General Pregnancy Information

When you should contact Maitland hospital

Please phone Maitland Hospital Birth Suite (02) 40871702 immediately for advice if any of these occur:

• Your baby stops moving or there is an obvious reduction in your baby’s movements at any time during your pregnancy
• Trauma to the abdomen, assault, serious fall or car accident
• Vaginal bleeding at any time
• Sharp pains in the abdomen with or without vaginal bleeding
• Your waters break or if you have a constant clear watery vaginal discharge
• Fever or chills, temperature over 37.8 degrees
• Severe nausea and persistent vomiting
• Recurring and persistent headaches
• Blurred vision or spots before your eyes
• Pain or burning on passing urine
• Contractions at any time before 37 weeks
• Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
• Persistently itchy skin, especially hands and feet
• Labour has started and you feel it is time to come to hospital
• Booked Caesarean birth and labour commences

Antenatal clinical general information

The first Booking-in antenatal visit

All women (including those who are doing ‘Shared Care’) will have their first visit with a midwife at either Maitland or a community clinic. This is a comprehensive visit where we will discuss your previous medical history, family medical history, and your general well-being. This is to determine ways we can provide you with appropriate care and support throughout your pregnancy and to ensure your pregnancy care meets your needs.

You can expect your first appointment to take about one and a half hours. Please arrive at the clinic at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment time, this will allow time to complete your paperwork before you see the midwife. Your partner or support person is always welcome at your visits, but due to the length and personal nature of your first visit, we ask that you attend this appointment alone where possible. Your next appointment will be booked before you leave your first visit.

Once you have been allocated to a model of pregnancy care, we ask that wherever possible, you ensure your appointments remain on your allocated day with your allocated clinic or midwife. This will help you receive the best care possible.

Booking-in to hospital (admission procedures)

A midwife in the antenatal clinic will provide you with a ‘A Request For Admission’ form which we would like you to complete and return to the Admissions office at the front of the hospital. This is part of the pre-hospital admission procedure, the admissions officer will request to see your Medicare care, and ask for information about other health insurance details you may have, your full contact details and next of kin. Completing hospital admissions procedures well ahead of your baby’s birth date is helpful. We would like all women to complete the pre-admission procedures before they are about 24 weeks pregnant.

Women seeing a private obstetrician should visit the Maitland Admission desk near the front entrance of the hospital for more Information.

Specialty Obstetric Care

If you need support from specialist services, it will be arranged by the midwife completing your booking visit or by the team providing your pregnancy care.

Some conditions require specialist medical care that cannot be provided at Maitland Hospital and may require referral to John Hunter Hospital for all or part of your care.

Maitland Hospital has a specialist clinic for women who develop diabetes during their pregnancy.  Other services offered by Maitland Hospital include social and mental health wellbeing support.

Waiting Times

The Antenatal Clinic at Maitland is often very busy. While we make every effort to keep appointment times, the clinic does sometimes run late. We ask for your patience during these times and will endeavour to keep you well informed.  You will receive a reminder text prior to the day of your appointment. If you are unable to keep your appointment please ring to rearrange another time (49392739).

Ultrasound and Pathology Results

Routine antenatal care involves blood and urine tests, and ultrasounds examinations. These test results are made available to you at your next antenatal visit appointment. All abnormal results that require follow up will be communicated to you by your care provider.

Students at Maitland Hospital

The Maitland Hospital, provides important training opportunities for a wide range of health care professionals. Students are always under the direct supervision of an experienced practitioner. You will be asked permission before a student observes or participates in your care and you have the right to say no. Your wishes will be respected at all times and this will not affect your care.

Our future midwives, the midwifery students are available to share your pregnancy journey with you, and can provide a familiar face throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatal experience. Speak to your midwife if you would like to be part of this special program.

Research Participation

You may be invited to participate in research projects taking place in the Maitland Hospital. These projects are designed to increase our knowledge about pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, so that we may improve our services for your care and for women in the future. Participation in research is completely voluntary. The standard of care you receive will not be affected in any way if you choose not to take part.

Overseas Visitors or those who don’t have a Medicare card

Maitland Hospital is a public health care facility. Women not eligible for Medicare benefits will be asked to pay a fee at each visit; this may be reimbursed later by their own Health Insurance Fund.

Antenatal admissions

Some women will require admission to hospital during their pregnancy for their health or the health of their unborn baby.

We aim to make your stay as comfortable as possible in the Maternity unit. Our team of midwives will care for you throughout your stay. Our team of staff doctors will visit you daily and develop a plan of care for you. If you are under the care of a private obstetrician, he/she will visit you on the ward.

The circumstances that have led you to be admitted in your pregnancy may cause you some stress, especially if you are facing a long stay due to difficulties in your pregnancy or you have been transferred to us from another hospital. Please discuss these issues with your midwife. We have additional staff who may offer you support to meet your needs.

Located on the wall at each bedside is a patient care board. This is a useful communication tool that you, your family and your care providers can use to ask questions, share the days plan or write down reminders.

The Maternity ward is made up of a mixture of single and double rooms. Our ward is a combination of antenatal and postnatal women and their babies. However, we are still striving to have your stay as peaceful and comfortable as possible, so you will not hear any audible call bells in our ward (Unless in the case of an emergency).

We encourage expectant mothers to have a rest period between 1pm and 3pm every day. You may like to communicate this to your friends and family.

General information for maternity inpatients

What to bring to hospital when having your baby

COVID-19 Resources for Pregnant women and new parents - click here to download

Please bring all you need for yourself and your baby for one day in 1-2 small overnight bags, as space is limited in the hospital.

For the mother

• Antenatal Record
• You are encouraged to wear your own clothes during labour and birth. A comfortable cotton nightshirt or long T-shirt or sarongs are suitable (you may need more than one if you wish to be covered while in the shower or bath)
• Extra sarong or long scarf to hold heat pack in place as a comfort aid during labour
• Comfortable underwear
• Sanitary adhesive pads
• Maternity bras or “crop top,” breast (nursing) pads (disposable or cloth, not plastic lined)
• Comfortable clothing, suitable when breastfeeding: T-shirts, shorts/trousers or leggings for day wear, pyjamas, nightshirts,
  dressing gown
• Non slip footwear
• Toiletries, tissues, etc
• Massage oil
• Your favourite food and drink to keep up your energy levels, preferably these should be nonperishable; special foods that require cooling or heating must be carried and stored following Safe Food Handling Guidelines
• MP3 or iPod, with selection of music, relaxation and/or affirmations for different stages of labour; some speakers available, but you may bring your own, labelled (all optional but may be helpful)
• Mobile phone
• Camera or smart phone (still photos only)
• Note pad/ book and pen
• Please leave all valuables at home – there is nowhere to secure them safely in the hospital

For the Support person

• Wear ‘closed’ shoes for WH&S safety in the Birthing Service
• Change of clothes/board shorts if assisting mother in shower or bath
• Jacket or warm clothing for cool air conditioning
• Snacks and drinks (following Safe Food Handling Guidelines)
• Toothbrush & paste

For baby

• If you are choosing to feed or supplement feeds with formula during your stay in hospital, please bring a tin of your choice of newborn infant formula, and also at least 2 bottles, teats, & a bottle brush for your use. We no longer provide bottles, teats or formula for well babies.
• One packet of cotton buds (for ‘cord’ care)
• Cloth nappies will be supplied during your hospital stay
• An approved baby restraint as required by law should be fitted to your car; it is strongly suggested that you do this when you are about 34-36 weeks pregnant. If you need help with this, check the Transport NSW website for fitting stations located near you.

We can provide cloth nappies, singlets and baby hospital gowns for you during your stay in hospital. You can use these or provide your own clothes as described below.

• At least three singlets
• At least three sets of clothing (every day clothes, not good ones!)
• At least three bunny rugs/baby wraps (suggest brushed cotton if cold weather, fine cotton or muslin type if warm weather)

Mother and Baby Care Boards

Near each bed you will notice a Mother and Baby Care Board. We use these boards in all ward areas across the hospital to communicate the daily and anticipated plan for care between the woman, the family and carer and healthcare team.

Ward staff will update the board each shift, and you or your family or carer can write comments and questions on it at any time. If you have any questions regarding your care board, please ask one of our staff members. For your safety, we want to work together to plan your care and know what is important to you.

PLEASE INFORM US WHEN YOU LEAVE THE WARD

We need to check if there is anything we should do for you before you go, and confirm what time you plan to return.

REACH: Recognise, Engage, Act, Call, Help

If you or a family member becomes concerned about your condition while in hospital:

• Have you spoken to your midwife or doctor?
• Have your concerns been answered?
• Are you still concerned?

If so, ask your midwife for a ‘Clinical Review’, or you can dial (02) ​40872075 to call an emergency response.

A REACH poster will be displayed beside your bed with this information.

Clinical handover

At Maitland Hospital we aim to provide excellent healthcare for every woman, every time. An important part of this commitment is staff performing a clinical handover at the bedside every shift.

At the handover, the midwife who has been caring for you provides information regarding your care and reason for your admission to the midwife who will be looking after you during the next shift.

The staff will involve you in this process, which will allow you to participate in the planning of your care and ensure that the information that is exchanged is accurate. You will also have an opportunity at this time to ask any questions regarding your care.

Hand Hygiene

Providing a safe environment for clients and staff

Creating a safe environment for patients, visitors to our hospital and our staff is our priority. Any behaviour which compromises the safety of mothers and babies will not be tolerated. Any behaviour which disrupts the ability of our staff to fulfil their duty of care will also not be tolerated.

Should any person display such behaviour they may be asked to leave.

Security

The hospital has a lock down period between 8pm and 6am. Security cameras are located in most areas throughout the hospital and grounds.

Belongings and Valuables

To minimise the chance of misplacing your belongings it is helpful if your items are marked with an identifying label, especially valuables such as glasses and phone chargers.

We do our best to ensure all private items are returned to you if misplaced but we cannot take responsibility for lost items. Valuable items are best left at home for safekeeping. There is no secure environment on the wards to store valuable items.

Car Parking

Car parking is available at Maitland Hospital for a set fee. Free street car parking is also available in surrounding area.

Visiting Hours

Maitland Hospital has an open visiting policy. We acknowledge that new mothers need rest and so we encourage a rest period on the wards between 1pm and 3pm each day.

The majority of our beds are a mix of single rooms and two-bed rooms, so when visiting we ask that you are mindful of this quiet period for your family member and for other women and babies on the ward.

We also request that visitors are up-to-date with the whooping cough vaccination when visiting new babies, and if feeling unwell with colds and flu-like illness, please avoid visiting new mothers and babies.

Smoke Free Health Service

The Maitland Hospital is a smoke-free health service. Smoking is not permitted in the hospital or on hospital grounds. The midwife caring for you will assist you with smoking cessation support if required.

Televisions

Televisions are available for your use at each ward bed at no cost. The television service includes all major television channels.

Other Services Available

Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
Hospital Chaplains and Pastoral Carers are available to all patients and visitors. Please ask one of our friendly staff to contact the service if required.

Places to eat
Woods and Co offer a cage style eatery at front of hospital. There are also small kiosks available for coffee and snacks.

Financial services
An ATM is located at the main entrance of the hospital on Level 2.

Gift shop
There is a small gift shop and newsagency located on ground floor.

Pharmacy

Normal pregnancy timeline