Community Conversation: Pregnancy perspectives of bacterial infections, screening, and treatment

The University of Western Australia’s perinatal research team wants to hear from mothers - prospective, expecting and current about what they know about bacterial infections and screening during pregnancy. Your experiences and insights will help to shape this research to improve understanding and prevention of infection in early life. This Community Conversation will be exploring understanding, experiences and perspectives on bacterial infection, screening and preventative treatments during pregnancy to gain perspectives, insights and experiences around Group B Streptococcus (GBS), screening and prevention and treatment.

Attendees will be offered an $80 honorarium (gift card) and light refreshments will be provided on the night.

WE SEEK:

  • Mothers - prospective, expecting and/or current

  • A mother who has had an infection during pregnancy or who has had a baby with an infection while you were pregnant (not a requirement to attend)

DATE: Wednesday 5 November 2025

TIME: 10am – 12pm (AWST/Perth time)

LOCATION: Online

 

Submit your EOI here: https://bit.ly/42JRZ8r

Join a Focus Group - EOI Open

Your opportunity to shape meaningful, woman-centred change in maternity care.

The Every Week Counts program will soon conduct two Consumer Focus Groups centring around ‘Gestational Diabetes’ and ‘Pre-eclampsia screening during pregnancy’ and we need your help in spreading the word.

We are seeking interested participants from all over Australia that fall into the following groups:

- People who have experienced gestational diabetes

- People who have experienced pre-eclampsia

- People with a complication free pregnancy.

The meetings will take place online and those selected to participate will receive an honorarium for their time.

We invite anyone interested in participating to complete an Expression of Interest which can be found here: https://everyweekcounts.com.au/get-involved/

These focus groups will provide an opportunity to share perspectives and help shape the direction, design and delivery of initiatives aimed at safely reducing preterm and early term birth.

Every Week Counts

Many of you already understand the importance of Every Week Counting in your pregnancy, but not everyone who is pregnant does. Be a change maker by sharing this important resource, the Every Week Counts magazine, with your friends, family and wider network.

Raising awareness of the critical issue of premature and early term birth is essential. Together we can drive real change!

link to magazine

ABREAST Conference 2025

We are thrilled to be heading along to the ABREAST Conference for 2025 and can't wait to hear from Dr Alison Soerensen who will be reflecting on her experience as a Mum to a premature baby.

Dr Soerensen is a locally trained GP at Murray Medical Centre in Mandurah, WA, as well as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Her extensive qualifications include a Diploma of Breastfeeding Management and a Diploma of Child Health, with special interests in women’s health, paediatrics, infant sleep, and breastfeeding medicine.

Her session will highlight:

Reflections on Parenting and Breastfeeding a Hospitalised Preterm Infant as both a clinician and a mother of four, Dr Soerensen will share her personal journey of parenting and breastfeeding a preterm infant in NICU. She will reflect on the critical role healthcare teams play in supporting the parent-child relationship during this challenging time, offering attendees invaluable insights into the lifelong impact of their care.

📅 Don’t miss this heartfelt and thought-provoking session at the ABREAST Conference on 14th August 2025!

👉 Register now: https://www.abreast.network/abreast-2025

Strong Starts for Tiny Sparks: Sensory Sparks

Sensory Sparks: Igniting your Child's Exploration of the World
A practical and informative webinar to help families support their child’s sensory development through everyday experiences.

  • Understand the sensory system and how children process sensory information in different ways

  • Discover how sensory play supports development, learning, and regulation

  • Learn practical strategies to build meaningful sensory experiences into daily routines and support your child’s unique preferences

Presented by Staci Grant (Early Intervention Occupational Therapist) from Western Kids Health.

⏰ 1pm

📆 24 June

Register now