Maternity

Antenatal Classes and Booking for Delivery

Maternity Information

Remember, Maternity is staffed 24 hours a day. If you have any queries or problems before you have your baby or in the first days at home after the baby is born, please feel free to ring the midwife on duty.

When To Come To Hospital
Please ring and report to Maternity as soon as possible if any of the following happen:

Your water breaks (membranes rupture) either a large "gush" of fluid or constant slow trickle or if you are unsure if they have broken.
You have regular painful contractions
Any bright red blood loss
Decrease in baby's movements over 24 hour period

When coming to Maternity at any time, please ring first.
When presenting for admission, bring any letters or paperwork given to you by the doctor.

Telephone Numbers:

Maternity (direct line) 8683 2003
Hospital number 8683 2200

The staff of Maternity wish you a comfortable stay and look forward to sharing your birth experience.

What To Bring To Hospital For Yourself

Personal clothes/toiletries
Sanitary pads; overnight and super (approx 2 packs) then a supply of normal for the next 3 or so days
Watch, biro, tissues
Maternity bras, nursing pads
Pillow if preferred
Change for the public telephone
$2.00 per day for TV hire up to a maximum of $10.00
(The use of talc powder in bathrooms is prohibited, please leave at home).

For The Baby

Clothing to be worn, singlets, growsuits, nighties (approx 5 sets of clothing).
Baby care products, eg baby wash, nappy change lotion, wet wipes.
Bunny rugs to take baby home in
A packet of disposable newborn nappies
A dummy
A bottle with teat and cap

Visiting Hours
Strictly 3.00 pm until 8.00 pm
Rest period is from 1.00 pm until 3.00 pm. No visitors will be allowed during this time.
Phone calls will be restricted at this time.
Visits into Delivery Suites are restricted at all times, please negotiate with the midwife on duty.

Delivery Suites
We encourage you to have a support person (partner, mother or friend) with you while you are in labour. Number of people are kept to a minimum (2-3).
Remember to bring your music, massage oils, glucose lollies and drinks with you, to help comfort you and your support person whilst you are in labour.
Video cameras are not permitted in delivery suite or theatre.

During Your Stay
The midwife will attend you each day of your stay.
Your Doctor will usually visit you daily.

After delivery of your baby the midwife will check:
YOU

Blood pressure, temp. etc.
Amount of bleeding
Breast feeding
Anything else that may be of concern

BABY

Day 3: weigh and cord clamp off
Newborn screen test is attended 48-72 hours after delivery.
Bathing and breast feeding assistance is provided at least daily.
Hepatitis B vaccination given
Check baby's weight before going home.

A nurse from Child and Youth Health (C&YH) may visit while you are in hospital.
A representative from Australian Breastfeeding Association may visit while you are in hospital.
The photographer from the Port Lincoln Times will be happy to take a photograph of you and your baby if you wish.

You and your partner are welcome to go out on leave before you are discharged, either for tea or a drive etc. Please feel free to discuss with your midwife.

Ante Natal Classes

Now you are having a baby, what next other than doctor’s appointments?
Book in for the Early Bird antenatal class as soon as you make your first doctors appointment. Come to the remaining classes around 26—30 weeks gestation.
Book in for your delivery after 30 weeks gestation.

Ante Natal Classes are held on Tuesday Evenings: 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm. approx. 2 hours duration.
Classes cover all aspects of pregnancy, labour and parenting. Early Bird includes how to care for yourself while pregnant, so is best attended in early pregnancy. (14-16 weeks) The remaining classes are best attended close to your due date (26-28 weeks onwards)
For class dates please contact the Hospital.
Classes are held in the physiotherapy gym. Enter through the main entrance and via the corridor next to the kiosk. There is a gold coin donation for each class.

Booking For Delivery
All women expecting to deliver at Port Lincoln Health Services Maternity Unit need to come and make an appointment so that paperwork can be completed.
This should be done after 30 weeks gestation.
Appointments are available on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10.00—4.00 pm. Bookings take half an hour and are with a Midwife who will answer any questions or queries you may have.

Please ring Reception—8683 2200 during office hours who will make an appointment for you.