We offer a wide variety of fact sheets on women's health topics
Some fact sheets are also available in different languages
See Find a fact sheet for our list of languages
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After your operation - helping you to recover
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.
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Apnoea and bradycardia in premature babies
The information in this fact sheet aims to describe apnoea and bradycardia, a common pattern of breathing seen in very premature infants.
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After your operation - helping you to recover
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Breast biopsy tests
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.
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Breast changes
Your breasts change a lot. This information explains why your breasts change and what changes are common.
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Breast changes - Fibroadenomas
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.
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Breast cysts
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.
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Breastfeeding - All fact sheets in other languages
Breastfeeding fact sheets in languages other than English are grouped together here.
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Breastfeeding your baby
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.
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Breast imaging tests
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.
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Breast soreness
Breast soreness is very common. It affects most women at some time in their lives.
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Breast biopsy tests
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Colposcopy
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.
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Cone biopsy
A cone biopsy is a minor operation to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix to be examined.
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Contraception - Your choices
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.
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Contraceptive pill
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.
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Coping with common discomforts of pregnancy
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.
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Colposcopy
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Early interaction with your baby at home
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.
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Early pregnancy - before your first pregnancy appointment at the Women’s
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.
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Early pregnancy - how to take care of yourself
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.
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Emergency contraception
If you had sex without contraception, or had problems with your regular method (missed pills, broken condom), emergency contraception can help prevent unplanned pregnancy.
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Emptying your bladder after birth
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.
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Epidural information
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.
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Explaining preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is an illness that occurs during or immediately after pregnancy. It can affect both the mother and the baby.
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Early interaction with your baby at home
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Improving care for sick and premature babies through research
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.
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Improving your recovery after birth – Physiotherapy advice
After you have given birth we recommend that you follow some simple steps which will improve your postnatal recovery.
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Induction of labour
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.
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Interacting with your baby: States of arousal
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.
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Improving care for sick and premature babies through research
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Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
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.
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Normal bowel function
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.
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Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
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Pain and bleeding in early pregnancy
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.
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Parent guide for the first week of life
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.
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Pelvic floor exercises
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.
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Perineal tears - third and fourth degree
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.
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Post mortem examination - an explanation for families
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.
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Pregnancy and Birth - Vietnamese
Fact sheets about pregnancy and birth - Vietnamese language
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Pain and bleeding in early pregnancy
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Reading your baby’s body language
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.
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Resuscitation: A parent’s guide
If your baby is not breathing this fact sheet will explain how to perform resuscitation on your baby.
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Reading your baby’s body language
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Skin-to-skin care with your baby
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.
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Supporting your premature baby’s development in NICU
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.
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Skin-to-skin care with your baby
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