From the very first "I've got something to tell you", to the birth. Each weeks email includes information on:-

If you have just discovered you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, you will be faced with quite a number of decisions. The first is where you intend to have

your baby and the second is who will care for you and the baby before, during and after the birth. The level of care needed will depend on your particular circumstances. Care during pregnancy is known as antenatal care. Antenatal classes are run by hospitals, birthing centres, community health centres and midwives.

These classes can provide good insight into what to expect, along with helpful advice on staying healthy. Care after pregnancy is known as postnatal care. As a private patient you have the right to choose your own doctor. That doctor must have visiting rights to the hospital you wish to use. This will influence your choice of doctor and/or hospital. You should also ask for an estimate of the likely out of pocket expenses. And remember, just because you have private insurance, it doesn’t mean that you have to use it.

As a public patient in a public hospital you receive the same standard of care as a private patient in a public hospital. There are no ‘tiered service levels’ based on

whether or not you have private health cover. All patients private and public – have the same access to accident and emergency departments. Everyone is cared for equally in an emergency. However, there are some differences as a public patient:

• you don’t have a choice of doctor
• you don’t have a choice of room
• you won’t be charged any fees

If you are not a member of a private health fund there is normally a qualifying period before maternity cover is offered. In most cases you will need to be a member of the fund for at least three months before becoming pregnant.

In most cases you should, if you wish, be able to work through your pregnancy. However, there are certain circumstances where occupational health and safety issues

may prevent you from working in your normal role, if there is a risk to your health or the health of your baby.

If you are concerned, you should speak with your doctor and discuss the risks. You may also like to seek further information from the Australian Safety and Compensation Council on (02) 6121 5317 www.ascc.gov.au. See also the

Working Women’s Centre in your area – find the nearest centre at www.wwc.org.au

Note: There are also laws to guard against discrimination by an employer before, during or after your pregnancy. For more information about your rights and support available you may like to read the Federal Government’s booklet, Pregnancy at work. This publication has details about the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees during and after pregnancy and can be obtained at www.workplace.gov.au If you have any specific concerns about discrimination you should seek legal advice.

Setting up a nursery, choosing clothes and furniture can provide some of the most enjoyable times of pregnancy. It is also very easy to go overboard and buy expensive items that in some cases are rarely, if ever, used. Your first option is to speak to friends and family with children. They may not only have helpful advice but may also have items they no longer need. Rest assured, more times than not, babies and toddlers grow out of clothes before they wear them out!

You may find it cheaper to hire some items of nursery furniture you are unlikely to use long-term. For example,in some hospitals it is possible to hire the same bassinets used in the maternity ward. Often the baby is out of the bassinet and into a cot very quickly, so this could be a significant saving.

There is also a thriving business in second-hand baby clothes and furniture, with stores that sometimes offer large savings. However, you should ensure the items you buy meet Australian standards. In some cases meeting these standards is voluntary, however, it is illegal to sell or hire a new or second hand cot that does not meet the Australian standard (look for recognition on the label -AS/NZS 2172). Even if this is not your first child, a new addition will be a challenge.

Along with the joy (and exhaustion) there is a lot to be done. After all, your little bundle needs a name and the world needs to know he/she has arrived.If you are in hospital the nurses will provide a number of the forms you need to fill in. You should check to ensure that you have:

• registered the birth
• notified Medicare so your child is placed onyour card
• advised your private health insurer (if applicable)
• made an appointment with your local earlychildhood health centre
• been given a personal health record

The personal health record is a book which is provided to you when your child is born. This is often referred to as the ‘Blue Book’. Inside are spaces for doctors to provide details of immunisation and other health checks. It also includes important reminders about when your baby needs to see a doctor along with important contact details. You should take this personal health record with you each time you visit the doctor, hospital or early childhood health centre.

Federal legislation entitles (eligible) parents to a total of 52 weeks unpaid leave to care for their newborn or adopted baby. This leave must be taken on a shared basis and, apart from one week at the time of the birth, each parent must take their leave at different times. In most cases you should be entitled to return to the same position you held prior to taking leave. You can find details on eligibility and how you can apply for leave at www.workplace.gov.au. All the States and Territories, along with a number of industry-specific awards, deal with the issue of maternity

and parental leave, so you should contact your local department of employment and workplace relations.One thing to note is that you can’t add your State and

Federal entitlements together. For example, in NSW you can take up to 52 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, but you cannot take that leave and then apply for a further 52 weeks under the Federal legislation. Some awards and/or employers also provide for periods of paid maternity leave. You should check to see if you qualify.

Note: You can’t be forced to take maternity leave.

Your choice of childcare will obviously depend on your particular circumstances. Even when one parent has made the decision to stay home and care for the family, you may still need some help.

Your options include formal childcare centres, a nanny or more informal arrangements, such as family and close friends.

Depending on the centre, childcare is available from birth and there are strict rules in terms of environment and staff numbers. 04 – 05

Some things to consider when choosing a childcare centre include:

• what is the staff-to-child ratio? (Each State or Territory’s department of community services sets its own criteria. For example, in Victoria a licensed childcare provider must have a minimum of two staff on duty at all times, a ratio of one staff member for every five children under three years of age and one staff member for every 15 children over the age of three)
• how many children will attend the centre on any given day? (Again each State or Territory will have different rules)
• what are the costs? (Is there a requirement for your child to attend for a minimum number of days?)
• what government subsidies does the centre receive? (This may affect the fee structure)
• what are the centre’s hours?
• how does the centre deal with sick children?
• what activities does the centre run for the children? (Look for educational programs and specific activities for children of different ages)
• what age groupings are the children placed in?
• what types of meals are served? (Look for healthy and nutritious meals)
• what are the professional qualifications of the staff?
• (Are they all academically qualified, or are a few professionals supported by unqualified assistants?)
• visit the centre at different times of the day. (Are the children happy and enjoying themselves? Do children of different ages mix?)
• speak to other parents with children at the centre. (What are their experiences? Would they recommend the centre to their friends?)
• what is the current waiting list like? (For most centres, you need to place names on the waiting list well in advance of needing the childcare)
• For more specific information you can contact the following: • The National Childcare Accreditation Council is responsible for the implementation and administration of quality assurance systems for day care throughout Australia. If you would like information on choosing childcare providers or to check the accreditation details of a childcare provider, you can call 1300 136 554 or go to www.ncac.gov.au
• The Child Care Access Hotline is funded by the Federal Government and is designed to help you locate registered childcare providers. You can call the hotline on 1800 670 305.

The first thing to understand is that there is a big difference. A nanny is responsible for the care of the children and in most cases should have formal training and experience in childcare. The phrase ‘au pair’ is French and means equal to, this suggests the person becomes part of the family. In practice, an au pair is someone who wants to experience life in a foreign country in exchange for a place to stay and for a small allowance, will help look after the children and perhaps do some housework. In many cases the au pair will have no previous experience caring for children. If you are considering choosing a nanny you should know the industry is unregulated. You may choose to use an agency or search for the person yourself. If you do employ a full or part time nanny you will also be responsible for issues such as salary, insurance and superannuation. You may find it easier to use an agency that will handle all of this for you. In the end the most important question of all is; are you comfortable that you are getting the right person to care for your children?

Some things to consider include:

• previous experience and references
• formal qualifications including first aid qualifications
• has the person been checked by police in terms of working with children?
• if using an agency, how long has it been operating and what processes does it use to screen potential candidates?

The Australian Consumers Association has produced articles on choosing both an agency and a nanny.

You will find more information at www.choice.com.au

The Federal Government produces a helpful booklet called ‘Keeping Baby Safe’, which provides information on what to look for when buying baby goods. This booklet also provides tips on keeping your home safe once the nursery furniture is set up and can be accessed at www.consumer.gov.au

Along with having an extra mouth to feed, many families go from two incomes to one when their baby comes along. Even if that is not the case, babies and toddlers aren’t cheap and it doesn’t end when they go to school! Unless you manage to charge a hefty board, it’s more than likely your teenager will cost you a substantial amount as well.

Obviously the investment is more than outweighed by the joy and love they bring to your life. However, having a new baby is the ideal time to review your financial situation.Unfortunately, you are also likely to be tired, physically and emotionally, and generally have your hands full. That is why many important financial considerations are often overlooked, at times with tragic consequences.

Things to consider include:

• making or updating your will (things like guardianship,executors, trustees are important considerations in this regard)
• revising your insurance protection
• starting a savings plan for your new son or daughter (things like education are important considerations)
• planning a family budget (in many cases overall income will probably go down and expenses will go up, so looking at all your expenditure will be important) Life insurance is often overlooked and you should consider protecting the homemaker as well as the major breadwinner. Can you imagine what it would cost to pay for all of the duties carried out by a parent looking after your child and maintaining a family home?

Some parents feel they need to do it all themselves. Along the way you may receive a lot of advice from well-meaning friends and family. However, you should never feel that asking for help or advice is somehow an admission that you can’t cope. After all, parenting is not an exact science and there is no ‘perfect’ way to look after your new arrival – every child and every situation is different. There are many services and organisations dedicated to parenting. Your baby may not settle, feeding could be a problem, your other relationships may be under pressure and you may be going through a range of emotions that are putting strain on your everyday life. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Some of the best information for families is obtained on websites run by the Federal and State Governments. These websites offer contact details of support and emergency services in your area and other helpful information including:

• staying healthy during pregnancy
• advice on preparing your home
• how to choose where to have your baby
• introducing your new baby to the rest of the family, including pets
• early parenting advice on issues such as sleeping, feeding, immunisation, sibling rivalry
• advice on work and finance
• postnatal depression

These websites also have links to other State and Federal assistance available and can be found at:

• National Families portal (Federal Government) –www.familyassist.gov.au
• Having a baby in Victoria –www.health.vic.gov.au/maternity
• Having a baby in South Australia –www.service.sa.gov.au
• Having a baby in NSW – www.nsw.gov.au/baby.asp
• Queensland Department of Communities –www.communities.qld.gov.au/family
• Community Resources Online (WA) –www.community.wa.gov.au/DFC
• Family, Child and Youth Service (Tasmania) –www.dhhs.tas.gov.au
• ACT Health – www.health.act.gov.au

The following is a list of other support and information services that may be of assistance both during and after your pregnancy.

06 – 07 The Federal Government’s maternity payment may be available to eligible families following the birth or adoption of a child. From 1 January 2009 parents with a combined income of less than $75,000 in the six months following birth or from when the child enters their care are eligible. There are 13 fortnightly payments totalling $5,000 for each child.

The Family Assistance Office is a Federal Government department which provides a wide range of information for families, including parenting advice and details of financial assistance available. If you would like to find out if you qualify for payments, such as the Child Care Benefit, you can call 13 61 50 or go to www.familyassist.gov.au The Australian Parenting Website www.raisingchildren.net.au is a Federal Government sponsored site with practical information and advice on issues faced by parents everyday. The information is delivered in age brackets through to eight years of age

Thank you to ANZ for providing this information www.anz.com

© Copyright Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) Level 14,100 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000, ABN 11 005 357 522. The information in this Guide is current as at

October 2009.. The information is in summary form and does not purport to be complete. It is intended as a general guide only and is not a substitute for professional advice. The information does not take into account your personal needs and financial circumstances and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you. When considering financial products, you should read the Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide before deciding to acquire or hold the product.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522.