Links to good information on COVID-19
As a parent-to-be or a parent of young babes, it is important to get the very best information to make your decisions with. I'm updating these links daily for you to have a one-stop-shop for information.
If you are pregnant, first and foremost please check in with your Obstetrician, Midwife or care provider for their latest updated information. Make sure you check in with your maternity ward about their testing and visitor arrangements. They will explain their most updated protocol. Always use this as your first point of information.
Two points I want you to know.
1. I've fact-checked these links so you don't have to.
2. Do not rely on any information or discussions you see on Facebook pages or groups. There are participants in these groups which thrive on creating extra stress and drama.
If you need the best health and medical Information.
Commonwealth Department of Health - the comprehensive and official site. Read this first https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
To download the what's app notifications visit here This is a great interactive and updated tool. So is the offical app
This statement from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists specifically outlines information for pregnant women. They're updating regularly https://ranzcog.edu.au/statements-guidelines/covid-19-statement
From the centre for disease control on the latest information on being pregnant, giving birth and breastfeeding https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html
This is a good government supported site with an excellent general overview of COVID and Children https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/coronavirus-and-children-in-australia
Australian measures and restrictions - spelled out in detail
Where to get tested in Victoria, including information on testing children
Updated information on kinder and schools
South Australia (this has great visuals)
Queensland (more great visual info here too)
Here is a great link from Dr Sarah Gleeson on coughs and colds, and medication - it's not COVID but its a good winter resource
This from a U.S public broadcaster on how to stay safe and make a game plan when you're expecting https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/22/817801475/pregnant-and-worried-about-coronavirus-how-to-stay-safe-and-make-a-game-plan
This advice on how to stop the spread of COVID-19 from the World Health Organisation https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
These are excellent myth busters https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
This is a good read from Stanford Children's Hospital in the USA as it talks about responsible and practical ways to prepare your home and health with babies and toddlers
For easy, daily news updates - I go straight to The Squiz, It's a super fast email read or a nine-minute podcast to start your day all news-ed up.
The latest on childcare arrangements from the Prime Minister's office
Here is a good one-stop shop for explaining things like access to benefits
If you need emergency information or access to supplies
Domestic Violence Support information in Victoria
Australian Red Cross - they can help with emergency supplies of baby essentials https://www.redcross.org.au/coronavirus
If you are seeking to know more about mental health and emotional support
PANDA is an excellent mental health resource at any time and this is a good first point of call
This from the ABC HACK programme on mental health. My favourite is #5
Meditation and COVID-19 https://www.mindful.org/how-mindfulness-can-help-you-navigate-the-coronavirus-panic/
Parents need COVID19 stress release - this features one of my all-time favourite bits of advice "give yourself grace". and this one about making sure we don't feel pressured into doing ALL THE THINGS RIGHT NOW is one that speaks to me. I like to do all the things, and then stress.
Navigating being pregnant, feeling anxious and COVID19
Personally, I find meditation really helpful and I follow the work of Gabby Bernstein and choosing the next best thought. Here are her tools to help with anxiety on https://gabbybernstein.com/coronavirus-anxiety/
This is a great read from our very own Royal Children's hospital on talking to children about COVID19, and If you've got older children, this is a helpful list about how to talk through the issues surrounding COVID-19 https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/how-talk-your-child-about-coronavirus-covid-19
This is a good one for kinder kids , it's got loads of fun visuals and even some opportunities for colouring in https://www.mindheart.co/descargables
This Beyond Blue link is a good one to always refer to, COVID19 regardless. It goes through social and emotional skills to practice with your babe or toddler.
If you want some tips of meal planning and snacks in the time of isolation or Why is everyone always hungry at my house?
I'm not the best at meal planning, so this is a helpful collation of how to cook from your pantry.
And if your kids now seem to all be super hungry - some hacks from our friends in USA who have been in lockdown already.
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that it features the advice of medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.