Recording of the Multicultural Media Online Conference on Women's Health on Wednesday 18 October 2023

Multicultural Media Briefing – 18^th October 2023

Menopause

Menopause occurs when someone has not had a period for 12 months.
Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55.
The lead up to menopause is called perimenopause.
There are many hormonal changes during this time, which may cause symptoms like hot flushes (suddenly feeling very hot), sweating at night, trouble sleeping and changes in mood.
For World Menopause Day, the NSW Government has launched a new menopause awareness campaign.
In that, the free online toolkit, includes a menopause symptoms checklist and podcast series about common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
The toolkit has been translated into eight languages to support diverse communities.
A new resource for partners and family members of those experiencing perimenopause and menopause has also been developed and shared via the toolkit.

Links and Resources

Free online toolkit for perimenopause and menopause

https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/toolkits-and-resources/perimenopause-and-menopause-toolkit

Perimenopause and Menopause translated toolkit

https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/toolkits-and-resources/perimenopause-and-menopause-toolkit/symptom-checklist

Menopause Awareness Campaign Launch

https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-menopause-campaign-launches-on-world-menopause-day

HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a condition which occurs in pregnancy. It affects around 1 in 100 pregnant women.
Severe nausea and vomiting lasting days and leading to dehydration, weight loss and vitamin deficiencies may be diagnosed as HG
Women are encouraged to see their health care provider if they are experiencing difficulty eating or drinking because of nausea or vomiting in pregnancy.
There is a lot of help available to ease your symptoms during pregnancy.
For mild or moderate NVP, your health care provider may suggest changing your activities to get more rest, eating small amounts of food more often, sipping more fluids, avoiding vitamins which contain iron, taking ginger, anti-sickness medication, taking vitamin B6 and/or intravenous (IV) fluids.
If you have severe NVP/HG or you are dehydrated your health care provider may suggest anti-sickness medication, IV fluids and/or other types of treatment and care depending on your needs.
MotherSafe is a free helpline that provides advice on medications to manage nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
If you need an interpreter, you can call TIS National and ask them to connect you with MotherSafe, so you can seek advice in your own language.

Links and Resources

More Information on Hyperemesis Gravidarum

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/Pages/hyperemesis-gravidarum.aspx

MotherSafe Helpline :1800647848
TIS National Helpline: 131450

More Information on MotherSafe

https://www.seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/royal-hospital-for-women/services-clinics/directory/mothersafe

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding gives your baby the best start in life.
Breastfeeding is a learned skill that takes time and practice – for mum and baby.
It is normal for it to take time to settle into breastfeeding – give yourself at least 6 weeks.
You are not alone, there is online, phone and in-person support available to help you breastfeed.
- NSW Health Breastfeeding your Baby page, available in English, Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Vietnamese: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/breastfeeding
- Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) Breastfeeding Helpline national, free 24-hour helpline 1800 686 268
- Australian Breastfeeding Association ‘How Breastfeeding Works Handbook’, available in 14 different languages: https://abaprofessional.asn.au/how-breastfeeding-works/
There are many benefits to breastfeeding for mums and babies:
- Breastmilk meets all your baby’s nutritional needs for around the first six months and helps them to grow and develop.
- Breastfeeding is a great way to bond with your baby.
- Breastfeeding can help protect your baby from sickness, like gastroenteritis and asthma.
- Breastfeeding can help mothers recover from birth, by helping the womb return to its usual size.
- Breastfeeding is a free, safe and convenient way to feed your baby
It’s recommended that babies are exclusively breastfed until around 6 months of age and continue to be breastfed until 12 months and beyond, for as long as the mother and child desire.
If you are undecided, you can give it a try for a few weeks. Any amount of breastmilk is beneficial to your baby.

Links & Resources

NSW Health Breastfeeding your Baby page:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/breastfeeding

Find our local Child and Family Health Service:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/programs/Pages/health-services-map.aspx

Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) Breastfeeding Helpline:
1800 686 268
• If you need an interpreter to use the ABA Breastfeeding Hotline, you can use the free, 24-hour Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) by calling 131 450

Australian Breastfeeding Association ‘How Breastfeeding Works Handbook’, available in 14 different languages:

https://abaprofessional.asn.au/how-breastfeeding-works/

Australian Breastfeeding Association in-language resources:

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources-other-languages

COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy and breastfeeding:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/higher-risk-groups/pregnant-and-new-parents#toc-covid-19-vaccinations-for-women-who-are-pregnant-breastfeeding-or-planning-pregnancy

Influenza (flu) vaccine and pregnancy and breastfeeding:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Influenza/Pages/influenza_and_pregnancy.aspx

World Breastfeeding Week:

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/world-breastfeeding-week