Zoey Salucci was seven months pregnant when the bushfires forced her to evacuate her home in Cobargo with her two-year-old daughter and shelter on a beach in Bermagui.
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Rebecca Clark gave birth to her youngest daughter in Canberra during the height of the COVID-19 restrictions.
These women feature in a new study examining the effects of this year's bushfires and COVID-19 on pregnant women and their babies.
The researchers, including Dr Danielle Schoenaker from UOW's School of Medicine, are particularly interested in hearing from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and women from culturally diverse backgrounds who will have experienced unique circumstances during these crises.
"We hope the study findings will tell us how the bushfires, COVID-19 and the associated disruptions have impacted the health, health behaviours and wellbeing of pregnant women and their babies," Dr Schoenaker said.
"This information will help health professionals inform women about their risks, and advise them on things they can do to prevent any negative impact on their health and that of their baby.
"This may help women feel better informed and reduce stress and anxiety in these difficult times.
This may help women feel better informed and reduce stress and anxiety in these difficult times.
- Dr Danielle Schoenaker
"Understanding the challenges women faced when attending healthcare services will also help us recommend adaptations to these services in the future."
The study is led by Professor Christopher Nolan at the Australian National University in partnership with the University of Wollongong, University of Canberra, Canberra Health Services and NSW Health.
The survey will highlight the challenges women and their babies faced throughout the bushfires and pandemic as well as their adaptability and resilience in both the short and longer term.
The survey is available to anyone who was pregnant or had a baby no older than three months on February 1, 2020 or became pregnant by April 30, 2020 in Canberra and south-eastern New South Wales.
The survey can be accessed online at https://medicalschool.anu.edu.au/research/projects/mother-and-child-2020-mc2020
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
