St Andrew's-Ipswich Private Hospital

24/12/2025

🎄 Season’s Greetings 🎄
Thank you to every family who has shared their journey with us this year.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a bright, happy New Year in 2026. ✨

27/11/2025

The mental load in early parenthood is real and it’s heavy.

🧠 Remembering appointments
🧦 Keeping up with the washing
📅 Managing visitors and meal prep
📱 Googling things at 2am

If your brain feels full, that’s not failure, it’s a sign you’re carrying too much alone.

This Perinatal Mental Health Week, we’re reminding new parents:

💬 It’s ok to ask for help
📢 It’s ok to say no
📞 It’s ok to talk to someone

Start with your partner, your GP, your midwife or call PANDA on 1300 726 306 for free support.
You are doing a great job. You also deserve support.

25/11/2025

Up to 1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads experience perinatal anxiety or depression.
You might feel:

💭 Constant worry
💤 Exhausted but unable to sleep
😞 Numb, sad or tearful
⚡ Easily overwhelmed

You are not failing. You are not alone.

This Perinatal Mental Health Week, let’s make space for real conversations – and remind each other that support is available.

Start by talking to your GP, midwife or maternal child health nurse.

Helpful resources:
• PANDA
• COPE
• Ramsay Mental Health
• Your Ramsay maternity team

19/11/2025

Pre eclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy marked by high blood pressure and possible organ impact during pregnancy. Know the symptoms so you can seek help early:

⚠️Symptoms include:
• High blood pressure
Headaches that are difficult to treat or do not go away
• Swelling in hands, face or feet
• Blurred or changed vision or light sensitivity
• Upper belly pain or nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden weight/fluid gain

Reporting these early are essential.

Talk to your midwife or obstetrician if you notice any of these signs—or if you’ve had high blood pressure before or are expecting multiples.

It is also possible to have pre-eclampsia without symptoms, so if you have questions or you are concerned, contact your midwife or obstetrician.

It is also possible to have pre-eclampsia without symptoms, so if you have questions or you are concerned, contact your midwife or obstetrician.

Early detection = safer pregnancy for you and bub.

16/11/2025

🌸 Today we recognise World Prematurity Day – a time to raise awareness of the 1 in 10 babies born prematurely worldwide, and to acknowledge the strength of these tiny fighters and their families.

At Ramsay Health Care, our maternity teams work closely with highly skilled neonatologists, neonatal nurses, paediatricians and midwives to provide specialised care for babies who need a little extra support at the start of life.

To all the parents navigating the journey of premature birth – we see your strength, resilience and love. 💜

13/11/2025

Babies feed for many reasons: hunger, comfort, growth. It’s common for newborns to feed 8 to 12 times per 24 hours.

✅ Feeding cues may include stirring, rooting, hands to mouth. Don’t wait for crying

🕰 Some feeds are quick. Some are long. Some are close together.

Following your baby’s cues (instead of the clock) helps establish a healthy milk supply and supports responsive feeding.

12/11/2025

We recently invested in new technology allowing us to offer advanced brain surgery right here in Ipswich. Neurosurgeon's like Dr Sarah Olson, featured in The Chronicle this week, are using this new system to give regional patients life-changing care closer to their family and community. For 33-year-old father of four Corey Jackwitz, it meant he could have a complex brain tumour removed safely in Ipswich, remaining close to his loved ones who visited each day.

A splitting headache, a shock diagnosis, and a baby on the way. For the first time, complex brain surgery is being performed west of Brisbane – easing one regional father’s daunting health journey. STORY 👉 https://bit.ly/47FyyPO

11/11/2025

This Remembrance Day, we take a moment to honour and remember the courage, service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served our country.

Lest we forget.

10/11/2025

CMV is a common virus that’s usually harmless but if it’s caught during pregnancy, it may affect your baby’s hearing or development. Simple hygiene steps can help keep you and your bub safe:

• Wash hands thoroughly for ≥ 15 seconds after handling children, nappies or dummies
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, utensils or kisses on the lips with young children
• Clean toys, bottles and surfaces regularly

Routine CMV testing isn’t standard in Australia, but if you work with young children or feel unwell, talk to your midwife or obstetrician about screening

Prevention is powerful. These steps help reduce the risk so you can focus on growing your family, safely.

07/11/2025

There’s no perfect way to give birth or feed your baby.

At Ramsay, we offer guidance, not pressure, so you can make informed choices that feel right for you and your baby.

Whether you’re hoping for an unmedicated birth or an elective caesarean, our team is here to support your journey.

28/10/2025

They say it takes a village – and it really does.
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re not coping. It means you’re human.

💛 Ask your partner to share the feeding routine. Nappy changes and burping can take time during feeding too.
💛 Say yes when someone offers to cook
💛 Let a friend hold your baby while you shower
💛 Reach out when you need to talk

Let’s normalise leaning on others. You deserve rest, support and connection.

24/10/2025

The first few weeks after birth can feel like a blur of feeding, crying, and adjusting. Here’s what’s normal to expect:

🩸 Vaginal bleeding (lochia) that tapers over a few weeks
💧 Breast fullness or leaking as milk comes in
😢 Emotional ups and downs – especially in week one
😖 Afterpains or cramps
🤰 A postpartum belly – recovery takes time

Every body recovers differently. If something doesn’t feel right, check in with your GP or midwife. There’s no such thing as a silly question.