Your maternity admission
To make sure we provide you with the best care possible we recommend you meet the midwives responsible for your care and will invite you to attend the hospital for an interview with a midwife between 20 and 24 weeks gestation. Please ring the hospital to arrange an appointment on 9531 8230.
Please bring your doctor’s notes and pregnancy information with you. If you have had an ultrasound or blood test prior to attending the hospital, please bring the results to your first appointment.
The midwife will book you into the hospital, discuss childbirth preparation classes and provide you with the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have.
For yourself
- Your health insurance details (if applicable)
- Three packets of sanitary pads – no tampons
- One packet of nursing pads
- Toiletry items
- Casual wear for day time
- Nightwear
- Dressing gown
- Slippers/comfortable shoes
- Bras (well-fitting nursing bras if breastfeeding)
- Mobile phones can be used in certain areas. Please consider others and use vibration mode instead of ringtone.
For your labour (optional)
- A night gown/T-shirt or similar to wear in labour
- iPod/CDs
- Aromatherapy oils
- Shower cap
- Massage oil
- Lip balm
- Camera
For your baby
- Newborn nappies
- Baby wipes
- Outfits for your baby
Our care is aimed at meeting your physical, emotional and educational needs. Directly after the birth of your baby the amount of midwifery support you require will be greater than that needed towards the end of your stay as you become more confident with managing your baby.
The midwifery staff will involve you in the clinical handover of your care with the next midwife allocated to care for you. If you wish to have a sleep at this handover time, please advise staff caring for you, so that you are not disturbed.
Your hospital stay can be a very busy time. The following is a snapshot of an average morning.
Around 6.00am night staff will be carrying out observations. Doctor’s rounds commence from 7.00am to 8.30am followed by the morning midwives who will introduce themselves. Breakfast is then served.
Your midwife will attend to carry out physical checks and observations for both you and your baby.
Menus will be given out and collected for the next day by 11.00am.
You will be assisted with caring for the needs of your new baby throughout the day and night.
Anticipated length of stay following birth of your baby
For a:
- vaginal birth without complications – 6 to 24 hours
- caesarean section without complications – 24 to 72 hours