You and your baby have the right to be safe and supported during pregnancy.
Pregnancy is a time of massive change, especially for mums, and you probably have lots of questions. ASK is a safe place where you can get answers.
To give your baby a healthy start, it’s important to look after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally, by:
- eating healthy food
- avoiding alcohol and smoking
- going to your pregnancy appointments and check-ups
- having someone to talk to.
Sometimes difficult situations can make it harder to stay healthy when you’re pregnant — feeling alone, using drugs and alcohol, fighting with your partner or family, or being homeless.
You are not alone, and support is available to help you make positive changes for you and your baby.
It’s ok to ASK for help. ASK is a safe place.
Whether you’re a first-time mum, or dad, a co-parent, caregiver, or you’re welcoming another child into your family, people and services are ready to support you.
Information for you
Information about your choices, what happens during pregnancy and childbirth, and who to contact if you want support.
COPE aims to help you:
- reduce any emotional and mental health problems before your baby’s birth
- understand and nurture your emotional wellbeing and mental health after baby arrives
- address the emotional challenges of becoming a parent.
Phone 1300 740 398
The Families Growing Together program offers parents and carers a range of face-to-face workshops and online webinars to suit their parenting needs.
For Aboriginal families and communities, a co-design process is used to tailor the workshops.
- My Child and Me – a two-part workshop for parents of children aged 2–12 years
- Living with Young People – a two-part workshop for parents of children aged 12–18 years
- Growing and learning in the family — a two-part workshop to support parents to connect with their child through play
- Coping Skills – a two-part workshop exploring stress and resilience
Delivered in a relaxed and informal style, these workshops and webinars offer parents helpful information and a choice of simple, practical strategies based on the latest parenting research and using information from Parenting SA.
Workshops and webinars are all live and free and are designed to be interactive with videos, activities and time for parents to discuss information together in small groups or through the chat function.
Parenting SA provides the community with free quality information on raising children.
Parenting Easy Guides
Parent Easy Guides on a wide range of parenting topics from birth to 18 years including some specially designed for Aboriginal and migrant families.
The Early Years SA App is designed for the first five years of a child’s life. It allows families to:
- Source trusted and credible information,
- Filter by the child’s age,
- Record growth measurements for your child,
- Be notified about due dates for health and development checks, immunisations, dental check ups and school enrolment, and
- Connect with providers such as Child and Family Health Services, KidSafe, ForWhen and PANDA.
The app does not replace the Blue Book, which you will be provided with when your baby is born, but allows you to record or access more information to support you with your child.
Download the Early Years App from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Raising Children Network provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts
Free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information to help you and your family grow and thrive together, including:
Multiple Birth South Australia is a welcoming, inclusive community that celebrates with families the joy of a multiple birth, and understands the unique challenges experienced by those in a multiple birth family. They provide multiple birth families with practical support, including Home Help Service, free feeding pillow hire, webinars, events and a network of connections.
PANDA provides support and information to women and families affected by depression before or after the birth of a baby.
Phone 1300 726 306
Email info@panda.org.au
Services for you
Pregnant women wishing to make an antenatal (pre-birth) appointment must phone the Pregnancy SA Information Line (PSAIL) on 1300 368 820 available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Your call will be transferred to the hospital closest to where you live to talk about booking your first appointment. Further discussion about ongoing care and how you want to give birth will occur at the first visit.
SA Health operates the below public maternity hospitals.
- Women's and Children's Hospital
- Lyell McEwin Hospital
- Flinders Medical Centre
- Berri (Riverland General Hospital)
- Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service
- Port Lincoln Health Service
- Whyalla Hospital and Health Service
If you are interested in finding a private obstetrician or living in a regional area, you can discuss your options with your GP or health care provider.
Nunkuwarrin Yunti delivers culturally based health, social and emotional wellbeing services to build a healthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. It provides practical support in areas like health, dental, care of children, managing bills, housing and other matters.
There are offices at Elizabeth Downs and Wakefield Street in Adelaide.
Phone 8406 1600
Providing individual and group support before, during and after pregnancy and while you’re parenting. MY Health also has nurses, midwives, doctors and counsellors. MY Health is free and confidential for young people aged 12 to 25 years.
Angle Park office, phone 8243 5637
Christies Beach office, phone 8326 6053
Elizabeth office, phone 8255 3477
Talking Realities Young Parenting Program, phone 8243 5637
Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) supports all SA families with babies and kids 0 to 5 years. They have a focus on 0 to 3 years and can help you with:
- feeding, settling, children's milestones and development checks
- information and suggestions for parents and caregivers.
CaFHS Parent Helpline gives information and support over the phone to parents and carers of children from birth to five years.
Phone 1300 364 100
CaFHS Early Parenting Groups
Phone 1300 733 606
Early Parenting Groups in your area
Phone 8215 6700 (9.00 am to 9.00 pm)
The following services all accept self-referral:
Coolock House (Morphett Vale)
For young women up to 25 years, from southern suburbs and wider metropolitan Adelaide.
Phone 8412 9560
Email coolock@centacare.org.au.
Findon Family Housing (western suburbs)
For young families up to 25 years who are pregnant or parenting, and homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
Phone 0438 870 049
Hannah Place (Pooraka)
For young women up to 18 years.
Phone 8303 6670
Email hannahplace@centacare.org.au.
Louise Place (Fullarton)
Supported accommodation for young women 18 years and under (or 25 years and under if you are in your own place).
Phone 8412 9530
Email louiseplace@centacare.org.au.
Malvern Place (Northern Suburbs)
For young women up 25 years and at risk of homelessness. Northern suburbs and wider metropolitan Adelaide.
Phone 8359 1022
Email malvern@centacare.org.au.
Dad Business
Inclusive activities at Elizabeth Rise Shopping Centre for dads in the Playford area with children aged under 12.
Phone 8252 2311.
Anglicare SA Children and Families Services supports people from before birth to infancy, toddlers, school-age children, teenagers, young adults, and mums and dads to have strong relationships.
These centres offer a range of services bringing together education, health, community development activities and services for families.
Services may include:
- preschools
- long day care
- occasional care
- playgroup
- programs to support families with children from birth to school age.
Someone to talk to
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby supports parents and caregivers on the journey from pregnancy to preschool. You can chat with a maternal child health nurse for suggestions and guidance with pregnancy, birth, being a parent and raising a child.
Phone 1800 882 436 (7:30 am to 12:30 midnight)
Cultural differences when raising children
Our cultural background is an important part of who we are, and how we raise our kids. For some families, different cultural backgrounds can lead to different opinions.
Cultural differences when raising children
Phone 1800 882 436 (7:30 am to 12:30 midnight)
Pregnancy loss
Pregnancy loss can happen very quickly, and it can take time to make sense of what is happening. You will likely experience many different emotions, and there are people to support you through this time.
Phone 1800 882 436 (7:30 am to 12:30 midnight)
Parent Helpline South Australia is for parents of children 0 to 5 living in South Australia.
Phone 1300 364 100 (24-hour service)
Mensline Australia offers free professional telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationship, stress and wellbeing.
Phone 1300 78 99 78 (24-hour service)
Beyond Blue gives access to information and referral to relevant services for depression and anxiety-related matters (not a counselling service). Cost of a local call.
- Pregnancy and new parents information
- Advice for new dads
- Lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+), and bodily, gender and sexually diverse people
Phone 1300 22 4636 (24-hour service)
Online Forums for sharing your experiences and tips for staying well
Lifeline provides counselling for lots of different issues and referrals to services in your local community. Mobile phone calls are free. Online chat is available.
Phone 13 11 14 (24-hour service)
Text Lifeline (12 noon to 12 midnight)
Lifeline Online Chat (7.00 pm to 12 midnight)
If life is in danger, phone 000 (triple zero)