Nicole Gale in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Medical and health

Nicole Gale

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9836 1366

Address: 174 Union Road, Surrey Hills 3128 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.drnicolegale.com

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24.01.2022 Doctors who work with women and babies, would you like to upskill in supporting women to breastfeed? If so, join us online in early 2021 for a jam packed program! We have local and internationally renowned speakers. For full disclosure: I do not have any financial interest but am on the organising committee for the conference.

24.01.2022 To all those waiting for some sunshine and rainbows There are many people suffering now. Overwhelm and fear for many seems to dominate days that blur into each other with isolation and overwhelm. I am now seeing many people whose mental health has deteriorated. Times have changed and there is a new reality we are living in. This new reality will continue for some time. But make no mistake. There are things we can all do to better our health both physical and emotional. Th...ese are the same cornerstones of health from pre-covid days. 1. Movement. Our bodies need to move. It doesn’t have to be fast or fancy, but getting moving is important for us all. Especially when we’ve got excess stress hormones (cortisol) to burn. This has to go somewhere. Movement keeps our minds and bodies strong. Strong hearts and respiratory capacity means we are better able to withstand illness. Increased muscle mass has been shown to boost the immune system. If you can, you’ll get a good endorphin boost from getting sweaty and your heart rate up. Jog for 30 seconds, walk for as many as you like. If you can’t, try and focus on a walk most days, as a minimum. 2. Sunshine. I personally think this is pivotal and difficult in winter but if you can and you see the rays out, chase them. Of course be sensible with UV risk but a little sunshine makes a big difference. 3. Nutrition. I don’t mean restrict. I don’t mean beat yourself up. I mean, honestly, who cares if you’ve gained weight. Pandemics happen. But if you can, try and have real foods, whole foods and fruit and vegetables. Remember protein and good fats. Our bodies crave sugar when stress hormones are high. It’s adaptive. It’s not the devil. Food is just food. Be kind to yourself. 4. Connection. As important as any of the other points. We are creatures of community. Say hello to people you pass when walking. Call or text a friend. Make a zoom date. Call someone you trust if you’re struggling. Call your doctor if you’re struggling more days than not. It’s okay to need help and to voice your concerns. This is a time of immense growth for many of us, as painful as it is. There are people available to help you through this time. Cont in comments...

23.01.2022 Hot off the Press. Highly relevant for anyone working with postpartum women and babies. Position statement from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. In summary, the two mRNA vaccinations that are being rolled out internationally, have not been tested in lactating women as they were excluded from studies. However, due to the large size of the lipid molecules used as a vehicle for mRNA, it is highly unlikely to cross into breastmilk. Should it do so, it is likely to be digested and broken down in an infants stomach and thus not absorbed. Additionally there is biological plausibility to the idea that as with many other natural infection and stimulated immune responses (ie vaccination), that this be protective for infants. In these cases maternal antibodies are transferred in breastmilk to babies and confer protection. Watch this space.

22.01.2022 I am now offering Telehealth consultations and home visits on request in the Covid-19 era. Because mums and babes do not need anything extra to worry about. If you would like to access this service, please email me on [email protected] and I will discuss with you. Medicare rebates may apply but may not for all consultations depending on Medicare rules. In the meantime, wash those hands! Credit: @beciorpin

22.01.2022 It’s flu vaccine time! We are advising everyone to have a flu vaccine this year to lessen the burden of co infection with covid -19 and influenza. If you’re under 5, pregnant, have a chronic disease, are 65 and over or ATSI, then it’s free! My colleagues and I are furiously vaccinating, and doing what we can both in appointments and in flu clinics. Stay well everyone!

21.01.2022 Can’t help but get a cuddle where I can. Even if they’re a baby doll I’m using for educational purposes during a course! #allthecuddles

18.01.2022 Getting to know your little person. You’re finally handed your much anticipated baby, and so begins the journey of you getting to know each other earthside. A newborn baby may seem like a sleepy bundle who only feeds and needs their nappy changed (rinse, repeat), but they are already a person in their own right and there are clues about who they are in the language they speak. How your baby responds to stimuli, yourself, his or her preferences and what he or she enjoys or... finds soothing, tells you much about your baby from the first day of life. Interpreting this can seem daunting for parents but it’s incredibly accessible and for those finding it hard, with a little support, you can learn to speak the same language. This fosters attachment and family bonding in a profound way. This week I am juggling clinical work with becoming NBO accredited via the Royal Childrens Hospital. This is an extra tool that helps me collaborate with parents to allow them to observe and learn about their own unique baby and how to connect with them. I will be bringing this into the flow of my consultations and may offer stand alone appointments if there is an interest. However, don’t forget, you’re the expert on your baby! The best care provided to families is that which is supportive and collaborative and helps build parents confidence in caring for and learning about their beloved baby. See more

18.01.2022 Happy Mother’s Day to the many incredible women that I have the privilege to work with. Parenthood is a crazy ride and we do it together, with our community. I hope today your coffee is warm, you get a hot shower and you have tiny arms wrapped around you in love.

17.01.2022 Telehealth available for all GP and mother/ baby concerns with possible Medicare rebates. This service is for you or your patients who are vulnerable and would like to stay home. Please email [email protected] illustration: @emmakisstina

17.01.2022 Covid 19 and brand new babies. I am still seeing patients face to face. Because babies are still being born and Mums still need help. I am cleaning between patients all spaces, as well as undertaking strict infection control myself and are wearing a mask at all times. I am happily weighing and supporting Mums through this time. I am offering a combination of face to face and Telehealth follow up or vice versa. I happy to work with what you’re comfortable with. I do ask parents to wear a mask to all appointments. But still, joy abounds and in the blink of any eye they grow!

13.01.2022 The complacency is real. Everyone is a bit over it. It is human nature and the blame game of how we got here is not helpful at all. In fact, with knowledge of disease transmission and infection control, it was in many ways inevitable. Even with the most stringent of controls, in those who become unwell, 5% will do so >14 days from exposure. What people may not realise when looking at the daily numbers:... 1. The incubation period is up to 14 days on average. Therefore the numbers you see are from one to TWO weeks ago. In that time, there has been little social distancing and likely rampant spread. 2. Every person with the disease and without infection control, spreads the illness to 3-5 people. 3. Cases double every 2-3 days. So 288 new cases in Victoria (assuming these cases have been detected at onset of illness, which I'm sure is not all), were contracted 5-14 days ago in 95%. And over the last 14 days or longer, those 288 people were potentially spreading the disease to 3-5 people, including prior to onset of symptoms. That means in 2-3 days, assuming uncontrolled spread we will have 576 new cases a day. In 4-6 days, we will have over 1000 new cases a day. Every day we don't curb the spread, those numbers increase. I get it. I'm exhausted too. But I'm seriously concerned when I see the number of people out and about. Wear a mask. Any mask is better than none. Wear it over your mouth AND nose. If you don't have a mask, scarves work well. There are hacks for fabric with rubber bands. The reality, whether Victoria had had an outbreak or not, is that this isn't going away for months to years. We're going to have to adjust. You might think, well then if it's inevitable, why fight it? The reason is that if you overload the health services and ICU, the mortality rate goes from 2-3% to around 10+%. That is a terrifying world. Take care of yourself out there and please, wear a mask when out and stay home if you can, outside of the four reasons to be out.

11.01.2022 A smile is an important part of connection, and though many of you may see me in scrubs and a mask, this is me below all of the protective gear. A quick Monday morning snap. Everyday I feel privileged to see incredible women and babies. Today I saw mothers who are triple feeding, exclusively pumping, helping their premature baby double their birth weight from a start of just over 1kg a few weeks prior, mothering through reflux, hip braces and oversupply and others just hanging in there when the days are hard. Know that no matter what, I am behind you to support you in meeting your goals and to help you not feel alone, no matter what the journey may bring. I am open to an evolution. Of practice where mothers and babies are supported better or collaboration with established networks. How beautiful to do this work and have it evolve.

05.01.2022 For anyone looking for a resource for preschool and early childhood aged children, relating to the coronavirus, meet Cyrus the Virus. Created by the talented Eszter and Oscar, it’s a wonderful and gentle book that explains some of the changes occurring around our children. Congratulations to this talented team! Link in Bio.

04.01.2022 Does it look right is by far is the most common question I get asked by mothers when we’re discussing latching. And while I get good information visually, overwhelmingly my response to their question is How does it feel?. Because there are so many myths when it comes to getting a baby to latch that disempower mothers and shut down their instinctive intuitive knowing. Before your baby is born, often you are handed a pamphlet where a baby is latched with lips flanged in a K... shape. The holy grail, or so it is made to feel. Often right after birth, the midwife grabs your breast and your baby’s head and pushes them on. Ready or not. For many women, this doesn’t feel right or there are issues with attachment. Babies are born, for the most part, alert and able to be an active participant in the dance of latching and feeding. I am forever amazed by the intelligent design of a baby’s body. Did you know that babies have reflexes designed to assist in latching and feeding? Optimal positioning of your baby allows neurological and proprioceptive input to stimulate these reflexes and facilitate a deep latch. In turn, switching these reflexes on is about whole body positioning of the infant. Tapping into this whole body positioning, means that your baby is set up optimally to negotiate this dance and latch to facilitate milk transfer. There’s a whole bunch of science behind it, it’s called dynamic neuromuscular stabilisation. While it sounds complicated, it’s much easier and more intuitive than many think. Yes there are circumstances where mother assisted latching is required but for the vast majority with good support and positioning, your baby can latch themselves to your breast. Baby led latching is also more likely to be deep than mother led. So many women I see are told that something is wrong with them or their baby, if there is difficulty. They’re recommended complex regimens, invasive interventions and multiple practitioner referrals. But if you can understand the basics, have support to get the knack of it, then many breastfeeding problems can be solved without pain or fuss. Want to hear more about latching? Let me know below! Illustration: Shelley Couvillion. See more

01.01.2022 Having a hard time? You are not alone. Many of us are, including myself. Life is mundane and exhausting. Chronic, prolonged stress and grief eventually catch up with us. For most of us, we’ve never experienced anything like this in our generation. Life requires significant resilience and our tanks are now running close to empty. As women, we often carry the burden of care for our families and community. But we’re human. Nothing you do is worth doing if it totally destroys you.... You help no one by working yourself into the ground. I can talk the talk but believe me, I am finding it hard to take my own advice. So, after being reminded by a dear friend and mentor, @drdaniellearabena, I am letting go. I am finding my own protective space to recharge. I am reminding myself of my spirituality and using that to recharge, and to bring this to my family and children. I am going to keep working at this, just as everyone else is. I saw light today. Cases are dropping. People are listening. I am warm and cocooned in my home. I hear the rain outside. I am reminded of my blessings when I hold my children’s hands, smell their sweet heads, listen to their stories. What are you doing to find your light? To recharge? Share it here, for all of us. See more