Michelle van der Westhuizen

16/03/2026

Ante natal class starting 13 April at 19h00 at the Caritas service centre.

15/03/2026

Meet Our Symposium Presenters

We are honoured to welcome a wonderful group of presenters who will be sharing their knowledge, experiences, and insights during the Down Syndrome South Africa World Down Syndrome Day Online Symposium from 17–19 March 2026.

Meet Kosie Schoeman, who will be opening Day 2 of the Symposium. Kosie will welcome participants and reflect on the importance of this day, which focuses on parents, educators, and the broader community, and the vital role they play in building strong support systems, inclusion, and belonging for persons with Down syndrome.

🔗 You can register for the Symposium here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hJBMHF8ES1afFa9IX-Zocg

15/03/2026

You can no more be a perfect mom than you can be a perfect human being.

14/03/2026

14/03/2026

Very often several times the same day 🤱

13/03/2026

Dearest Heart for Alternatives supporters, at the moment we are quite desperate for the following donations:
- Nappies size 1 or 2
- Second hand clothing newborn - 12 months

Please contact Sue Pietersen on +27 71 997 0147/ drop off point is Joy To The Nations church ⛪️🙏🫶🏻

Also share this share this post if you can xx

13/03/2026

Funny how adults will ignore their own instincts…

Meanwhile a 3 month old will smile at someone gentle…
and immediately start crying when someone with weird energy tries to hold them.

Babies can’t talk yet, but they are experts at reading tone, facial expressions, and body language. Their brains are literally wired to scan for safety.

So when a baby suddenly gets uncomfortable around someone, maybe stop dismissing it as “just a phase.”

Sometimes babies are simply reacting to the energy adults pretend not to notice. 👀

12/03/2026

🧠 FETUS BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Did you know your baby’s brain starts forming very early in pregnancy?

• Week 3–4: The brain and spinal cord begin to form from the neural tube.
• Week 8: Basic brain structures are already developing.
• Second Trimester: Billions of brain cells are created as the brain grows rapidly.
• Third Trimester: Connections between brain cells strengthen, helping prepare your baby for life outside the womb.

By the time your baby is born, their brain will continue growing and learning every single day.

✨ Every kick, sound, and touch helps stimulate your baby’s developing brain.

12/03/2026

FETAL DEVELOPMENT 👶🤰

Fetal development is the process of how your baby grows and develops inside the womb during pregnancy.

👶 First Trimester (Weeks 1–12)
The baby’s brain, heart, and major organs begin to form.

👶 Second Trimester (Weeks 13–27)
The baby grows quickly, and movements can start to be felt.

👶 Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40)
The baby gains weight, organs mature, and prepares for birth.

✨ Each week brings amazing changes as your baby grows stronger and closer to meeting you.

12/03/2026

Things pregnant women Google at 2am…
(and our midwife Lauren would know - she’s got eight kids!)

Is this a contraction?
How painful is birth really?
What if my waters break at Woolworths?
What do I actually pack in my hospital bag?
Will I know when labour starts?
Am I doing this right?

Deep breath.

No one is born knowing how to have a baby.

Our Bubble Antenatal Classes in Launceston are designed to help you feel informed, calm and confident heading into birth and those first weeks with your newborn.

✔ Understand how labour really works
✔ Learn pain relief options
✔ Practical newborn care
✔ Breastfeeding basics
✔ What actually happens after birth

Small groups.
Evidence-based information.
Led by experienced midwife Lauren.

Your future self will thank you.

Find more information via our website
https://thebubbletasmania.com.au/launceston/services/antenatal-classes

12/03/2026

WHICH STAGE OF PREGNANCY IS THE HARDEST? 🤰

Every pregnancy is different, but many moms say the first trimester (weeks 1–12) is the hardest.

Common reasons:
• Morning sickness
• Extreme fatigue
• Hormonal changes
• Food aversions

The second trimester is often easier, while the third trimester can be physically uncomfortable as the baby grows.

✨ Every stage has challenges, but each one brings you closer to meeting your baby. 👶💛