CARMBA Services
Bereavement Support Team
Our Bereavement Team is comprised of parents who have themselves experienced the death of one of their multiples and offers support and information to any family who sadly, loses one or more of their multiples at any age or stage of gestation.
Our Bereavement Team offers
- Telephone or personal contact from members who have themselves experienced the death of one or more of their babies or children
- Regular get-togethers for parents
- Literature and information from the Australian Multiple Birth Association's Grief and Loss Folder
- Access to recent books and publications about bereavement, grief and related issues
- Hospital visiting, if requested
- Membership to the Multiple Birth Association Bereavement Support Group, including a quarterly newsletter and communication network
- Details of other support groups such as SANDS
Buy N' Sell
CARMBA organises a sale giving priority stalls to CARMBA members. The Buy N' Sell is in the fall and spring each year. It is the perfect opportunity to find preloved clothing, furniture and toys.
Clothing Pool
Small baby clothes in size 00000 and 000 are available for loan at no charge. Users are asked to donate an item or two when clothes are returned. Maternity items are available for hire for a small fee.
Equipment Hire
A number of twin prams and other equipment are available for hire to members at reasonable rates.
Expectant and New Parents' Information Session
New and expectant parents' of multiples are invited to attend a free information session to learn more about life with multiple birth children. The New and Expectant Parents' Information Session is a service CARMBA provides to the community thus membership is not required to attend the event. Topics for discussion include the unique features of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding multiplxes. The event is held the first Monday of every second month at 7:00 PM in Calvary Hospital Education Room, Maternity Floor. The venue can accommodate infants and children. For more information please email Petrina or call 1.300.859.322.
Higher Order Multiples
We cater specifically for parents of triplets, quads and more. For more information please contact our Higher Order Multiples (HOM) Liaison Officer.
Hospital Visiting
Our hospital visitors are happy to visit pregnant or new parents in hospital. To request a hospital visit please email hospitalvisitor@carmba.org.au or call us at 1.300.859.322.
Library
A comprehensive collection of resources and literature about multiples is available to members for borrowing, free of charge. Many subjects are catered for including pregnancy, self-care, child development and care, breastfeeding and many more including prematurity, bereavement and special needs. The library currently contains over 200 books, in addition to journals and articles pertaining to multiples. To borrow an item or for a complete list of available materials please contact Emma.
Member Discounts
CARMBA provides a list of shops that are willing to generously provide CARMBA members with a discount on a wide range of goods and services. CARMBA is affiliated with the national body, the Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA) which acts as a liaison between all local associations. AMBA is the information centre at national and state level. AMBA provides literature to assist all multiple birth families and acts on behalf of the club on government and semi-government issues pertaining to multiple birth.
Meetings
General Meetings are held monthly, usually on the second Monday of the month. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Newsletter
CARMBA publishes six newsletters per year. We encourage our members to receive email newsletters to cut down on waste.
Parent Contacts
CARMBA has a network of parent contacts for specific concerns such as breastfeeding, caesarean birth, reflux and premature birth. Parent Contacts are able to provide support and advice about issues relating to these topics.
Social Functions
A number of social events are held throughout the month including
- Morning and afternoon teas
- Pregnant and new parents mornings
- Multiple birth playgroups
- Annual twins in school evening for parents whose multiples are about to begin school or preschool
- MANY more events...
The AMBA Special Needs Register aims to support, inform and educate families with multiples where one or more family members have a special need. Local get-togethers are held for any member who has a family member with a special need. The Special Needs Register is a free, confidential and non-medical service. Our aim is to encourage friendship, communication, exchange of information and mutual support.
Services offered include
- A wide range of resources and information about a broad range of special needs.
- Contact with other families who have a similar need, Australia wide and locally, through our Special Needs Register
- Details of other support organisations throughout Australia Information is available about sensory disability (vision and hearing), physical disability such as cerebral palsy, cleft palate, spina bifida, etc. prolonged hospitalisation, language delay, intellectual disability, reading problems, behaviour issues including ADD and ADHD, emotional problems, learning difficulties, genetic conditions, birth abnormalities and many others.
Parents who are single or young are invited to make contact with the association. These groups meet regularly to support each other with the unique issues of parenting multiples as young or single parents.
Member Pages… COMING SOON!!!
In the near future CARMBA members will have access to a new and exciting service. We will be launching a “members only” section on our website. You will be able to connect with other parents of multiples with our forum, buy and sell items in the classifieds section and MUCH MUCH MORE! We appreciate your patience while we improve our website.