Maternity and Neonatal Care - St John of God Health Care

Maternity and
Neonatal Care
Hospitality I Compassion I Respect I Justice I Excellence
Maternity Care
The birth of your baby is a time of great
excitement and joy for you, your partner
and extended family.
At St John of God Berwick, our Maternity
Care Unit offers family centred care in
a warm and friendly setting with care
options designed to fit your family’s needs.
Two maternity care options are available:
Traditional hospital stay
Midwives @ Home – covered by your
private health insurance
You can choose the traditional hospital
stay for the entire duration of your
postnatal care or combine your hospital
stay with our Midwives @ Home program.
Midwives @ Home is a service for families
who choose an early discharge and want
to complete their postnatal care in the
comfort of their own home.
breastfeeding support. We firmly believe
in personalised, responsive and familycentred care, so that your birthing
experience with St John of God Hospital
meets your expectations.
Please speak to your midwife about care
options either before or after the birth of
your baby.
Our Midwives
Our highly skilled
midwives will
support you
and your family
during your
pregnancy, birth
and postnatal
care. Our midwives
are also trained
Lactation Consultants to
help you and your baby with
“
family
centred care in
a warm
and friendly
setting
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”
Our Obstetricians and
Paediatricians
Our well respected obstetricians
and paediatricians provide
expert medical care. Your
chosen obstetrician will guide
you through your pregnancy
and birth including your antenatal healthcare which will involve
screening, tests & ultrasounds.
Maternity Care Unit Services &
Facilities
16 private rooms
4 birth suites
Level 2 Special Care Nursery
Childbirth education classes
Parenting and Grandparents classes
Pre and postnatal physiotherapy classes
Breastfeeding Clinic
Access to our Raphael Centre, to
assist families experiencing anxiety or
depression related to pregnancy or
childbirth
Midwives @ Home
Arranging your stay
Tours / information sessions
Prior to making a booking, you are
welcome to tour all areas of our Maternity
Care Unit, meet the team and view the
hospital’s facilities. We offer weekly tours
and monthly information sessions. Please
visit www.sjog.org.au/berwick for a
list of dates and times. Alternatively, call
9709 1400 and our team will be happy to
reserve a place for you at the next available
tour / information session.
Bookings
Bookings are conducted by an experienced
midwife who will be happy to answer all
your questions. During your appointment
we will record your health history, organise
parenting and childbirth education classes
and provide you with pregnancy and
childbirth literature to read. Please bring
your Medicare card and health insurance
details to you booking appointment.
Your length of stay will be determined by
your condition and individual care needs.
Generally, ladies who have a vaginal
delivery will stay 4 nights and ladies who
have delivered by caesarean section will
stay 5 nights.
Discharge is between 9am - 10am.
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Childbirth Education
Childbirth education classes comprise
of one physiotherapy and four midwife
sessions and is included in your private
health insurance. The cost for selffunded patients is $100. The classes
cover antenatal care, preparing for birth,
breastfeeding and early parenting.
You are encouraged to start classes
between 24 and 28 weeks’ gestation.
By attending classes, you will become
familiar with the hospital and our team of
midwives. It is also an opportunity to meet
and share experiences with other couples.
Childbirth education classes are delivered
as evening sessions over a 4 week period,
or an all day weekend session to allow you
to choose an option that best suits your
lifestyle.
Childbirth education:
Vaginal birth, stages of labour, coping
strategies
Variations from vaginal birth, assisted
deliveries, caesarean section, pain relief
What to expect during your hospital stay
Childbirth Education program
outline:
Care of your newborn – feeding,
sleeping and settling techniques
Class dates will be arranged at your
booking appointment.
Preparation for going home
Physiotherapy class - $25 per
class:
These monthly classes are optional. Please
refer to the enclosed flyer for more details.
Prenatal exercises/preparation for birth
Relaxation techniques for labour
Refresher course:
This one evening session is available to
couples who would like an update since
the birth of their last baby.
Venue:
Stephenson House, St John of God Berwick
Hospital, Gibb Street, Berwick
Breathing techniques
Time:
Post birth exercises
Monday or Thursday, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Saturday workshop, 10:30am – 3:30pm
Please call (03) 9709 1400 with any
questions.
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Grandparent Classes
Our Grandparent class is run by an
experienced midwife who is also a
grandmother. These classes will update
your parents on the latest techniques
including current breastfeeding, settling
and sleeping techniques. Attendance is by
gold coin donation.
When to come to Hospital
We are available 24 hours a day for advice
and support. Please call 9709 1400 if you
have any concerns about your pregnancy
or labour. You must come to the hospital if:
Your membranes rupture (waters break)
Your contractions are occurring at
regular intervals or your contractions are
causing distress
You are experiencing any blood loss
CA
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You notice a decrease in foetal
movement
24hrs a day
365 days a year
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During your stay
Birth Suites
Our four birth suites are fully equipped
with en-suite facilities. We encourage an
active birth and have beanbags, fit balls
and mats available. Your midwife will
support you during labour and birth.
Having your partner present at the birth
is a very special time which will stay with
you forever. We therefore encourage your
partner to be involved during your labour
and birth. Please arrange for your partner
to keep your loved ones informed as our
midwives cannot share details about your
progress of labour while you are in Birth
Suite. Each birthing room has a phone that
you and your partner are welcome to use.
All meals are provided for your partner
while you are in labour, free of charge.
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All your meals are provided with a small fee
charged for partner meals. If you have any
special dietary requirements or would like
advice from our dietitian, please speak with
your midwife.
Special Care Nursery
We have a Level 2 Special Care Nursery
to care for newborns from 34 weeks’
gestation. The Nursery has specific
neonatal equipment and your baby will
be monitored round-the-clock by our
specialist team of neonatal midwives.
The most common reasons for your baby
requiring admission to a Level 2 Nursery
are:
Jaundice
Infection
Immediately after the birth of your baby,
your baby will be identified with name
bands and your midwife will support you
to feed your baby. Please discuss with us
any matter that will make your birthing
experience more fulfilling and comfortable
for you.
If your baby requires Level 3 intensive care,
our Nursery is fully equipped to stabilise
and transport your baby to a Level 3
facility.
Accommodation
Level 3 nurseries are located at:
Our 16 private rooms have en-suite, TV,
phone, plug-in internet access, bar fridge.
Your partner is welcome to stay with you
for the entire duration of your hospital stay.
Nappies and bath solution are provided
during your hospital stay.
A small lockable drawer is in your room.
However, please do not bring in valuables
including large amounts in cash, bankcards
and non-essential jewellery as we cannot
accept responsibility for any loss.
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Respiratory distress
Baby of a diabetic mother
The Royal Women’s Hospital
The Royal Children’s Hospital
Monash Medical Centre
Mercy
When your baby no longer requires level
3 intensive care support, your baby is
welcome to return to our level 2 nursery
for the remainder of your infant’s nursery
stay.
Visiting Hours
General visiting hours are: 2:30pm – 4pm
and 7pm – 8pm. We do have unrestricted
visiting hours for your partner.
Pastoral Care / Raphael Centre
Care
St John of God Berwick can provide you
with additional support through our
Pastoral Practitioners who are qualified
counsellors.
If you are experiencing anxiety or
depression either during your pregnancy
or after childbirth we can arrange the
necessary support for you through our
specialists at the SJOG Raphael Centre,
Berwick.
Going Home
Your obstetrician will advise you when you
will go home. We will help arrange any
assistance that you may require at home.
Please ensure your baby travels in a secure
car seat.
Feedback
Your feedback is important to us to
ensure we can continually improve our
service. Please take the time to complete
a Comments & Complaints form or ask to
speak with the Maternity Care Manager.
What to bring to Hospital
Loose fitting comfortable day clothes
Socks / 3 x maternity bras
Night-wear including dressing gown
and slippers
Toiletries
3 packets of maternity pads
For your baby
Baby wipes
6 night gowns or grow suits
6 singlets
6 bunny rugs – a combination of thick
and thin
An approved, registered car seat
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About St John of God Health Care
St John of God Berwick Hospital is a division of St John of God
Health Care, a Catholic not-for-profit health care provider. As well
as hospitals, home nursing and pathology services, we provide
Social Outreach and Advocacy services which reach out to people
experiencing disadvantage to improve health and wellbeing.
Gibb Street, Berwick VIC 3806
T. 03 9709 1414 F. 03 9707 4135
E. info.berwick@sjog.org.au
www.sjog.org.au/berwick
Follow us on:
facebook.com/st john of god berwick hospital
SGHBKBCH3113 04/13
We strive to serve the common good by providing holistic, ethical
and person centred care and support. We aim to go beyond quality
care to provide an experience for people that honours their dignity, is
compassionate and affirming and leaves them with a reason to hope.