Maternity Services

Description

 

Portland District Health provides a 24-hour midwifery service. The service includes antenatal, labour and delivery, post-natal care and domiciliary care with support for breastfeeding and parenting.

As of 01 July 2019, we also provide the Maternal Child and Health Services for the Glenelg Shire.  See our operating hours here.

The Midwifery team can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 03 55210 691.

Our Philosophy

At Portland District Health we view uncomplicated pregnancy and childbirth as a normal healthy life event.
We believe every birth is a unique event, and women should receive care appropriate to the social, personal and cultural needs throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and in the days following discharge home.  We encourage women and their families to be actively involved in their transition to parenthood.

Our Service

It is recommended that women, their families and the community know and understand what care is offered at the local health service.

Maternity care at PDH is shared between your GP, our specialist Obstetrician and a team of dedicated midwives.

At Portland District Health we provide low risk birthing services for women with term pregnancies (between 37 – 42 weeks). Those women who develop complications or go into labour less than 37 completed pregnancy weeks, will be referred to a specialist located at a larger regional hospital for birth of the baby.

Portland District Health offer care for pregnant women who are having their first baby, and also care for women who have had a previous caesarean section and are wishing for a vaginal birth (VBAC) in the next pregnancy.

Portland District Health also provides postnatal and domiciliary care to women who give birth at other hospitals.

Services provided at Portland

  1. Booking In Service
    2. Antenatal Care & check ups
    3. Pregnancy & Birth education classes
    4. Antenatal monitoring (cardiotocograph) if required
    5. Antenatal Ultrasounds
    6. Labour & birth care
    7. Post birth care
    8. Breastfeeding support
    9. Home visit following discharge home
  2. Specialist Obstetric services

The Maternity department has 2 birthing suites with ensuites that are utilised for labour and delivery. Women are then transferred into a private room and encouraged and welcomed to have their support person stay and ‘room in’ with them for the duration of their stay.

The midwifery team at Portland District Health offer the following:

– Individualised, professional and highly skilled midwifery care

– Flexibility with Midwifery appointments

– Single rooms for maternity patients (If available)

– Support person encouraged and able to ‘room in’

– Free Wi-Fi internet

– Wireless monitoring (if required) during labour

– Multidisciplinary medical team available if required including anaesthetist for pain relief including epidural

– Antenatal education classes

– Complimentary welcome gift including a handmade quilt and knitted beanie for all babies born at PDH.

– Free Australian Breast Feeding Association membership offered to all pregnant women who birth at Portland District Health.

Links

Breastfeeding Information and Assistance
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) – www.breastfeeding.asn.au

Better Health channel
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au – Information and support links; pregnancy, parenting and services.

Quit Information line
Ph 13 18 48

Postnatal & Parenting Support

24 hr Maternal & Child Health Line
Ph; 132 229

Post & Antenatal depression Association (PaNDA)
Ph; (03) 9428 4600

https://panda.org.au/

Beyond Blue
1300224636

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Immunisation programme
1300 882 008

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/vaccination-of-infants-and-children

Kidsafe
www.kidsafe.com.au – Child accident prevention

Your Pregnancy

There are many steps you can take to help yourself through pregnancy and prepare for childbirth and parenthood. A healthy lifestyle includes eating well, keeping fit with regular exercise and avoiding smoking. It is also important in pregnancy to attend regular checkups and to avoid alcohol and drugs unless they are recommended or prescribed by your doctor. Remind your doctor or other health professional that you are pregnant.

Dental health is important during pregnancy as hormonal changes affect your gums. Bleeding gums is a common problem during pregnancy and care needs to be taken with tooth brushing and flossing. A visit to the dentist is recommended whilst pregnant, and remember to inform them that you are pregnant. This is a free service at PDH for those that are pregnant or breastfeeding and hold a health care card.

When to notify your doctor/midwife/hospital

It is recommended that irrespective of when your baby is due, you contact your hospital or carer if you have any of the following:

  • any vaginal bleeding
  • Any change in your baby’s movement pattern
  • any pain that doesn’t go away
  • waters break (membranes rupture)
  • a concern your waters may have broken
  • a high temperature
  • vomiting that will not stop
  • an unrelenting headache
  • visibility loss or blurred vision
  • widespread itching of the skin
  • sudden swelling of face, hands and feet
  • any worries.

Student midwives & Doctors

At times there will be midwifery students and doctors at the hospital working with the midwife. It is your right to refuse permission for the student to be involved in your care, but it is greatly appreciated when students are given this important supervised learning opportunity.

Coming to hospital

Please contact the midwife on 55210691 when you are in labour. If this call is not successful, phone north ward for further assistance: 55210348.  The midwife will provide instructions over the phone on where to present. This will either be through main reception or via Urgent Care Centre. There are occasional days when a doctor may not be available when you come into labour. At these times you will be transferred for ongoing care. It is important that you are an Ambulance Victoria member to cover this possibility. Full health care cards cover ambulance.

What to bring

It is advisable to pack your bag several weeks before your due date.

You need:

  • Comfortable clothing for your stay (consider clothing suitable for labour and breastfeeding)
  • 6 pair of underpants
  • Nursing bra and breast pads
  • Footwear
  • 2-3 packets of sanitary pads (maternity size recommended)
  • Toiletries
  • Plastic bag for washing

Optional:

  • Music  for labour, including Bluetooth speaker
  • Lip balm; massage/aromatherapy oils
  • Camera, batteries, video camera, phone charger
  • Light snacks/icy poles/sweets
  • Pillow
  • Pen and paper

Your baby needs:

  • Clothes nappy and bunny rug for going home
  • Baby wipes/baby wash (if desired)
  • Mittens (optional)
  • If bottle feeding, you will need to supply formula, bottles and teats
  • Approved infant car restraint fitted to your vehicle

We suggest you wash all baby clothes before use. Never store baby clothes or bedding in mothballs (naphthalene) as they can be toxic.

Visitors:

Visiting hours for midwifery patients are flexible in acknowledgment of the important role visitors fulfil in the wellbeing of the patients in our care. Certain circumstances may require the implementation of restricted visiting time for some patients.

How to register to receive Midwifery care at Portland District Health:

Women wanting to receive care at Portland District Health will need a referral from their GP. Once the Midwives receive the referral, they will contact the woman to organise a booking in appointment for around 14 week’s gestation. Women who plan on birthing at alternative hospitals are also encourage to register with the midwifery team.

For further information contact the midwives on 55210691