Your Birth

When to contact the Delivery Suite

Please contact the Delivery Suite if you have any concerns or worries on (02) 9598 5395. Our telephone is answered by midwives 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We are also in 24 hour contact with your obstetrician. It is very important to contact the Delivery Suite if any of the following occurs;

• Your waters break or you notice continuous leaking of fluid from the vagina
• If you have vaginal bleeding
• Onset of contractions before 37 weeks
• Onset of regular contractions after 37 weeks that remain persistent or change in frequency or intensity
• If you are concerned about the movement of your baby
• If you feel unwell
• If you have any concerns regarding your pregnancy or onset of labour
• If you feel concerned or anxious

It is important to communicate with the birth suite Midwives when you feel you are going into labour. Please call them on (02) 9598 5395, 24 hours a day. They will be able to offer you support over the phone and advise you when you should come into hospital. Please remember to bring your antenatal card with you when to come into the hospital.

Your Birth Plan

Some people choose to have a birth plan. They see it as an opportunity to write down any thoughts or wishes they have about their labour and /or stay in hospital.
It is very important that you discuss your plan with your Obstetrician and midwifery staff. This will give us an opportunity to let you know what we have available to meet your wishes and what is safe and practical according to your individual circumstances.

You will need to be flexible and be prepared to do things differently if complications arise for you or your baby. Childbirth is not always `normal’ and intervention may be required under certain circumstances.

If intervention is required your Obstetrician/Midwife will explain why the intervention is necessary and the associated risks and benefits of the intervention.

If you have any questions in relation to this information please do not hesitate to contact your Obstetrician and/ or your Midwife.

Monitoring your baby when you are in labour

To assist us to provide optimum care of your baby during labour and birth it is important that your baby's heart rate is monitored. Depending on the situation there are different ways that this can be done:

• Using a small portable ultrasound (doppler)
• Using a machine called a CTG (cardiotocograph). The baby's heart rate and your contractions are monitored electronically
• An electrode can be placed directly on the baby's head to record the heart rate( this is only used occasionally when it is difficult to record the heart rate using the two methods outlined above)

At all Ramsay Health Care maternity facilities a CTG is performed on admission. This establishes a baseline and re-assurance of the baby’s state of health or heart rate. The CTG is repeated intermittently throughout your labour unless there are indications for continual CTG monitoring.

Please note: If you have any questions in relation to this practice contact your obstetrician or the maternity unit manager of the Ramsay maternity unit you have chosen to have your baby.

What to bring to Hospital

We have made a checklist below to help you for your stay. Be prepared early and have your bags packed for the hospital as babies can arrive early.

Delivery Suite

• Antenatal card
• Large T-shirt/ sarong
• Dressing gown if desired
• Slippers
• Socks
• Chap stick, lanoline for lips
• Toiletries e.g. deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dry shampoo, fragrance free body wash, face wash and fragrance free moisturiser
• Brush, clip and/or hair tie for hair
• Relaxation music loaded to ipod/ CD (Ipod speakers are provided)
• IPad or laptop loaded with your favourite movies or TV series’ for you and your partner to watch and charger
• Lollies to suck during labour e.g. barley sugar, jelly beans or lolly pops
• Camera and charger
• Extra’s to assist during labour e.g. massage oil, tennis ball or massage tool, water spray bottle
• Pen and note pad
• Snacks for partner
• Swimmers and change of clothes for partner
• Your own pillow
• Gel heat pack (wheat packs not permitted)
• Birth plan (optional)

Maternity Ward

• Breast pads and 2x breastfeeding bras
• Maternity sanitary pads x 3 packets
• 1 week supply of underwear / disposable underwear
• Nightwear with open front if you are breastfeeding
• Dressing Gown
• Comfortable clothes for daytime
• Toiletries e.g. deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, dry shampoo, fragrance free body wash, face wash and fragrance free moisturiser
• Reading material
• IPad or laptop loaded with your favourite movies or TV series’ for you and your partner to watch and charger
• Slippers or comfortable shoes
• Hairdryer
• Nail scissors or nail file (to cut / file your nails short in preparation for breastfeeding)

Baby

St George Private will provide disposable nappies, clothes for daily wear, bunny rugs and bed linen for your baby whilst in hospital. If you wish you may dress your baby in clothing of your own choice.

If you are planning to use artificial formula to feed your baby, you may bring the formula of your choice, bottles and teats. However, we do supply certain formula (Nan and Aptamil) with bottles and teats if you prefer.

Infant restraint

You are legally required to have your child appropriately restrained with an approved child restraint while travelling in a motor vehicle. Please make sure this is fitted well before you need to take baby home. For more information, see www.childcarseats.com.au/legal-requirements

Information for Partners

During labour and birth we encourage partners to stay with the labouring women, to help this process we provide meals for the partner until the baby is born. Following the birth partners are welcome at all times, and may also stay overnight, some conditions do apply and this does incur a small charge.

Support People during Labour

Please advise your friends and family that no visiting is allowed whilst you are in the Delivery Suite. You may elect to have ONE support person with you during labour, that being either your partner or support person. Please note that this one support person is not interchangeable during labour. Visitors are encouraged to wait until the next session of visiting hours.

Support People during a Caesarean Section

If you are having an elective (planned) caesarean section with an epidural, you will most likely be able to have one support person - either your partner or support. However, this decision is dependent on your Doctor and the Anaesthetist. It is important for you to ask when you are planning your caesarean section. Should you require an emergency caesarean section your support person / partner may not be allowed to attend.