SWSPHN Antenatal Shared Care Program
Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC) is an option offered to all pregnant women who are assessed as suitable for the program. Care is provided collaboratively by the general practitioner (GP) and the hospital-based service.
The ANSC program aims to:
- Provide pregnant women with flexibility, choice, and continuity of care
- Cater for the preferences and needs of women from culturally and diverse backgrounds
- Enhance the skills of GPs caring for women during pregnancy
- Promote communication between GPs and the participating hospitals
To provide ANSC to pregnant women who are giving birth in South Western Sydney Local Health District hospitals, GPs must be recognised as an ANSC provider. To become a recognised provider, a GP completes the application and attends a mandatory ANSC orientation session.
To maintain ANSC recognition GPs must complete 3 hours of pregnancy-related continuous professional development (CPD) each year. Evidence of CPD attendance is to be provided to SWSPHN.
CPD hours can be recorded across different types of activities. To ensure the relevance of any external CPD, please consult the list of eligible ANSC topics.
The February 2025 issue of the Baby Monitor is now available
Issue 24 of the Baby Monitor, the SWSPHN Antenatal Shared Care newsletter, is now available to download. You can access it here or from the newsletter folder in the documents section.
Quick Link to HealthPathways
Maternity service phone numbers by hospital
Contacts | Bankstown | Bowral | Campbelltown | Camden | Fairfield | Liverpool |
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ANC fax | 9722 8398 | 4861 0187 | 4634 4700 | 4654 6170 | 9616 8521 | 8738 3216 |
ANC phone | 9722 8333 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4963 | 4654 6222 | 9616 8507 | 8738 4197 |
Booking no. | 9722 8333 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4963 | 4654 6222 | 9616 8507 | 8738 4197 |
Birthing Unit | 9722 7870 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4099 | 9616 8260 | 8738 5626 | |
Genetics Clinic | 8738 4665 (district-wide service) | |||||
GP Liaison Midwife | 0484 627 228 or 0402 792 820 | |||||
Pregnancy Complications | ||||||
<20/40 | ED or EPAS 9722 8333 | ED | ED or EPAS 4634 4724 / 0437 963 828 | ED | ED or EPAS 8738 5632 | |
> 40 | Birthing Unit | |||||
For urgent, referral contact the Birthing Unit. For advice, contact the ANSC Liaison midwife |
Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC) is an option offered to all pregnant women who are assessed as suitable for the program. Care is provided collaboratively by the general practitioner (GP) and the hospital-based service.
The ANSC program aims to:
- Provide pregnant women with flexibility, choice, and continuity of care
- Cater for the preferences and needs of women from culturally and diverse backgrounds
- Enhance the skills of GPs caring for women during pregnancy
- Promote communication between GPs and the participating hospitals
To provide ANSC to pregnant women who are giving birth in South Western Sydney Local Health District hospitals, GPs must be recognised as an ANSC provider. To become a recognised provider, a GP completes the application and attends a mandatory ANSC orientation session.
To maintain ANSC recognition GPs must complete 3 hours of pregnancy-related continuous professional development (CPD) each year. Evidence of CPD attendance is to be provided to SWSPHN.
CPD hours can be recorded across different types of activities. To ensure the relevance of any external CPD, please consult the list of eligible ANSC topics.
The February 2025 issue of the Baby Monitor is now available
Issue 24 of the Baby Monitor, the SWSPHN Antenatal Shared Care newsletter, is now available to download. You can access it here or from the newsletter folder in the documents section.
Quick Link to HealthPathways
Maternity service phone numbers by hospital
Contacts | Bankstown | Bowral | Campbelltown | Camden | Fairfield | Liverpool |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANC fax | 9722 8398 | 4861 0187 | 4634 4700 | 4654 6170 | 9616 8521 | 8738 3216 |
ANC phone | 9722 8333 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4963 | 4654 6222 | 9616 8507 | 8738 4197 |
Booking no. | 9722 8333 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4963 | 4654 6222 | 9616 8507 | 8738 4197 |
Birthing Unit | 9722 7870 | 4861 0224 | 4634 4099 | 9616 8260 | 8738 5626 | |
Genetics Clinic | 8738 4665 (district-wide service) | |||||
GP Liaison Midwife | 0484 627 228 or 0402 792 820 | |||||
Pregnancy Complications | ||||||
<20/40 | ED or EPAS 9722 8333 | ED | ED or EPAS 4634 4724 / 0437 963 828 | ED | ED or EPAS 8738 5632 | |
> 40 | Birthing Unit | |||||
For urgent, referral contact the Birthing Unit. For advice, contact the ANSC Liaison midwife |
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NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns- 'Policy in a Pinch'
Share NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns- 'Policy in a Pinch' on Facebook Share NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns- 'Policy in a Pinch' on Twitter Share NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns- 'Policy in a Pinch' on Linkedin Email NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns- 'Policy in a Pinch' link -
SWSLHD Vitamin D & Pregnancy 'Policy in a Pinch'
Share SWSLHD Vitamin D & Pregnancy 'Policy in a Pinch' on Facebook Share SWSLHD Vitamin D & Pregnancy 'Policy in a Pinch' on Twitter Share SWSLHD Vitamin D & Pregnancy 'Policy in a Pinch' on Linkedin Email SWSLHD Vitamin D & Pregnancy 'Policy in a Pinch' linkSWSLHD has released a district-wide policy guideline on Vitamin D Screening and Management for pregnancy. The below is a summary only and the full policy guideline should be revised. The full policy is found here in the 'Protocols, Policies and Guidelines' folder.
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Birthing on Country: What does birthing on country mean to you?
Share Birthing on Country: What does birthing on country mean to you? on Facebook Share Birthing on Country: What does birthing on country mean to you? on Twitter Share Birthing on Country: What does birthing on country mean to you? on Linkedin Email Birthing on Country: What does birthing on country mean to you? linkFeaturing interviews filmed during the Best Start to Life 2022 National Gathering at Mparntwe (Alice Springs) alongside breath-taking Australian landscapes, this educational documentary explores the many meanings of Birthing on Country.
The video 'What does birthing on country mean to you?' has been developed through the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre. For more information on birthing on Country and other work developed through the Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, visit: Birthing on Country or Charles Darwin University.
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NEW online learning module: Introduction to Syphilis for Clinicians providing antenatal care // NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns Guideline
Share NEW online learning module: Introduction to Syphilis for Clinicians providing antenatal care // NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns Guideline on Facebook Share NEW online learning module: Introduction to Syphilis for Clinicians providing antenatal care // NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns Guideline on Twitter Share NEW online learning module: Introduction to Syphilis for Clinicians providing antenatal care // NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns Guideline on Linkedin Email NEW online learning module: Introduction to Syphilis for Clinicians providing antenatal care // NSW Health Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns Guideline linkOver the last year, there has been considerable discussion around the rise in syphilis cases in New South Wales, and more broadly across Australia. Clinicians have seen Safety Alerts released via the Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) outlining the need to increase syphilis screening during pregnancy, and education via South West Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN) targeting syphilis and congenital syphilis. NSW Health has now released a formal guideline for Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns. To support the policy guideline, the AHSM has developed a 1-hour online module for clinicians who provide antenatal care.
To access the online learning module, simply click the image below and register.
In August, a webinar event was recorded on the topic. Dr Chris Carmody (Staff Specialist for Sexual Health at Liverpool Hospital), Dr Michelle Dunn (Maternal Fetal Medicine Subspecialty Trainee- Liverpool Hospital) and Cherie Bennet (Clinical Nurse Consultant) from AHSM presented information and case studies on the topics of syphilis and congenital syphils. The video can be viewed below or via the SWSPHN Youtube channel.
The link for the online module will continue to be available via the online CPD tab within the ANSC Healthchat. Additionally, the link to the policy guideline will also continue to be available via the Protocols, Policies and Guidelines tab.
The gold standard resource for perinatal infecion management is the current edition of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) guidelines Management of Perinatal Infections.
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Virtual Event: Substance Use in Pregnancy Service
Share Virtual Event: Substance Use in Pregnancy Service on Facebook Share Virtual Event: Substance Use in Pregnancy Service on Twitter Share Virtual Event: Substance Use in Pregnancy Service on Linkedin Email Virtual Event: Substance Use in Pregnancy Service link -
Safer Baby Bundle Update
Share Safer Baby Bundle Update on Facebook Share Safer Baby Bundle Update on Twitter Share Safer Baby Bundle Update on Linkedin Email Safer Baby Bundle Update linkAccording to the Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence (Stillbirth CRE) the stillbirth rate in Australia is higher than other top performing countries . In many cases stillbirth is preventable and research shows 20-30% of late gestation stillbirths could be avoided with better care , which has led to the Stillbirth CRE to develop a national initiative with five evidence-based elements to address key areas where improved practice can reduce the number of stillborn babies . The Safer Baby Bundle (SBB) consists of 5 target areas which can be modified in order to reduce the risk of stillbirth :
General Practitioners (GP) are well placed to be:
initiating early risk assessments for FGR,
providing counsel and support for women identified as requiring smoking cessation advice and referral,
providing education to women about normal fetal movements, when to be concerned and what to do when concerned regarding fetal movements.
Provide education around safe maternal sleeping positions such as side sleeping during pregnancy.
The SBB online modules are compulsory for ANSC Recognised Providers. The modules include resource videos for clinicians as well as resources and waiting room videos. A short, GP specific video has been developed- click to watch.
The video below is a recent update from the Stillbirth CRE regarding the SBB progress.
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ALERT: Safety notice STREP A in paediatric and pregnancy populations
Share ALERT: Safety notice STREP A in paediatric and pregnancy populations on Facebook Share ALERT: Safety notice STREP A in paediatric and pregnancy populations on Twitter Share ALERT: Safety notice STREP A in paediatric and pregnancy populations on Linkedin Email ALERT: Safety notice STREP A in paediatric and pregnancy populations link -
Smoking Cessation- The Quit for New Life Program
Share Smoking Cessation- The Quit for New Life Program on Facebook Share Smoking Cessation- The Quit for New Life Program on Twitter Share Smoking Cessation- The Quit for New Life Program on Linkedin Email Smoking Cessation- The Quit for New Life Program link -
ALERT: Group A streptococcus in pregnant women
Share ALERT: Group A streptococcus in pregnant women on Facebook Share ALERT: Group A streptococcus in pregnant women on Twitter Share ALERT: Group A streptococcus in pregnant women on Linkedin Email ALERT: Group A streptococcus in pregnant women linkSWSLHD wishes to bring to the attention of GPs providing antenatal care the incidence of positive Group A streptococcus cases amongst pregnant women in South West Sydney.
Linked below is a recent Safety Notice from NSW Health relating to Maternal sepsis due to invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS) cases with considerations for newborns and peripartum women. Group A streptococcus infections amongst antenatal and postpartum women can cause rapid deterioration.
If identified, transfer to hospital for rapid and aggressive treatment is required. Please consider signs and symptoms if you have unwell pregnant or postnatal women presenting to your practice.
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Rethinking Prenatal Screening- a free CPD Event
Share Rethinking Prenatal Screening- a free CPD Event on Facebook Share Rethinking Prenatal Screening- a free CPD Event on Twitter Share Rethinking Prenatal Screening- a free CPD Event on Linkedin Email Rethinking Prenatal Screening- a free CPD Event linkCLOSED: This discussion has concluded.Accessibility to non-invasive prenatal testing is changing in South West Sydney.
Expert presenters will engage and inform GPs and obstetricians about the upcoming changes to prenatal testing within South West Sydney Local Health District at this free event. Click the image to register.
NIPT – how it works and potential pitfalls in screening. Professor Jon Hyett
NIPT Technologies – Value of SNPs. Mark Hajjar
Integrating NIPT into first trimester pregnancy assessment. A/Professor Indika Alahakoon
Plans for first trimester pregnancy assessment in SWSLHD. Prof Jon Hyett
The value of carrier screening: US experience. Mark Hajjar
Jon Hyett is a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Western Sydney University, and Clinical Academic Specialist, Obstetrics and Materno-Fetal Medicine, Liverpool Hospital and South Western Sydney Local Health District
Indika Alahakoon is a Clinical Assoc. Professor in MFM - Fetal Medicine University of Sydney, Senior Staff Specialist - Westmead Hospital, Consultant Obstetrician and Sonologist - Centre for Women’s Ultrasound Westmead and Bella Vista
Mark Hajjar is a Medical Science Liaison with Natera, USA.
Click on the image to register for this event.
The event is sponsored by Natera, the NIPT service under agreement with NSW Health and SWSLHD. CPD should be self recorded for this event.
Program Contacts
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Phone 0484 627 228 Email SWSLHD-CMCGPSC@health.nsw.gov.au -
Phone 0402792820 Email swslhd-cmcgpsc@health.nsw.gov.au
Documents
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ANSC
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06062023_FINAL_ANSC Guidelines 2023.pdf (988 KB) (pdf)
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ANSC Protocol (Quickguide)- updated June 2023 (537 KB) (pdf)
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Full Inclusion and Exclusion List- ACM based- April 2022 (1.18 MB) (pdf)
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ANSC Quick List Exclusion criteria V2 -updated April 2022- (617 KB) (pdf)
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2023 Antenatal Clinic by Postcode (July 2023) (690 KB) (pdf)
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COVID19 ANSC GP Guidelines V5.0.pdf (179 KB) (pdf)
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Resolving Feedback for a SWS ANSC Provider V1.0.pdf (713 KB) (pdf)
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Eligible CPD Topics for Antenatal Shared Care Recognition.pdf (83.6 KB) (pdf)
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Protocols, Policies, and Guidelines
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*NEW* Maternity Policy- Vitamin D Screening (159 KB) (pdf)
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NSW Health: Syphilis in Pregnancy and Newborns
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Aspirin Guidelines (159 KB) (pdf)
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COVID-19 Vaccinations and Pregnancy
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SWSLHD GDM Policy October 2020 (451 KB) (pdf)
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Clinical Guidelines for the management of substance use during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period
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Updated referral guidelines to Antenatal Services at Bowral Hospital (223 KB) (pdf)
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ACM Consultation and Referral Guidelines 4th Ed (1).pdf (784 KB) (pdf)
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MoH care pathway for women concerned about fetal movements GL2021_019.pdf (869 KB) (pdf)
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Identification and management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum (373 KB) (pdf)
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PUQE-24_SCORE.pdf (125 KB) (pdf)
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Thyroid disease in pregnancy.pdf (218 KB) (pdf)
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Measurement-of-cervical-length-for-prediction-of-preterm-birth-(C-Obs-27)_Board-approved-March-2022.pdf (336 KB) (pdf)
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Lactation and Infant Feeding Guidelines and Resources
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Tongue Tie Referral Agents 2024 (192 KB) (pdf)
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Referral forms
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Baby Monitor Newsletters
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Resources
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Cervical Screening Information for Antenatal Shared Care Programs 2024 (1.06 MB) (pdf)
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Management of Perinatal Infections- 3rd Ed- Australasian Society of Infectious Diseases
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BiMP Practice Poster- Arabic (345 KB) (pdf)
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BiMP Practice Poster- English (232 KB) (pdf)
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BiMP Practice Poster- Combined Language (420 KB) (pdf)
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BiMP- How to Guide for GP Practice (1.18 MB) (pdf)
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BiMP Practice Poster- Vietnamese (229 KB) (pdf)
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Liverpool Hospital Midwifery Group Practice Brochure (636 KB) (pdf)
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SWSLHD First Trimester Screening Brochure (919 KB) (pdf)
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Archived Resources
CPD Events
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29 May 2025
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19 June 2025
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31 July 2025
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12 August 2025
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16 September 2025
Eligible ANSC CPD activities
To ensure the relevance of any external CPD, please consult the list of approved ANSC topics below:
- Anueploidy and early pregnancy screening (including NIPT, NT, cFTS, Pre-eclampsia screening)
- Breastfeeding and infant feeding
- Early pregnancy complications (including miscarriage, molar, ectopic pregnancies, hyperemesis)
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypertension and preeclampsia in pregnancy
- Immediate postnatal period
- Immunisation schedule
- Labour and birth pain relief options in labour, non-pharmacological options for labour, positions for labour and birth, modes of birth, perineal tears and preventative strategies
- LGTBQIA: inclusivity for people having babies
- Medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) and contraception
- Newborn behaviours including sleep, settling, and safe sleeping
- Newborn check
- Preconception: genetic carrier screening, problem solving, assisted reproductive therapies, subfertility for women and men
- Psychosocial: mental health (anxiety and/or depression during pregnancy), domestic violence, homelessness amongst pregnant women, substance use
- Safety and exposure to medications during pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted infections and diseases and pregnancy impacts
- Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)/ Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Supporting women and families after a perinatal loss (miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death)
- Surviving the first six weeks
Online Eligible CPD Opportunities
- Antenatal Pertussis Vaccination
- Pre-pregnancy and care for women with diabetes
- First trimester screening in general practice
- Healthy Pregnancy Healthy Baby
- Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Maternity
- Mumbubvax
- Safer Baby Bundle
- RACGP: Maternity moments webinars: on demand
- Introduction to Syphilis for Clinicians Providing Antenatal Care
Videos
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Click here to play video Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis- how to test, treat and manage The Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis webinar was hosted and recorded by SWSPHN in 2023 following changes to the screening practices for syphilis during pregnancy. These changes were a result of an increasing rate of congenital syphilis across NSW and Australia, and an increase in syphilis cases amongst populations not previously categorised as high risk.
Consumer Resources
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English
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Movements Matter-Safer Baby Bundle (315 KB) (pdf)
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Side Sleeping- Safer Baby Bundle (989 KB) (pdf)
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Food Safety During Pregnancy (3.43 MB) (pdf)
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Antenatal Expressing (147 KB) (pdf)
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GBS pregnancy screening (1.53 MB) (pdf)
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Protecting your baby against influenza starts when you’re pregnant
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Whooping cough vaccine protect your baby (932 KB) (pdf)
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Arabic
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Movements Matter Arabic-Safer Baby Bundle (352 KB) (pdf)
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Side Sleeping Arabic- Safer Baby Bundle (249 KB) (pdf)
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Food Safety in Pregnancy- Arabic (524 KB) (pdf)
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Antenatal Expressing Arabic (144 KB) (pdf)
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GBS pregnancy screening Arabic (326 KB) (pdf)
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Protecting your baby against influenza starts when you’re pregnant- Arabic
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Whopping cough vaccine protect your baby - Arabic (875 KB) (pdf)
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Vietnamese
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Movements Matter Vietnamese- Safer Baby Bundle (371 KB) (pdf)
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Side Sleeping Vietnamese- Safer Baby Bundle (412 KB) (pdf)
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Food Safety in Pregnancy- Vietnamese (3.49 MB) (pdf)
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Antenatal Expressing Vietnamese (160 KB) (pdf)
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GBS pregnancy screening Vietnamese (343 KB) (pdf)
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Protecting your baby against influenza starts when you’re pregnant- Vietnamese
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Whopping cough vaccine protect your baby - Vietnamese (818 KB) (pdf)
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SWSPHN Antenatal patient resources