Advice for young mums to be

By Kath Gannaway
YOUNG pregnant women in the Yarra Ranges will have greater access to antenatal information thanks to a new resource called “Hey BABE…what if you’re pregnant”.
The resource, to be launched on 8 April, was developed by the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Eastern Health, Women’s Health East and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn said the information contained in a poster, information card and CD would help young women aged 15-21 who may not otherwise have access to antenatal education or support.
The information will also be useful for other people in the person’s life.
“We wanted to produce an easy-to-read and accessible publication that provided the essential pregnancy information, antenatal care options, post natal information and information on the development and management of children in the early years,” Cr Dunn said.
She said according to the 2006 Census, there were 723 young mothers in the Yarra Ranges aged between 15 and 24.
The figure accounted for 4.9 per cent of the age group, which was higher than the eastern metropolitan figure of 2.7 per cent.
“Based on these figures and the information from local care providers, there was obviously a need for more support and information for our young mothers-to-be,” Cr Dunn said.
The agencies involved in producing the program consulted with young mums to devise the best possible resource.
“They were asked about their experience to ensure the information contained was relevant and useful,” Cr Dunn said.
The results were that many of the young mums felt unsure about where to go to get information during their pregnancy and wanted information presented in a non-judgemental way.
The development of “Hey BABE…what if you’re pregnant” was funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Department of Human Services under the Best Start and Public Health programs.
Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand will launch “Hey BABE …” at Montrose Town Centre at 10.15am on Tuesday 8 April.