Women & Family Health Services

Your health and wellbeing is vitally important, and we know that sometimes it's hard to prioritise yourself amongst work, family, friends, commitments and obligations.

Our multidiscplinary team of Exercise Physiologists, Dietitians, Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists are here to help you. Whether it's infertility, weight concerns, stress, depression, allergies, your children's health, menopause or other conditions, we work together to improve your health and wellbeing, giving you back control in your life.

Our team of of experts can help you through all phases of your life;

Preconception
Pregnancy
Post-Natal
Infants & Children
Menopause
Other Family Health issues

Preconception

Fertility

One in 6 couples will have difficulty falling pregnant. Many of the causes of infertility can be improved with lifestyle and food changes. In fact, studies have shown that in overweight infertile women who have had a weight loss of 5-10% resulted in improved hormone profiles, including ovulation. Even simple changes in diet that improve vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, fat and carbohydrates are showing benefits in fertility. Including some regular exercise to your daily routine can assist in losing weight and improving fertility - both in men and women. Come and see our Dietitian & Exercise Physiology for advice in nutrition, exercise and improving fertility.

Few couples are prepared for the diagnosis of infertility, and for most, this will be one of the greatest challenges they face together.

The initial diagnosis of infertility affects people in different ways, and the way each person manages such a diagnosis depends on their coping strategies and support base. Couples embark on a journey of hope, uncertainty, loss, grief and stress, involving reassessment of their life plans and expectations.

Whatever the cause, infertility is considered a life crisis and like any crisis a couple will need support, compassion, care, counseling, a listening ear, helpful and accurate advice and understanding. Each individual experiencing infertility approaches it and deals with it in different ways. Everyone needs the chance to tell their story, not only to help other people but also to understand for themselves what they have just been through.

Infertility affects about 15% of Australia couples with a wide variety of causes such as:

Ovulation Disorders or Hormonal Imbalances
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Endometriosis
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Diabetes Mellitus
STDs
Uterus and cervical disorders (eg Fibroids)
Immunological factors
Sperm Disorders & Dysfunction
Physical damage
Environmental
Lifestyle
Autoimmune Diseases (eg Hasimotos Disease or Coeliac Disease)
Age

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Around 7% of women have PCOS and it can cause a number of conditions like acne, excessive hair growth, irregular periods, infertility, insulin resistance, overweight, high cholesterol, gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The role of nutrition and exercise is important in the management of PCOS. Carbohydrates and fats are priorities in PCOS management. Our Dietitian will guide you through the biochemistry and nutrition therapy involved in managing your PCOS. Our Exercise Physiologist will focus predominantly on managing your health through structured exercise. Exercise has been shown to assist in weight loss, lowering blood pressure, & cholesterol, and also in managing your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes.

Pregnancy

Whether a pregnancy is planned, unplanned, or the result of infertility treatment, the antenatal period presents challenges for adjustment and preparation. All health and wellness aspects including nutrition and exercise during this period are important both to support a healthy pregnancy, and to prepare a woman for the demands of the postnatal period.

Nutrition is an important aspect to a healthy pregnancy. A developing baby can benefit greatly with good nutrition supplied through the mother’s food intake. There are studies showing a connection between dietary fats and baby’s brain development. Other issues during pregnancy that may require nutritional intervention include gestational diabetes, vegetarian diet and weight control. Our Dietitian can give you a healthy eating guide, listeria information and any other guidance you may need for a healthy pregnancy.

Nourishing yourself with nutritional foods is so important during pregnancy and is often neglected. The benefit of good nutrition during pregnancy is not often a tangible thing but research is clearly showing links between the mother's nutrition during pregnancy and the child's development.

Eat regularly - small meals and snacks. Plan your day so that you always have nutritious snacks with you such as almonds, dried apricots, dired apple, sultanas, pretzels, dry breakfast cereal, fruit biscuits, fresh fruit.
Drink water - reduce caffeine, soft drinks and fruit juices.
Take a pregnancy multi-vitamin and omega-3 supplements every day.
Have 3 serves of dairy each day.
Get 20 minutes of sunshine and fresh air each day.
Try to get 30g of fibre per day from vegetables, legumes, fruit, wholegrain breads and cereals.

For more information on our Dietetic services click here.

Exercise

There is much supported evidence confirming that exercise is beneficial to the pregnant woman and her unborn child. The benefits of participating in a prenatal exercise regime includes – improved aerobic capacity, muscular strength, maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight, increased energy levels, and faster recovery from labour. It is well documented that during pregnancy women can participate in regular, mild to moderate levels of exercise. It is advisable that you discuss your own personal situation with your treating health practitioner before commencing any type of exercise program. If you are looking to start exercising whilst pregnant, I would suggest waiting until you are at least 14 weeks gestation, obtain medical consent and start slowly.

There are many types of exercise that women can participate in during pregnancy and after giving birth. These include aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling and swimming. Many women also choose low-level exercise classes like yoga and Pilates, which focus on breathing and strengthening the pelvic region. If you are interested in keeping well ‘toned’ during pregnancy and want to regain your pre-pregnancy body shape after birth, resistance exercise is another type of exercise you can try. It is recommended that you have a qualified professional, like an Exercise Physiologist to prescribe your program to ensure it is tailored to your individual needs and special considerations made for pregnancy or post-birth.

If you are looking to keep fit and healthy during your Pregnancy why not join our Pregnancy Fitness Classes or if you are looking for a more relaxed fitness class try our Pilates

Call our centre today on 1300 881 536 if you wish to book a consultation with our Dietitian or Exercise Physiologist

Pregnancy Massage

Why not treat yourself to a massage during your Pregnancy. Our recommendation is that you wait until you are at least 14 weeks gestation before enjoying the benefits of massage to help ease back, pelvis and sacro-iliac pain often experienced during pregnancy, which are due to the hormones causing muscles to relax and prepare for birth. Massage is a great way to relax, take some stress off your lower back and even help in managing those aches and pains associated with Pregnancy. For more information on Pregnancy massage click here.

Post-Natal

For most new mothers, the postnatal period presents the joyful culmination of all their hopes and expectations. Yet the arrival of a new baby is both a wonderful miracle and a period of adjustment characterised by significant life changes. Sleepless nights, painful breasts, disruption of family routines, loss of lifestyle, body changes, hormones, and disrupted siblings are all part of the package. Yet, most new mothers proceed through these challenges tired, but otherwise unscathed.

We offer a variety of services to assist you transition into your new role as a 'mum';

Dietetic Services
Mums & Bubs Fitness Classes
Personal Training
Infant Massage Course

For more information on our Dietetic services click here.

Exercise is also an important after having a baby. Exercise can help aid recovery of pelvic floor muscles, toning the tummy and improving energy levels. If you are interested in regaining your pre-pregnancy body shape and weight after having your baby, we suggest you wait until you have had your 6 week obstetrics review and discuss your intentions with your treating health practitioner before starting any exercise regime. It is recommended that you have a qualified professional, like an Exercise Physiologist to prescribe your program to ensure it is tailored to your individual needs and special considerations made for pregnancy or post-birth.

We have many different exercise options available to mums wanting to regain their pre-pregnancy body shape. You can choose from one of our fitness classes - Pilates, Functional Fitness, Boxing Fitness or Mums & Bubs or why not try some one on one private training with one of our Accredited Exercise Physiologists.

Our Accredited Exercise Physiologist's focus on the areas most affected by pregnancy and childbirth;

Pelvic floor stabilization,
Abdominal recovery,
Flexibility,
Back & arm strength,
Muscle toning,
Fat burning,
Cardiovascular fitness.

Infants & Children

Infant Nutrition

There is so much advice given about infant nutrition and it can be confusing to know what is accurate or what is right for your baby, so see a professional for nutritional advice like Accredited Practising Dietitians. Our qualified Dietitians have the latest evidence-based information about infant feeding. These include reflux, eosinophilic oesophagitis, cow’s milk protein allergy, other allergies and intolerances, poor growth and weaning.

Children’s Health

Feeding children can be tricky at times and we are here to help. In addition to allergies and intolerances you may need assistance in fussy eating, sensory-sensitivity affecting eating, poor growth, overweight, constipation, insulin resistance or diabetes. If you need ideas for the lunchbox, we are here to help.

Children's Fitness & Coordination

Our Accredited Exercise Physiologists are highly skilled in being able to prescribed individualised exercise programs for children with issues such as poor coordination, low muscle tone, poor posture, and many other health issues such as child obesity, type 1 diabetes, chronic fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders to name a few.

We make our exercise programs fun so that the children do not think they are completing exercise. We utilise a variety of exercise tools such as fitballs, light hand weights, skipping ropes and light weighted balls. Our exercise programs offer a lot of variety in the form of exercises that assist in improving fine motor skills, coordination and flexibility.

Children's Weight Management

Our Accredited & Practising Dietitian & Accredited Exercise Physiologist work together to assist you in helping manage your child's obesity issues. Our services are discreet and private, and our staff are well trained in ensuring you and your child do not feel intimidated or embarressed. Our team are compassionate and motivated to assist you improve your child's health, no matter what their weight management issue is.

Infant Massage

Many parents and grandparents have discovered the many benefits of infant massage to help their baby settle, sleep better, minimise crying and relieve many common problems such as wind, colic, constipation, reflux and eczema. Infant massage has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of post-natal depression in some new mums.

In our 4 week Infant Massage course you will learn the correct massage techniques from our Qualified Infant Massage Instructor. You will learn the significant differences between massage for adults and massage for babies. You will also learn the ideal timing and length of massage to avoid overstimulating your baby. You will also learn what are the right oils to use on your baby and handouts will be provided with the various massage strokes to use.

The benefits of completing an Infant Massage course include;

improves your baby's sleep & regulates their sleep pattern,
reduces crying time,
enhances the baby's emotions and improves their mood,
relieves common baby symptoms such as wind, colic, reflux and constipation in a natural way,
relieves sinua and chest congestion in a sick baby,
boosts a baby's immune system,
reduces stress hormones levels in both the baby and their parents/grandparents,
reduce the symptoms of Eczema,
improves a baby's coordination, and is
ideal for pre-term babies.

Learning infant massage from a professional is a gift for life!

Cost for our 4 week Infant Massage is $200 and includes oil, handouts and a t-shirt for your baby when you complete the course.

Gift vouchers are available - which make a perfect gift for expecting or new parents. Email or call us on 1300 881 536 to purchase your Infant Massage gift voucher now.

For more information about infant massage please visit http://www.infantmassage-imis.com.au

Menopause

Information about our Dietetic and Exercise Physiology services for Menopause coming soon. Please email or call us on 1300 881 536 to discuss your particular situation.

Other Family Health Services

Food Allergies & Intolerances

In recent years, food allergies and intolerances have been on the increase. We can help you unravel the mystery of food allergies and intolerances. If you need to undertake an elimination diet, our qualified Dietitians can help you through it. There are many substances that people suffer with allergies or intolerances to like nuts, soy, seafood, egg, lactose, milk protein, gluten, fructose, salicylates, amines, glutamates, preservatives, colours or flavours. Reactions to these substances may be IgE mediated (eg rash or difficulty breathing) or Non-IgE mediated (eg sleep problems, gut problems or mood/behaviour changes). Please see your doctor if you suspect a food allergy or intolerance and then see us for dietary management of your condition.

FODMAPs

FODMAPs are found in the foods we eat. FODMAPs is an acronym (abbreviation) referring to Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols*.

These are complex names for a collection of molecules found in food, that can be poorly absorbed by some people. When the molecules are poorly absorbed in the small intestine of the digestive tract, these molecules then continue along their journey along the digestive tract, arriving at the large intestine, where they act as a food source to the bacteria that live there normally. The bacteria then digest/ferment these FODMAPs and can cause symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include abdominal bloating and distension, excess wind (flatulence), abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both), and other gastro-intestinal symptoms (source: www.shepherdworks.com.au)

Our Dietitians are trained in FODMAPs - please email or call 1300 881 536 to discuss your individual needs.