Eastern Health

Congratulations and best wishes for the coming birth of your baby.

At Eastern Health we are committed to providing a maternity service where the medical and midwifery staff provides quality care and support during this very special time. A comprehensive range of support services include physiotherapy, social work, dietitian and health psychology. Special midwifery support services include gestational diabetes education, young women’s birthing program and support for pregnant women with a past or present history of drug and alcohol use.

The following information is provided to assist you in preparing for your stay in our Maternity Unit. If you require further information you can contact the hospital where you have made your maternity booking using the telephone numbers provided in this leaflet, or via the Telephone Interpreter Service which provides a free telephone interpreter link up to the hospital.

The Telephone Interpreter Service phone number is: 131450

HOSPITAL PHONE NUMBERS:
ANGLISS HOSPITAL
Phone: 9764 6111 Ask to be connected through to Delivery Suite to speak to a midwife who will advise you regarding admission to hospital or help with any concerns you may have about your well being during the pregnancy.

BIRRALEE MATERNITY SERVICE, BOX HILL
For all clinic appointments and pregnancy concerns or for admission, phone: 9895 3333
Please ask for Booking, Antenatal clinic or your team i.e.: either Green or Ruby teams. For ‘Know Your Midwife’ (KYM) program please ask for Ruby team.

HEALESVILLE & DISTRICT HOSPITAL
Phone: 5962 4300 to speak to a midwife to arrange admission to hospital or regarding any concerns you may have about your well being during the pregnancy.

WHERE TO COME FOR ADMISSION

ANGLISS HOSPITAL
The main hospital entrance is open between 7.00am and 9.00pm. Enter via Talaskia Street, Ferntree Gully.
Enter via Accident & Emergency off Albert Street, Ferntree Gully between 9.00pm and 7.00am and at any time for urgent admission or when you are in labour.
Take the stairs or lift to Delivery Suite on the 3rd Floor. A wheelchair can be arranged if required by asking at reception.
Parking is available in the public car park in Talaskia Road. A fee applies. Council parking limits apply to street parking.

BIRRALEE MATERNITY SERVICE
Birralee Maternity Service is accessed via Thames Street entrance. There is a bell/intercom at the door if you arrive after hours. Parking for the day of the babies birth only is available in the car park off the Thames Street entrance. At all other times please use council parking in the street.

HEALESVILLE & DISTRICT HOSPITAL
Enter the hospital through the main entrance. Proceed to the nurse’s station where your midwife will meet you. Parking is free of charge and accessed via Maroondah Highway.

VISITING HOURS

ANGLISS HOSPITAL
2pm-4pm & 6pm-8pm
Rest Period 12 midday – 2pm strictly.
Your partner and children may visit at any time between 8am – 9pm.

BIRRALEE MATERNITY SERVICE
2pm-4pm & 6pm-8pm
Rest Period 12 midday – 2pm. No visitors at this time.
Your partner and children may visit between 8am – 12 midday and 2pm-9pm.

HEALESVILLE & DISTRICT HOSPITAL
2pm-4.30pm & 6.00pm-8pm
Rest Period 12 midday – 2pm. No visitors at this time.
Your partner and children may visit between 8am – 12midday and 2pm – 9pm.

WHEN TO CONTACT THE HOSPITAL

It is very important to contact the Birthing Suite and obtain advice from a midwife, if you have any of the following:

Any vaginal bleeding
Contractions or abdominal cramping before 37 weeks gestation i.e. more than 3 weeks before your due date. This may be premature labour.
If your baby is less active than usual.
When your membranes rupture (waters break) or you think they may have. You will notice this as a sudden gush or slow trickle of fluid from the vagina.
If you have a constant headache or visual problems such as blurred vision or spots before the eyes. This may mean that your blood pressure is too high.
Sudden or increasing swelling of hands, feet, legs or face, which can also sometimes mean your blood pressure is too high.
Pain which is persistent or severe
Vomiting
When you are in labour and having regular painful contractions (these are felt in the lower abdomen or back) and no longer feel comfortable at home.
If you have any concerns or are worried about your wellbeing.

WHAT TO BRING TO HOSPITAL

FOR YOU

Comfortable day clothes
Night wear
Underwear (pants and maternity bras)
Dressing gown
Slippers / shoes
Sanitary pads
Breast pads (washable or disposable, not plastic lined)
Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste)
Box of tissues
Pen
Watch or small clock
Own pillow (Optional)
Hot/cold pack (Birralee and Healesville only. Please note that wheat packs cannot be used; gel packs are preferred)

It is helpful to have the things you will need for labour and immediately after your baby’s birth packed in the top of your suitcase or bag. These include: 1 comfortable night gown or long t-shirt to wear during labour, 1 other nightgown, 2 pairs of underwear, toiletries, sanitary pads, glucose lollies, 1 set of baby clothes – singlet, grow suit and baby wrap.

FOR YOUR BABY

Hat, booties, mittens
4 grow suits
4 singlets
2 baby wrap
Packet of cotton balls
Baby bath wash or baby soap
Disposable nappies (Birralee only, cloth nappies are supplied during your stay at Angliss)
Clothes and nappy for baby to wear home
If you plan to formula feed only:

Angliss – formula
Birralee – Two feeding bottles, teats, formula
Please ensure that all items are clearly labelled.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO BRING

Blood Group Card
Medicare and/or Health Insurance card
Change for Phone or Phone Card
Money to pay for hire of T.V. or bedside phone if desired
Camera (optional). Use of video cameras during the birth is not permitted

Please do not bring valuable jewellery or large amounts of money with you. The hospital does not accept any liability in respect of loss or damage to property kept by patients.

FEEDING YOUR BABY

The midwives will support and assist you with breast feeding or formula feeding your baby. Exclusive breast feeding is recommended for the first 6 months. Benefits of breast feeding include reduced risk of infection and illness such as asthma and diabetes and reduced risk of allergy.

YOUR CARE IN HOSPITAL

Specialist Obstetricians, General Practitioner Obstetricians, Paediatricians and Anaesthetists provide a 24 hour “on call” service supported by hospital doctors. As Eastern Health facilities are public teaching hospitals a student midwife or medical student may also participate in your care under the supervision of your midwife or doctor.

MIDWIFERY HOMECARE

A midwife will visit you at home following your discharge from hospital.

SMOKING POLICY

All Eastern Health facilities are smoke free. No smoking is permitted except in strictly limited designated outdoor areas.

EASTERN HEALTH MATERNITY INFORMATION