SJOG MURDOCH HOSPITAL

Hospital admission: When does this happen? What to expect?

Especially if this is your first baby, you might wonder when exactly to go to the hospital, as your due date becomes closer. Other typical questions: Which symptoms do I need to have before I go to the hospital? As you read this, you may even be at the stage where you are comparing the Perth hospitals and preparing to choose a private maternity clinic.

So what should make you go to hospital? As your labour commences, you may feel regular, painful contractions. When we say regular, we’re talking about contractions occurring every 10 to 15 minutes. Clear or blood-stained, or green fluid discharge from the vagina is another sign that you may be going into labour.

If any of these things happen or you are just not sure what is happening, please ring the hospital. The midwives will then advise you when to come into hospital, and after they have assessed you, they will contact the obstetrician.

If you live in the Perth metro area and are a bit further away from St John of God Murdoch Hospital, we recommend that you check your route before the day. At this stage, it may be wise to check alternative routes and to have a clear understanding of where you need to go, park your car, and what other arrangements need to be made depending on your family situation.

Induction

An ‘induction of labour’ may need to be discussed, if there are reasons to bring your delivery forward, or if there are any concerns about the baby. In this case you would not wait to go into labour naturally. In case this is the recommended approach for your delivery, the obstetrician will go over the reasons in full detail with you. They will also make sure that you have gone over the process of an induced delivery with them.

Labour and Birth

Possibly one of the most important things with regards to your delivery or birthing method, is to be flexible. With birth, things do not always proceed as you expect. Our role as a team is to give you the best advice and support we can, as you prepare for the big day.
During your delivery, you will be cared for primarily by the midwives on the St Mary’s maternity ward at St John of God Murdoch Hospital. They are the people best placed to give you excellent care in the setting of a quality private maternity hospital here in Perth. A midwife will be with you throughout your labour and birth, regardless of your birthing method.

During your antenatal appointments, make sure you discuss your wishes for labour and birth.
You may have a whole range of questions in case this is your first pregnancy. You may have practical questions about who can attend your delivery on the day, on the ward. The obstetrician and midwife will be available for you during your antenatal appointments, to prepare your delivery and to go over all your questions.

If you have any particular preferences or concerns as the day approaches, it is important to also discuss them with your attending midwife on the ward at Murdoch, when you are in labour and when you come to the hospital.

Vaginal birth, c-section or emergency c-section

We aim to work with you to optimise your chance of having the birth that you would like. Unfortunately, we are not always able to achieve this and this is why it is important to be flexible.

There are some absolute reasons for needing a caesarean or a c-section;

If your placenta is completely covering your cervix which blocks the baby’s access to the ‘exit’.
If your baby is in a breech position at the end of your pregnancy. Only 3% of babies are in this position, and there is the option of trying to turn the baby through an ‘ECV procedure’. With External Cephalic Version, your obstetrician tries to turn the baby so he or she is head down. If the baby will not turn, then a caesarean section is safer for the baby.
For Twin pregnancy we offer both vaginal birth or caesarean section but your individual circumstances may dictate which route is necessary.

The other reasons for caesarean section are;

• If the baby becomes distressed during labour.
• If your cervix is not dilating.

If we have any concerns about what is happening in your labour we will be upfront. The conversation will be about maximising the chance of having a successful vaginal birth, and obviously about your baby’s and your own safety. This is where your flexibility, to deviate from the original expected birth plan, will be very important.

Hospital stay

So how long will I have to stay in hospital once I have had my baby? It depends.
After you have had your baby, you will stay in hospital for on average between 3 and 6 days. How long exactly will depend on any concerns with yourself or the baby. Every baby and every Mum are different, and there is no set amount of time for how long you should both stay in hospital.

What will also influence the duration of your hospital stay is how long it takes to establish feeding and nursing. The midwives at St John of God Murdoch Hospital in the St Mary’s ward will be there for you to help you and to answer any questions that you may have.

During this time your obstetrician will do regular ward rounds and we will check on your wellbeing and ensure everything is going okay. Marie, the practice midwife, will also come and see you on the maternity ward. Mums tell us that it is great to see another familiar and friendly face to ask questions or to simply ‘show off’ your new baby to.

Normally, your partner will be able to board with you in the hospital, so that they are able to assist with care for your baby in the early days.

Although you are unlikely to be in a routine with your new baby, the hospital has taken care of your needs with their new ‘room service’ menu. It simply means that you can eat whenever it is convenient to you and your baby.

Going home

Once you have established feeding and are comfortable to go home you will be discharged from St John of God Murdoch Hospital. Depending on where you live in the Perth metro area, you will now be ready for your first trip in the car with your newborn.
Don't forget, you will need to have your car seat fitted prior to this big moment. It is mandatory to have a suitable and compliant car seat fitted, before you are allowed to take your baby in the car.

Postnatal care

After your delivery - and depending on whether you live in the Perth area or remotely - you can count on support in the community, from your local child health nurse for example. The hospital team will give you contact details, depending on where you live.

Depending on your overall health, the timing of your discharge, and your health fund, you may also be eligible for St John of God Healthcare at Home. The service may include home visits by a midwife and/or a lactation consultant.

Your postnatal care with our team here at the practice does not stop after your baby’s birth.
Marie is always available during office hours so you can speak to an experienced midwife who you know and have met. If there are any concerns she will get you to come into the clinic and if necessary you can still see the obstetrician. They will offer you a follow-up, postnatal appointment 6 to 8 weeks after the birth of your baby.