A NEW holistic approach to women and children’s health has opened its doors in Berwick in February and it is already proving to be popular among local families.
GLOW is a unique and original concept to help ensure the emotional health and wellbeing of mothers, fathers, infants and families.
Owners and perinatal psychiatrists Dr Adaobi Udechuku and Dr Lucinda Smith have both worked in perinatal mental health in Berwick and have seen the demand for such services grow beyond what is available.
“There are long waiting periods to access a psychiatrist, psychologist or early parenting assistance for example and very limited services with specific perinatal expertise. Long delays to access care can be particularly distressing for women, their babies and families, and is far from ideal at this crucial time of life. The need is only going to continue growing along this growth corridor with so many new families moving into the area and the expansion of St John of God Berwick maternity services in 2017,” Dr Udechuku and Dr Smith said.
“We had a vision to create a unique clinic that would meet the community’s need and provide a comprehensive, holistic suite of services in the one place, thus making it easy for families to access a whole range of services.
“It is the only service of its type that we are aware of in Victoria, if not Australia.”
Glow offers a range of unique services including infant massage classes, child psychology, couple and family counselling, lactation consultations and yoga, just to name a few.
“From a wellness and health promotion perspective diet and nutrition is covered by our accredited practicing dietitian Konsita Kuswara; our yoga teachers Rachel Foster and Stephanie Williams provide specialised perinatal yoga classes (antenatal, post natal and mums and bubs) and Lauren Gould our myotherapist offers specialised pregnancy and remedial massage and infant massage classes.
“Preparation for parenting and early parenting support is available though our midwives Louise Paterson and Helen Gordon who provide antenatal care, antenatal classes focussing on preparation for parenthood and postnatal care including home visits.
“Six weeks post delivery, further parenting support is available via Mary Smart our lactation consultant who provides individual appointments and group sessions, and our early parenting consultants Heidi Shaw and Nicole Bennett who visit families in their home to assist with common problems such as sleep/settling, infant routines and toddler behaviour.
“Emotional health and wellbeing is supported with our perinatal psychologists Sofia Galgut and Belinda Freake and psychiatrists Adaobi Udechuku and Lucinda Smith assist both mothers and fathers with antenatal and postnatal anxiety and depression, adjustment to parenting, parent infant bonding difficulties. We also offer child psychology and couples and family counselling. Our perinatal psychiatrists are experts in assisting women who may need mental health medications during pregnancy and offer medication advice to obstetricians and general practitioners.
“Infants and pre-schooler’s health is well catered for by our paediatrician Dr Jesuina Noronha who has specialist training and expertise in neonates and child neurodevelopment.”
It has only been open for a short time, but the feedback from the community has been extremely positive.
“From the website we worked long and hard on, to the ambiance of our beautiful space, to the care with which we have handpicked our welcoming staff and team around us, all aspects have been positively received.”
For more information visit glowclinic.com.au
