Women’s Health Week: Taking the first step towards looking after yourself

There was a time when Ashleigh was so exhausted that she was simply trying to make it through the day.

Her six-month-old son was struggling to sleep, and after trying everything she could think of, Ashleigh remembers putting the bassinet from his pram on the kitchen table, turning the radio up and hoping he would finally drift off.

“I really felt like I was just in survival mode back then,” Ashleigh said.

“I was completely exhausted and running on very little sleep, which affected my energy and overall wellbeing.”

The lack of sleep began to affect more than her energy. Ashleigh felt anxious about leaving the house in case her baby cried or wouldn’t settle, and worried that people might judge her.

“I remember feeling quite isolated and lacking confidence, and it felt like I was constantly worrying about how I was going to get through the day and the next night,” she said.

A fellow new mum recommended Kooweerup Hospital’s Early Parenting Unit (EPU) Sleep and Settling service. For Ashleigh and her husband, reaching out was a turning point.

Their experience was so positive that, several years later, they returned to the EPU with their second son for a refresher.

More than sleep

For Ashleigh, one of the things that made the EPU experience so valuable was that the focus wasn’t simply on getting her baby to sleep.

The team considered feeding, routines, play and the overall wellbeing of both baby and mother.

“I really appreciated that the service looked at the bigger picture and used a holistic approach rather than just focusing solely on sleep,” Ashleigh said.

“As a mother, from the moment you walked in, you and your baby felt like you were being taken care of by your own fairy godmothers.”

The warmth and non-judgemental approach of the EPU nurses gave Ashleigh a place where she could be honest about what she was finding difficult.

“I never felt like I was being judged for the struggles we were having with sleep or for how exhausted I was,” she said.

“They listened to me, validated how I was feeling and made me feel comfortable asking questions.”

For Ashleigh, the advice also felt realistic and achievable.

“Their approach was very warm, understanding and, most importantly, doable,” she said.

Asking for help is looking after yourself

Women’s Health Week runs from 7–11 September 2026, with this year’s theme, “do it anyway” — encouraging women to take small steps towards their health.

For Ashleigh, one of those small steps was recognising that she didn’t have to work everything out on her own.

“Kooweerup Hospital’s EPU helped me realise that asking for help isn’t a sign that you’re failing as a parent,” she said.

“When you’re exhausted, it can be easy to feel like you should just be able to figure everything out yourself.”

Having a free, local service also made it easier to take that step.

“When you’re exhausted and struggling, the last thing you need is another barrier to getting help,” Ashleigh said.

“Knowing that there was a service close to home that we could access without worrying about the cost made it so much easier to reach out.”

With practical strategies, a routine and a better understanding of her baby’s needs, Ashleigh gradually regained some of her confidence and energy.

“It meant I could actually enjoy being a mum rather than constantly feeling like I was just trying to survive the next sleep or the next day,” she said.

Looking after yourself counts

Ashleigh believes it can be easy for women to put their own wellbeing aside while caring for others or trying to meet the expectations they place on themselves.

Her advice is to ask for help before things become overwhelming and to let go of the pressure to do everything perfectly.

“There is absolutely no shame in needing guidance, especially if you’re not getting any sleep,” she said.

And her message extends beyond motherhood.

“Women are always told, ‘You can have it all,’ but sometimes that means feeling like you have to do it all too. And often, that comes at a cost.”

“For me, the biggest lesson I’ve learnt so far through motherhood is that sometimes it’s okay to do a little bit less. To let go of the pressure to do everything perfectly, to ask for help, and to recognise that looking after yourself counts.”

Support is available

Looking after your health and wellbeing can start with a small step — making an appointment, talking to someone, asking a question or simply acknowledging that you need support.

Whatever stage of life you are in, you don’t have to navigate health and wellbeing challenges alone. Bayside Health provides a range of health and wellbeing services across its Regional hospitals.

To find out what support is available in your local area, contact your nearest hospital:

Kooweerup Hospital
(03) 5997 9679

Korumburra Hospital
(03) 5654 2777

Leongatha Hospital
(03) 5667 5555

Phillip Island Community Hospital
(03) 5951 2100

Wonthaggi Hospital
(03) 5671 3333

This Women’s Health Week, remember: looking after yourself counts too. Sometimes, the first step is simply to ask for help — and do it anyway.