Maternity: Your Hospital Stay

Your Hospital Stay

Staff

The staff of the Nareena ward are Midwives and Mothercraft Nurses with skills in Birthing, Postnatal care and Neonatal care. We employ Student Midwives who are completing the Masters in Midwifery at the University of Wollongong.

The Nareena ward is staffed with a Nurse Unit Manager assisted by a Birthing Suite and Special Care Nursery Nurse Unit Manager. Clinical Nurse Specialists are employed within a number of key positions across the Nareena ward.

Should you have any comments or concerns please ask to see a manager. Please ensure you read all patient information provided during your stay and be aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Birthing Suite

Our Birthing Suites are equipped with ensuites, spa baths, televisions, telephones, sofa beds, tea and coffee facilities and a private courtyard. A fully equipped Operating Theatre is nearby to deal with any complications.

You may have 2 support persons with you during birth. If assisting you in the bath or shower they will require suitable attire i.e., swimming costumes. We encourage your partner to be involved in all aspects of your stay. This includes the birth and learning to care for your baby.

Please ask your family and friends not to telephone when you are in the Birthing Suite. You may call them regularly if you like with updates from your bedside phone. Staff cannot discuss your labour progress with family or friends. Visiting in the Birthing Suite is restricted to your support persons.

Still photography of patient and babies are welcome in all areas of the Nareena ward. However, due to the need to ensure the safety and privacy of both patients and staff members, the use of devices that record film and sound are not allowed in the Birthing Suites, Special Care Nursery or Operating Theatres. Film and sound can be recorded in the privacy of your room. No patient or staff member is to have their image recorded without their express permission.

Nareena Ward

The Nareena Ward has single and shared accommodation with ensuites, televisions, telephones and refrigerators. At times of peak activity several rooms in the adjacent surgical ward may also be used. We make all efforts to ensure that you get a single room but please be aware there is no guarantee you will get a single room. This is dependant on occupancy.

Please ensure that your family and friends are aware of our visiting hours. It is important that mothers and babies have adequate rest whilst in hospital to recover from the birthing process.

8.00 am – 11.00 pm	Partners.
10.00 am – 12.00 pm	General visiting.
1.30 pm – 3.00 pm	Mothers rest period. Please refrain from visiting at this time (excepting partners).
3.00 pm – 5.00 pm	General visiting.
6.30 pm – 8.00 pm	General visiting.

For the security of all patients, please do not provide access to the hospital for your visitors by any means. All visitors must arrive and depart via the front entrance.

We request that mobile telephones are not used within the hospital as they may interfere with patient monitoring equipment.

Breastfeeding is encouraged by all nursing staff in the Nareena ward. An initiative by NSW Health actively promotes the increase of breastfeeding rates in NSW. The nursing staff will be able to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.

A Lactation Consultant is available Monday to Friday should you require assistance with breastfeeding.  Group breastfeeding classes are conducted three times a week in the sitting room. We encourage you to attend these classes. An Outpatient Breast feeding clinic is conducted once a week. Appointments are required for the clinic and a small fee for this service is required. This fee does not attract a rebate from your health fund. For appointments please call (02) 4255 5070.

Rooming-in is advised to promote early infant bonding and the establishment of breast feeding.  A night nursery is available from 11pm until 6am if desired. Mothers are asked to take your baby to and collect your baby from the nursery and ensure that your infant identification forms are signed. Staff will call you to attend to the care of your baby during this time.

Your consent is required for a number of procedures within the Nareena Ward. It is important that you are aware of the importance of these procedures and the options available to you.

New born screening tests are attended for your baby on Day 3 to detect metabolic disorders. Please ensure you have read the brochure for this test. A hearing screen is conducted by the SWISH team from Wollongong Hospital as an inpatient service. Hepatitis B vaccination and Vitamin K are available with your consent. Consent is also required to give your baby a complimentary feed and a pacifier.

A series of informative videos are available for viewing in the Mother’s Sitting Room. These include Breast feeding, settling your baby, and the Newborn screening test. There is a dedicated channel on the television in your room (Channel 11) also providing this education.

Our mother’s sitting room has tea and coffee making facilities, a television and educational materials. Visitors are encouraged to use the Coffee Shop located at the Hospital entry.

Accommodation for partners and baby’s siblings cannot be catered for in the Nareena ward. There is a variety of quality hotels located nearby. For more information see here

Special Care Nursery

The Special Care Nursery is fully equipped to provide extra care for your baby if required. The nursery is staffed by Midwives with qualifications and experience in Neonatal care.You and your immediate family are welcome to visit any time and you will be kept informed of your baby’s progress.

At times it may be necessary to transfer a baby to another hospital for a higher level of care. This can be a time of anxiety for parents and our staff will ensure that you are informed of your baby’s condition. We endeavour to ensure that the mother and baby are transferred together but this is dependant upon bed availability.

Meals

Your meals are prepared fresh daily at our onsite kitchen and you can expect food of excellent quality. You will receive a menu each morning to make your selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Varying dietary requirements are catered for and a consultant dietitian is available if needed. During your labour we will supply food and beverages for your support persons.

Flowers are most welcome. Please see here for a directory of florists.

Post–natal care

A physiotherapist conducts sessions in the mothers lounge 3 times a week to provide education on gentle exercise after birth and pelvic floor exercises. Your Obstetrician may also refer you to the physiotherapist to deal with specific issues after birth.

The nursing staff can organise a social worker to visit you if you require help in dealing with depression, coping at home or any other issues you may have.

Other services may be arranged on request.

Figtree Family

A professional photography service is currently provided by GFP studios. A representative visits to take photos of your baby if you wish. Photos orders are arranged with GFP in-hospital or through their online service Figtree Family - http://www.gfp.com.au/babies/login.asp.