On the Coast – Families Issue 93 | April / May 2018 | Page 28

GP for a referral.
Central Coast Local Health District
Getting healthy in Pregnancy
Central Coast Local District Midwives
were the first in the NSW to refer
pregnant women into the new NSW
Health Get Healthy in Pregnancy (GHIP)
program.
Part of the Get Healthy Information &
Coaching Service, GHIP is a free telephone
based coaching service tailored to support
pregnant women aged over 16 in achieving
a healthy weight gain during their
pregnancy through positive behavioural
changes, which includes healthy eating and
physical activity. It is becoming standard
practice that all women across NSW are
offered referral to the service at their first
antenatal appointment.
Midwife, Anne Maree, said she is happy
referring her clients to the GHIP program.
‘Besides being a free NSW Health program
there are numerous benefits for both
mum and baby. The program promotes a
lifestyle of healthy eating and activity
which complements antenatal care’ said
Anne Maree.
Christine Smith from Green Point was
given a brochure and referred by her
midwife. ‘The following week I received a
call from Benjamine who is my health
coach during the pregnancy. To have the
same person ring you is fantastic and
wonderful as you build that relationship of
trust’ Christine said.
In early pregnancy Christine developed
gestational diabetes so the support of her
coach became even more important in
her journey of healthy eating and being
physically active. Christine’s goal was to be
as healthy as she could for herself and her
baby. ‘I thought before the Get Healthy in
Pregnancy program I was healthy, I now
know that wasn’t the case’ Christine said.
‘I work full time in Sydney so I arrange
to have Benjamine call me at 7.30pm being
a time that suits me. On the odd occasion I
wasn’t available I could ring the service and
someone else would assist me. I always felt
important and valued. And all this for free!
The personal approach of ‘how things are
going with food and exercise’ was always
encouraging and non-judgemental. My co-
workers want to know what am I doing as I
look so well. In fact I am now the healthiest
I have ever been. These lifestyle changes
are part of my life now and I highly
recommend the program to pregnant
women, family and friends’.
‘I look forward to enrolling in the general
program after pregnancy and wouldn’t
hesitate to use the service for any future
pregnancy’ Christine added.
Speak to your Midwife, GP or
Obstetrician about joining the
GHiP program, phone [phone]
or for more information
and to register go to
www.gethealthynsw.gov.au
Do you want to
get healthy
in pregnancy?
Get FREE help and support with:
• achieving & maintaining a healthy weight
• healthy eating
• ideas to stay active .
You will receive 10 free coaching phone
calls at a time that suits you from your
own personal health coach for 6 months.
Speak to your midwife, obstetrician or
GP for a referral.
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KIDZ O N T H E C OA S T