In these unusual times, the safety of mums, babies, participants in care, visitors and our staff remains our absolute priority.
So we’ve implemented some COVID-19 changes in line with Government guidelines.
Like most places, our guidelines are changing as COVID-19 is managed so we will keep you up to date as you plan your admission/birth.
 

Maternity appointments

Once you have chosen your Obstetrician you will meet with them regularly throughout your pregnancy.  They will have consulting rooms on site or locally and you will arrange your appointments with their rooms.
Your schedule of appointments will most likely change depending on your individual circumstances.
To limit people in the waiting areas we ask that you ensure you are on time for your face-to-face appointments.
 

Labour and birth

Your health and safety is everything to us. To help protect you and your baby, other families and our staff, expectant mothers can have one fully vaccinated participant in care. An additional participant in care maybe allowed to attend with a birthing woman on compassionate grounds and this will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Before entering our hospital, they will be asked the usual screening questions, and must have no symptoms of illness or suspected infection and return a negative COVID-19 test upon arriving at the hospital.

Visiting restrictions

Birthing women are allowed two nominated participants-in-care, regardless of their vaccination status, for the duration of labour, birth and the postnatal period. They may visit the postnatal ward during the hours of 3pm to 8pm. Children under 12 years old aren't allowed to visit.

The participant-in-care will be required to:

• Wear a surgical mask
• Undergo a rapid antigen test on arrival to the birth suite on the day of baby’s birth, and again on arrival to the postnatal ward and every second day, if unvaccinated
• Follow infection control advice from staff
• Have no symptoms of COVID-19
• Not be a close contact or a confirmed COVID-19 case or awaiting COVID-19 results

An exemption to the Public Health Order is provided to allow participants-in-care who are COVID positive or a close contact to leave self-isolation, in order to provide support in a birthing unit during labour, birth and the immediate postnatal period. The pregnant woman must provide informed consent, the facility must authorise the exemption and the participant-in-care must follow infection control guidelines and directions from staff.

Visitor guidelines for maternity will allow one additional visitor per Birthing woman per day. This visitor may attend the facility and will not be restricted by time.

However, visitors must:

• Visit between the hours of 3pm and 8pm
• Wear a surgical mask correctly on entry at the facility, and for the duration of the visit.
• To comply with physical distancing requirements, a limit of four visitors can be in a shared patient room at any given time
• Follow infection control advice from staff
• Have no symptoms of COVID-19
• Not be a close contact or a confirmed COVID-19 case or awaiting COVID-19 results
• Visitors must take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of their loved ones, other patients, staff and themselves

We continue to monitor the situation and in response to a local outbreak, additional restrictions may be implemented to minimise risk of transmission and ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff.

Our focus remains on keeping our patients, staff and the wider community safe while providing kind and compassionate care.

Feeding your baby

We continue to encourage skin-to-skin contact at birth and breastfeeding. Pay careful attention to hand hygiene, and try not to cough or sneeze near baby. If you are suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 we will quarantine you and your baby safely and in line with health guidelines.
 

Is there anything else you’d like to know?

We know these restrictions can be challenging, so we ask for your understanding. If you have any questions regarding your pregnancy, your stay or any other maternity matter, we’re here for you. Please call 02 4941 8400.