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Other Available Services |
Midwifery In The Home (M.I.T.H.)This is a program offered by the Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus (AWHWC). Selected patients referred by their Doctor who would normally be cared for in hospital, have the opportunity to be cared for in their own home. This results in less stress to the family unit caused by the separation. Midwives will visit you in your own home. Community Midwife ProgramCommunity Midwife Program is an established community service based from the Obstetrics Unit of the AWHWC. A home visit to all mothers discharged from the Obstetrics Unit is offered. A Midwife is available for home visits seven days a week. If you need to speak to the Community Midwife by phone, call 60517250 and ask to be put through to the Community Midwife. Care is available for antenatal home visits when ordered by the doctor, as well as for extended care for mother and baby after discharge if there is a need, or if a mother chooses early discharge. The program provides continuity and confidence for those mothers wishing to discharge early from hospital and also for those mothers and babies requiring additional support. After discharge from the Obstetrics Unit the Community Midwife will visit you in the comfort and privacy of your own home to continue your postnatal care. The main advantage of this is that it enables you to establish a maternal and infant bond with the guidance of Midwives in an environment, which is familiar and comforting to you. Breastfeeding SupportThe Midwives will educate and encourage mothers with breastfeeding. Videos and information on breast-feeding are available whilst in the ward. Further support service information is available including Nursing Mothers Association of Australia. http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au Special Care NurseryThere are many reasons your baby may need to be admitted to the Special Care Nursery. For example — premature infants, infants born unexpectantly small for term or near term, infants who have problems with breathing, infants with jaundice or infants who require extra or close observation. Whatever the problem your Doctor or Midwives will explain to you the reason. Do not hesitate to ask your Doctor or Midwives any questions you may have, they understand and are always willing to discuss all aspects of your infants care or any concerns you may have. The length of time that your baby will stay in the Special Care Nursery will depend on why he or she was admitted. When your baby no longer requires 24 hour care he / she will be transferred out to the Obstetrics Ward to "room — in" with you. However should your baby require an extended length of stay you will be discharged prior to your infant. Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their infants' care. As your infants' condition improves, you will be able to become more involved in your baby's daily routine care in activities such as, feeding, changing nappies and bathing. These procedures will be explained to you beforehand. Visiting the NurseryAlthough your baby may be sick or premature, your baby still needs lots of love, care and attention. We have an open visiting policy in the nursery, allowing parents and family to visit their baby 24 hours a day. Please feel free to phone the nursery anytime day or night. Feeding Your BabyWhether you breastfeed or formula feed is your decision. You may ask the question, "How can I feed my baby when they are sick?" If your baby is sick or premature your baby may not be able to breastfeed initially. You will have to express your milk into a plastic container and this milk will be fed to your baby via a bottle or tube. Expression of the breasts, by hand or electric pump may need to be done regularly to stimulate the milk supply. The Midwives will explain and assist you. The nursing staff will give you plastic bottles to store your milk. Please use them for collection and storage of expressed milk as glass reduces some of the protective properties of the milk. After expressing, please record the time and date on the side of the bottle. Expressed breast milk should be stored in the refrigerator preferably not frozen. If you wish your baby to be formula fed, an appropriate feed of your choice will be commenced. Boarder Rooming-InIf required this service is offered to mothers who have been discharged prior to their infant. When your baby is ready for discharge, you may be able to "room in" with your baby for 24 hours under the guidance of the Midwives, to help you and your baby adjust to each other. There is a fee that covers the cost of your meals. Family SupportFamily Support assistance is available for all clients and families. Contact can be made before or during admission, or after discharge. The aim of Family Support help is to improve the quality of peoples' lives. This can be done through helping them to adjust to changes that have an impact on physical, emotional and social well-being. The Family Support Worker provides understanding and action. Professional counselling, practical support, information and/or referral to community agencies can be provided if necessary. The Family Support Worker is a skilled and experienced professional, whose job it is to help people help themselves. Often it is helpful to have someone to talk to, someone to listen or advise. Personal issues and practical problems can be discussed in confidence with the Family Support Worker. Referrals to talk with the Family Support Worker can be made directly, or via the nursing or medical staff. The Family Support Worker can be contacted on (02) 6051 7242. PhysiotherapyOn the Wards Our Physiotherapist offers post natal exercise sessions and is available to provide treatment and advice on a range of issues each week day on the ward. Early Bird Antenatal ClassA single session educates women about back care, managing pregnancy aches and pains, the importance of general fitness and specific strengthening exercise including pelvic floor exercises. The class is open to pregnant women 16 weeks and over and is held in the Physiotherapy Department of the Community Rehabilitation Centre, Albury Wodonga Health - Wodonga Campus in Vermont Street. Phone the Physiotherapy Department on 6051 7420 for bookings and further information. DietitianOur Dietetic Service provides advice and support for women who require diet assistance. Contact can be made before or during admission or after discharge. Aboriginal SupportAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Support Services are available. An Aboriginal Liaison Officer is available to assist you and address your needs. Antenatal classes and Booking-in times can be arranged through the Liaison Officer.
Discharge PlanningThe hospital has a Discharge Planning Officer who can coordinate services and address issues regarding your discharge if required. Access to this service is through the Nurse Manager. You are asked to plan your discharge prior to admission to hospital. On the day of discharge, it is asked that you leave the ward by 11 am. Post Acute CareThe Post Acute Care Service (PACS) is aimed at assisting patient's recovering from an acute hospital episode 4-6 weeks post discharge. This includes medical, surgical, children and Obstetrics patients. The PACS provides any type of service that may be required by patients with special needs. It is tailored to meet individual circumstances. To receive more information as to whether you are eligible for PACS contact the Obstetrics Unit staff before or during your stay who will then contact the PACS Coordinator for you. Referrals to Community Support ServicesMaternal Child Health Care Centres, Victoria Phone 1800 134 883 Early Childhood Health Centres, NSW Parentline Phone 132 055 Albury Community Health CentresNursing Mothers Association Mercy Health Service Parents & Babies Support UnitPhone (02) 60421446 Learn how to successfully breast feed and settle your baby. The parents and babies unit provides more intensive support for families than is able to be managed in the Early Childhood / Maternal & Child Health Centres and is FREE OF CHARGE. The service is available to parents from both NSW and Victoria. The unit is open to parents with babies up to 12 months of age. Access may be by self referral, doctor or health professional. Due to the high demand for this service and its limited capacity, an appointment must be made prior to attending the service. Services provided by qualified staff are:
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URL: http://www.awh.org.au/services/obstetrics/Other.htm |
