Start here
PDFOverview of pregnancy resources
Australian Government guide
A broad starting point for understanding the information and support available throughout pregnancy.
Download PDFSupport and Resources
The right information for your next step.
The Maman Box brings together practical Australian Government guides and trusted support pathways for pregnancy, parental leave, birth, postpartum care, feeding, wellbeing, and family life. Use this page to find a resource that fits your situation today.
Our downloadable guides are free to choose from and share with your care or support team. They come from Fair Work Ombudsman, Pregnancy, Birth & Baby, and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to help support continuity of care between appointments and across each stage of the journey.
Need help right now?
If there is immediate danger, call 000.
For immediate emotional support or someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These services are independent of The Maman Box, which does not provide crisis or clinical care.
Free, stage-based guides
Choose what is useful for you.
Start with a stage, then open the individual guides that fit your questions, plans, and next conversation. Every PDF is separate, so you can choose only what you need as your pregnancy and early parenthood journey unfolds.
Find information for understanding early changes, planning appointments, making food-safe choices, considering care options, and preparing for workplace leave.
Early pregnancy
PDFConception and fetal growth
Australian Government guide
A visual guide to conception and how your baby develops in the early stages of pregnancy.
Download PDFYour health
PDFCommon conditions during pregnancy
Australian Government guide
A practical overview of common pregnancy conditions and when to talk with your health professional.
Download PDFYour health
PDFHealth tests during your pregnancy
Australian Government guide
An overview of common checks and tests you may be offered during pregnancy.
Download PDFPlanning
PDFPregnancy timeline
Australian Government guide
A week-by-week reference for key changes, appointments, and milestones across pregnancy.
Download PDFCare choices
PDFTypes of pregnancy care
Australian Government guide
Compare common pregnancy care pathways and understand where to find support for your preferences.
Download PDFFood and safety
PDFFoods to avoid during pregnancy
Australian Government guide
A clear food-safety guide for foods and drinks to avoid or handle with extra care during pregnancy.
Download PDFAppointments
PDFCheckups, scans and tests
Australian Government guide
A simple guide to appointments, scans, and tests you may encounter during pregnancy.
Download PDFVaccinations
PDFVaccination pregnancy schedule
Australian Government guide
A reference for recommended pregnancy vaccinations and when to discuss them with your care team.
Download PDFSupport
PDFNational helplines
Australian Government guide
A handy list of Australian helplines and support services for pregnancy, parenting, and wellbeing.
Download PDFPregnancy basics
PDFPregnancy stages
Australian Government guide
A visual overview of the three trimesters and the changes that can happen along the way.
Download PDFFood and safety
PDFPregnancy food comparison
Australian Government guide
A quick comparison guide to help you make informed food choices during pregnancy.
Download PDFPlanning
PDFPregnancy to-do checklist
Australian Government guide
A practical checklist for early pregnancy planning, appointments, and tasks.
Download PDFWork and leave
PDFEmployee checklist for unpaid parental leave
Australian Government guide
A practical checklist to help employees prepare for and manage the steps involved in taking unpaid parental leave.
Download PDFAppointments
PDFQuestions to ask your doctor
Australian Government guide
Prompts to help you prepare for conversations with your doctor or maternity care provider.
Download PDFThese resources are for general information and to support conversations with your care team. They do not replace personalised medical advice, so speak with your doctor, midwife, nurse, or another trusted health professional about your own care.
Explore practical information for changing symptoms, safe sleep, nursery planning, conversations about leave, and finding support as pregnancy progresses.
Preparing for labour
PDFBraxton Hicks and contractions
Australian Government guide
Information to help you understand the difference between Braxton Hicks and labour contractions, and when to contact your care team.
Download PDFBaby safety
PDFCot safety
Australian Government guide
Practical guidance for creating a safer sleep space and choosing a cot for your baby.
Download PDFSupport and care
PDFMiscarriage guide
Australian Government guide
A supportive guide with information about miscarriage, what may happen, and where to seek further care and support.
Download PDFPlanning
PDFNursery checklist
Australian Government guide
A practical checklist for setting up your baby’s nursery and preparing for their arrival.
Download PDFWork and leave
PDFGiving notice for unpaid parental leave
Australian Government guide
A practical template to help you give your employer written notice when taking unpaid parental leave.
Download PDFThese resources are for general information and to support conversations with your care team. They do not replace personalised medical advice, so speak with your doctor, midwife, nurse, or another trusted health professional about your own care.
Use these individual resources to think through your birth bag, comfort options, movement, and the questions you want to take to your care team.
Birth preparation
PDFBirth bag checklist
Australian Government guide
A practical checklist to help you plan what to pack for your labour, birth, and hospital stay.
Download PDFPreparing for birth
PDFPerineal massage
Australian Government guide
Information about perineal massage in pregnancy, including how to discuss it with your care provider.
Download PDFLabour preparation
PDFPositions for labour
Australian Government guide
A guide to positions and movement that may support comfort during labour, to explore with your care team.
Download PDFThese resources are for general information and to support conversations with your care team. They do not replace personalised medical advice, so speak with your doctor, midwife, nurse, or another trusted health professional about your own care.
Choose individual resources for feeding, skin-to-skin contact, postnatal wellbeing, and routine checks as you settle into life with your baby.
Feeding support
PDFHand expressing breastmilk
Australian Government guide
A practical guide to hand expressing breastmilk, including when it may be useful and where to find support.
Download PDFBonding and newborn care
PDFKangaroo care guide
Australian Government guide
Information about kangaroo care and skin-to-skin contact as you settle into life with your newborn.
Download PDFMental wellbeing
PDFSigns of postnatal depression
Australian Government guide
Information about signs of postnatal depression and when to reach out for professional support.
Download PDFFeeding support
PDFRelieving breast engorgement
Australian Government guide
Practical information about breast engorgement and ways to discuss relief with your breastfeeding support team.
Download PDFPostnatal health
PDFRoutine health checks
Australian Government guide
An overview of routine health checks after birth for you and your baby, to discuss with your care team.
Download PDFFeeding support
PDFStoring expressed breastmilk
Australian Government guide
A reference for storing expressed breastmilk safely as you find the feeding rhythm that works for you.
Download PDFThese resources are for general information and to support conversations with your care team. They do not replace personalised medical advice, so speak with your doctor, midwife, nurse, or another trusted health professional about your own care.
Support and Resources
Find the support that fits your situation
First Nations support
13YARN
Free, confidential, culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, connecting callers with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters 24/7.
First Nations support
NACCHO
Find local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and community-led health and wellbeing services across Australia, including child, maternal, and mental-health pathways.
First Nations support
Thirrili
An Indigenous Suicide Postvention Service offering emotional and practical support to families impacted by suicide or other fatal traumatic incidents.
Parents, partners, and families
PANDA for parents and partners
Information and support for expecting and new parents, including dedicated guidance for dads and partners navigating the emotional load of parenthood.
Parents, partners, and families
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
An Australian Government service offering trusted information and access to maternal child health nurses from pregnancy to preschool.
Parents, partners, and families
Gidget Foundation Australia
Accessible, timely, and specialised mental-health support for families from pre-conception to early infancy. Gidget is not a crisis service.
Defence and veteran support
ADF All-hours Support Line
A confidential 24/7 telephone service for Australian Defence Force members and their families, helping connect you with ADF or civilian mental-health services.
Defence and veteran support
Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling
Free counselling, treatment programs, and suicide-prevention training for current and ex-serving members and their families.
Mental wellbeing
PANDA for expecting parents
Perinatal mental-health information, stories, checklists, and support for the emotional changes that can come with pregnancy.
Mental wellbeing
Gidget Foundation Australia
Specialised mental-health support for parents from pre-conception to early infancy, with pathways to professional support. Not a crisis service.
Mental wellbeing
Beyond Blue
Free mental-health support, online peer forums, and counselling for anyone who needs someone to talk to.
Pregnancy loss and grief
Pink Elephants Support Network
An Australian support network focused on miscarriage, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy after loss, with information and connection for women and families.
Pregnancy loss and grief
Red Nose Grief and Loss Support
Compassionate counselling, information, and support groups for families grieving the loss of a baby or child.
Breastfeeding and feeding support
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Evidence-led, judgement-free support from qualified breastfeeding counsellors, local groups, education, and a 24/7 helpline for families.
Children and family wellbeing
Kids Helpline
Free, confidential counselling and peer support for children and young people, available by phone and online 24/7.
Children and family wellbeing
Raising Children Network
Ad-free parenting information, videos, and apps backed by Australian experts, covering pregnancy through the teenage years.
Trusted health information
Healthdirect Australia
Government-funded Australian health information and a 24/7 advice line to help you understand your options and find health services.
Trusted health information
Women’s Health & Equality Information Hub
Reliable, accessible health information with a gendered lens, plus resources to help women advocate for themselves and understand their rights in the health system.
Safety and support
1800RESPECT
Free, confidential support available 24/7 for people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence. Their website includes online-safety guidance.
How to use this page
This page is a starting point, not a replacement for care. The Maman Box shares government information, practical product discovery, and pathways to independent support. Availability, eligibility, and opening hours can change, so visit each official website for current information or speak with your GP, midwife, nurse, or another trusted health professional.
Visit Lifeline