The Royal Women's Hospital

Did you know 80% of a child’s brain develops by age three?

The first 1000 days — from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday — are a critical time for building the foundations of communication, language and lifelong learning.

Everyday interactions like talking, singing, reading and responding to your baby’s sounds can make a real difference. For our tiniest patients, communication starts long before words, and our speech pathologists help support safe feeding, early connection and parent confidence during this important time.

Our speech pathologists work across NICU and outpatient follow-up clinics, including the Women’s First 1000 Days Clinic, helping children and families get the best possible start in life.

Learn more about early infant interaction in our factsheets: https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/fact-sheets

Come together for a day filled with smiles, special memories and community spirit.

Join us as we celebrate the strength of our NICU Warriors, honour the families who have navigated life's earliest challenges, and recognise the healthcare teams making a difference every day.

With animal encounters, live entertainment, face painting, family activities and plenty of space to relax and connect, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Best of all, every ticket helps support newborns and their families by funding vital equipment for our NICU.

We can't wait to see you there on Sunday 29 Nov, 11am - 2pm. To get your tickets visit: https://events.humanitix.com/nicu-warriors-family-fun-day

A simple question can help make healthcare safer.

By asking patients whether they identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, we're helping connect women, babies and families with the care and support that's right for them. Choosing to identify helps us provide responsive, and connected care, and ensures access to the support services available.

This work is part of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), where we're continuing to make progress across our commitments. To date, 44 RAP deliverables have been completed, a further nine are in progress, four key activities have been successfully delivered and are being repeated annually, and one action is yet to start.

Every conversation, every connection and every action bring us closer to our goal of providing a culturally safe and welcoming experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, babies, and families.

Together, we're building a safer and accessible health service for First Nations women, babies, and families.

Every breakthrough in research starts with a question: Why do some women experience menopause earlier than expected?

Researchers at the Women's are investigating the causes of early menopause and working to improve diagnosis, care and support for women affected by the condition.

As part of , we're highlighting research tackling some of the biggest unanswered questions in women's health.

This is just one example of the research underway across the Women's. Read more in our 2025 Research Report: http://www.thewomens.org.au/research-report-2025

Every breakthrough in research starts with a question: Can telehealth improve pregnancy care?

Researchers at the Women's are exploring whether new models of care can make services more accessible while maintaining safe, high-quality outcomes for women and babies.

As part of , we're highlighting research helping shape the future of maternity care.

This is just one example of the research underway across the Women's. Read more in our 2025 Research Report: www.thewomens.org.au/research-report-202

Every breakthrough in research starts with a question.

How can we help women feel more informed and supported during pregnancy and birth?

Researchers at the Women's are exploring how better information, communication and support can help women make informed decisions and navigate pregnancy with greater confidence.

As part of , we're highlighting research helping shape safer, more personalised care for women and families.

This is just one example of the research underway across the Women's. Read more in our 2025 Research Report: www.thewomens.org.au/research-report-2025

Every shift tells a different story in the Women’s Emergency Centre (WEC).

What doesn’t change is the expert care and camaraderie of the multidisciplinary team.

As Nurse/Midwives, Hannah and Ochre care for women from all walks of life. From pregnancy concerns and labour assessments to emergency gynaecological care and newborn support, no two days are ever the same.

Hannah says: “Juggling the ups and downs can be challenging, but this is where we as nurse/midwives are able to make the greatest impact.”

For both Hannah and Ochre, the compassion and skill of their team in WEC is part of what makes working in emergency so rewarding.

We’re more nurse/midwives to join the team. Find out more and apply on the Women’s website: https://careers.thewomens.org.au/

Every small moment matters.

Every day, our NICU nurses provide expert care alongside countless compassionate gestures and reassuring words that help give some our most vulnerable babies the best possible start in life.

The gentle reassurance.
The careful monitoring.
The quiet encouragement for parents navigating the NICU journey.

Scroll through to meet just some of the incredible nurses who care for babies and families in the Women’s NICU.

To all our neonatal nurses, thank you for the expertise, dedication and compassion you bring to our tiniest patients and their families every day.

Want to show your appreciation to a NICU nurse? Leave a comment to share your thanks!

This World Breastfeeding Week, we’re highlighting the importance of creating environments that support breastfeeding.
Families need access to clear, evidence-based information, appropriate healthcare and practical support that reflects their individual circumstances, culture and feeding goals.
We hope these tips can help families make informed choices about nutrition, supplements and breastfeeding products.