Congratulations, you are pregnant so your
first midwife or doctor’s appointment should happen before you are 10 weeks. This is a good time to discuss your thoughts,
concerns and wishes with your midwife or doctor who will help guide you through
your pregnancy journey while recognising your individual needs.
If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant and
are yet to see a GP or midwife, contact a GP or midwife to talk
about your pregnancy options.
Sometimes a woman may need to be admitted to
hospital for assessment and monitoring prior to giving birth due to her own
medical condition or that of her unborn baby.
During this time your care will be coordinated by a specialist obstetric
team with the midwives in the ward providing personalised care to you and your
support person.
Pregnancy Care Options
AWH offers inpatient antenatal care, a
Midwife Care Program, compassionate and family focused birthing and postnatal
services and a Domiciliary service whereby you are offered a visit by a midwife
in your home following discharge.
The woman's individual care needs and circumstances will be considered when choosing the most appropriate care model. Some high risk, or at risk, complicated pregnancies may require additional medical or other support. Importantly, we work in partnership
with the woman.
For more information on the Midwife Care Program please visit their page, and here to view our videos on a ward tour, pain management and breastfeeding.
For full pregnancy care options please refer to our Maternity Care Patient Information Booklet.
Booking-in
All women who plan to birth at AWH
Wodonga Hospital will need to book-in.
Please phone 02 6051 7240 for your
appointment. Please book in early, we recommend you book between 12 and 16 weeks.
At this appointment your midwife will talk through your health history and explore available pregnancy care options. Your health, and the health of your baby is important so regular antenatal visits will be scheduled throughout your pregnancy.
Go to PregnancyBirthBaby for information about check-ups, tests and scan during your pregnancy.
Antenatal Classes
Antenatal classes help prepare parents for the arrival of
their baby and provide an understanding of the birth process and what to expect
in the postpartum period. We aim to provide education so you feel well informed
about what to expect and walk away feeling empowered and excited. Any one is
welcome to attend, with a particular focus on encouraging parents expecting
their first baby.
Classes offer information relating to pregnancy, labour and
early parenting and an opportunity for discussion and share experiences with
other parents.
There is a range of classes including all day classes and 4
week series. These are ran face to face at the Wodonga Maternity Unit by one of
our midwives. In certain circumstances, we do have the option to provide these
online.
We also offer several other class options, including our
Young Parent’s class, for those pregnant women 23yrs or younger, free of
charge.
We offer a specific class for patients who are on the
Midwife Care Program at AWH.
Prices vary on the day and style of class. For further
information on dates, class availabilities and to book, please go to the
Trybooking link.
If you have any questions regarding Antenatal Classes,
please contact the Antenatal Reception on (02) 6051 7240
Breastfeeding
AWH recognises the importance of promoting and supporting breastfeeding, however, we acknowledge that not all women choose or are able to
breastfeed.
There are midwives and lactation
consultants available to provide assistance on the ward or in the
special care nursery and free Feeding Support Clinic (by appointment) once
you are home.
Check out the AWH video on breastfeeding
You can also find more information at Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Aboriginal Women – we actively
support the services of the
Koori Maternity Support Worker
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women having a baby. Working
with Albury Wodonga Health they provide additional and culturally appropriate
support during the antenatal period and the postnatal period. AWH
has, in consultation with Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation, recently
launched an Indigenous cultural kit to enhance a positive birthing experience
for Indigenous women. Support is delivered by outreach or within the hospital.
Cultural Considerations – Albury
Wodonga Health acknowledge and is considerate of cultural requirements. We will work with the woman and where
practicable preferences will be met however this cannot be guaranteed.
Overseas Patients – please go to our fees and charges page.
Congratulations on deciding to have
your baby with us at Albury Wodonga Health. We aim to support you to have a
positive birthing experience.
Our dedicated and compassionate team
are trained to care for you and your baby throughout the birth and the exciting
days that follow. We put you and your baby's needs first, focusing on providing
the support and care you require.
We aim to ensure our maternity services:
- are safe and appropriate to you and your baby’s needs;
- are consistent with standards, evidence-informed guidelines and best
practice;
- provide support and care that is
based on partnership, information, choice and informed consent.
Our staff work closely with doctors including obstetricians and paediatricians in the community, which means we will all work together to ensure the best
possible experience for you.
Also, as AWH is a teaching hospital, you
will encounter medical and midwifery students during your interactions with the
maternity unit.
When should I call the hospital?
Be informed and know the signs of early labour remembering that this early stage can take some time. If in doubt call your midwife or the maternity team at
the hospital 02 6051 7250.
I am worried
Please call your midwife or the maternity
team at the hospital on 02 6051 7250, or if you experience any the following:
- your waters break, or
- you experience vaginal bleeding,
or
- your baby is not moving in its
normal pattern, or
- you are less than 37 weeks
pregnant and you have signs of labour, or
- you are concerned about yourself
or your unborn baby, or
- You experience severe constant
pain, or
- You experience severe headache or
blurred vision, or
- You experience very smelly
vaginal discharge, or
- You experience a hard blow to
your tummy, for instance a car accident or a fall, or
- You experience constant itching.
Who can support me in the birth suite?
Your support person can be
your partner, a family member or a friend. This is someone of your choosing and someone who can support you through your labour and
birth.
Please see current AWH guidelines for
restrictions on visitors and birth partners.
When I go into labour?
Always phone the maternity ward
when in labour and or, planning to come in
02 6051 7250.
What are my pain relief options?
Please see the pain management in labour video produced by AWH here.
I am being induced
Typically an induction is offered because:
- your pregnancy has gone longer
than 41 weeks – an induction may be planned so that you give birth to your baby
by 42 weeks;
- you have a health concern, such
as high blood pressure;
- your doctor or midwife is
concerned about your baby’s growth, movements or well being;
- your waters have broken and
labour has not started on its own.
An induction is always carried out in a
hospital maternity unit, with your informed consent while still under the care
of the midwifery and medical team. Your doctor will discus this procedure with you at your appointments so you are sure about the process. For further information go to Safer Care Victoria induction of labour.
I am having a caesarean section
For women booked for a caesarean section
(C-section) you will be admitted on the morning of your scheduled surgery. In the weeks leading up to your planned
caesarean section
will
be required to attend an antenatal anaesthetic assessment clinic at the
Maternity Unit where you will speak to both a member of the anaesthetics team
and a midwife. Here you will have the opportunity to discuss your questions and
plans.
Women who have had a
caesarean section are planned for discharge 72 hours following the birth of
their baby.
We look forward to making your
first days with your newborn comfortable and happy. With a dedicated team around you, we will
help support you while you get to know your new baby.
Our midwifery team will assist you with parenting skills
including breastfeeding or bottle feeding techniques, settling methods and how
to change, bathe and wrap your baby, while also providing additional care to women
who require increased medical support.
Your
baby will be assessed by a doctor prior to discharge and they will also provide care planning to women and babies who require specialised care
both before and following birth.
Discharge times vary according to the
individual, but generally if you had an uncomplicated vaginal birth you can
expect to be discharged within 48 hours, if you had a caesarean section (C-Section) discharge will
be within 72 hours post-surgery.
Time in the post-natal ward will ensure you can recuperate
from the birthing process and ensure the wellbeing off you and your baby. Additional support with feeding, breastfeeding, parenting education as well physical and psychological health
care is available if required.
You will be supported to
settle at home as soon as possible after the birth, with a focus on your needs and those of your baby. The Midwife will discuss hospital discharge with you and how you can be supported with
individualised care.
My first days at home
The hospital will organise the domiciliary
midwife to attend your home, (with your consent), in the first two days from discharge. If
you live out of the allocated region we can organise the Outreach Midwife to visit you. You are then discharged and the relevant maternal and child health service will contact
you depending on where you live.
For Victorian residents the Victorian Maternal and Child Health Service is a free universal primary health service available for
all Victorian families with children from birth to school age.
For NSW residents, the NSW Child and Family Health Nursing Services, child and family health nurses play a key role in the provision
of community child and family health services and provide early contact with
families.
Feeding Support Service
There are midwives and lactation consultants
available to provide additional assistance on the ward and free breastfeeding
support clinics re available once
you are home.
The Albury Wodonga Health Tresillian Parents and Babies Service offer guidance to support parents in the early years of a child's life, include settling, crying, feeding and emotional health.
Perinatal Emotional Health Program
We recognise that pregnancy and the arrival of a baby can be a mixture of joy and anxiety, and there is much to prepare for both physically and emotionally. Albury Wodonga Health, Mental Health's team offer a Perinatal Emotional Health Program with access to early motherhood groups across Wodonga, Albury and Wangaratta.