and, if you choose, online professional support.”

Beyond Blue

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/pregnancy-and-new-parents

“Check out our information for new and expectant parents, covering everything from bonding with your baby to spotting the signs of anxiety and depression.”

Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA)

http://panda.org.au

“We know expecting and new parents are feeling especially vulnerable at this time. Despite increased pressure across our services PANDA remains committed to supporting the mental health of expecting and new parents, including those worried about the coronavirus, via our National Helpline and through our expert and accessible information and resources.”

Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)

https://www.cope.org.au

“Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) is a not-for-profit organisation devoted to reducing the impacts of emotional and mental health problems in the pre and postnatal periods. Our history and foundations are underpinned by extensive research and best practice. Building upon this, COPE provides a national, dedicated focus to perinatal mental health to address the identified issues that we know are currently preventing people from accessing timely and effective information and care.”

Gidget Foundation Australia

https://gidgetfoundation.org.au

Gidget Foundation Australia provides support for perinatal depression and anxiety by providing support services for families suffering emotional distress during pregnancy and early parenting, and education and awareness programs for health professionals and the community.

How miscarriage can affect men

https://www.healthymale.org.au/news/men-partner-miscarriage-guide-to-coping

Up to one in five confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage — the loss of a baby before 20 weeks. Despite how common pregnancy loss is, there’s still taboo, stigma and silence around the topic and vast room for improvement in how society and the health system help parents navigate it.

A man's guide to going through IVF

A man’s guide to going through IVF

Sadness and stress are common reactions to finding out you can’t start a family. And even though one in nine Australian couples struggle to conceive, you probably feel isolated and alone.

Pregnancy Loss

The Perinatal Loss Centre

https://www.theperinatallosscentre.com.au

“No matter how small your baby, the impact of loss can be forever. The ripples of loss extend through bereaved parents, their families, and through the maternity settings in which losses occur. The Perinatal Loss Centre provides support to all those people affected by the death of babies.”

Bears of Hope

https://www.bearsofhope.org.au

“We provide support for families who experience the loss of their baby. Let’s walk this journey together.”

Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Newborn Death Support (SANDS)

https://www.sands.org.au

“Sands is a volunteer-based organisation providing individualised care from one bereaved parent to another, giving them support and hope for the future, following the death of a baby.”

The Pink Elephants Support Network

https://www.pinkelephants.org.au

“Pink Elephants provides the latest resources, information and peer-support for anyone impacted by early pregnancy loss. They offer a single source of specialist support for anyone who has directly experienced it, for family and friends, corporate partners or healthcare professionals seeking proven ways to help”.

Infertility

Your IVF Success

https://www.yourivfsuccess.com.au

“This website provides clear, trusted information to help you decide if IVF treatment is right for you and makes it easy to find a clinic.”

Fertility Society of Australia

https://www.fertilitysociety.com.au

“Our mission is to keep our members, health professionals and couples who struggle with infertility up-to-date with the latest information and research.”

The Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA).

https://www.varta.org.au

“The Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA) is a statutory authority funded by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. VARTA provides independent information and support for individuals, couples and health professionals on fertility and issues related to assisted reproductive treatment. This includes IVF, surrogacy and donor-conception.”

Access Australia

https://access.org.au

“We can be an excellent resource for information, support and referrals. We seek to alleviate the pain and isolation of the one in six people in Australia with infertility by supporting them through their journey and making them aware of the medical and social options available to help them pursue their wish to have a child of their own.”

Surrogacy Australia

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org

“Surrogacy Australia’s mission is to enhance the understanding of, and access to, best practice surrogacy arrangements through education, support and advocacy.”

Your Fertility

https://www.yourfertility.org.au

“We offer the facts about fertility (the ability to have a baby) for men, women, trans and gender diverse people so that you can make the best possible decisions about having children, considering your unique circumstances. This website gives you the most current information about what you can do to have children when the time is right for you. It’s based on the most up-to-date scientific research and prepared by experts in the field. You can find out about how to improve fertility, take the fertility knowledge quiz, download our fact sheets, watch personal stories and videos from experts, and use interactive tools to help you get pregnant.”

Donor Conception Network

https://www.dcnetwork.org

“We are a supportive network of more than 2,000 mainly UK based families with children conceived with donated sperm, eggs or embryos, those considering or undergoing donor conception procedures; and donor conceived people.”

Relationship help

The Gottman Institute

https://www.gottman.com

“It is our goal to make our services accessible to the broadest reach of people across race, religion, class, culture, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. We are also committed to the care and support of our Institute team, as we know that compassion must begin with ourselves. “

Australian Centre for Emotion Focused Therapy

https://www.aceft.com.au

“The Australian Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy (ACEFT) is passionate about creating strong relationships and helping people to thrive. We share information about Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help to connect people interested in EFT with an EFT therapist. We provide training in EFT for therapists, and have two clinics offering EFT therapy.”

Relationships Australia

https://relationships.org.au

At Relationships Australia (Qld) we believe healthy relationships are essential for the wellbeing of children, families and communities.

“There are times in life when we all need help. We are committed to offering the best possible counselling, mediation, education and support services in a professional, relaxed and confidential environment.”

Handy Apps

Smiling Mind

https://www.smilingmind.com.au

A free meditation and Mindfulness app designed by Beyond Blue

Mind the Bump.

https://www.mindthebump.org.au

A free meditation and mindfulness app designed especially for pregnancy by Beyond Blue

Headspace.

https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app

A great app for mindfulness exercises. It is subscription based, however there is a free trial period.

Oak.

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/oak-meditation-breathing/id1210209691

An awesome free app for breathing exercises.

Breathwrk app.

https://www.breathwrk.com

A great app with breathing exercises based upon your specific goals. Some free features and a low-cost version.

CBT Thought Diary.

https://cbtthoughtdiary.com

A free tool for journaling, especially worries and anxieties. The premium option offers more tools.

Moodnotes.

https://www.ustwo.com/work/moodnotes/

A great anxiety journaling app built on CBT techniques and positive psychology. 7-day free trial period then a subscription fee.

Calm

https://www.calm.com

A great app for mindfulness exercises. It is subscription based, however there is a free trial period.

Gottman Card Decks

https://www.gottman.com/couples/apps/

This free app, inspired by the popular card decks from Gottman The Art and Science of Love workshops offers helpful questions, statements, and ideas for improving your relationship.

Video recordings

“They say it takes a village to raise a child. Sometimes it takes a village to have a child.”

SARA WALSH