The WDHS Maternity Service offers an approach to childbirth that is based on family-centred care, promoting pregnancy and childbirth as a normal healthy life event. Approximately two hundred babies are born at the Hamilton Hospital each year. We offer birth in a relaxed environment and partners are encouraged to participate during this special time. Care is provided to women having a “normal” low risk pregnancy, those with minor medical conditions or as deemed appropriate by your obstetric doctor.
The Hamilton Model of Midwifery Care (HMMC) provides continuity of care for women to ensure the woman’s dignity and individuality in care is supported and to enhance and support the skills of midwives and doctors in a collaborative framework. The HMMC encourages a one-to-one relationship between a woman and her midwife for midwifery care throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal. Each woman is allocated to a midwife, with support from one or more midwives from within the team, in collaboration with the GP Obstetrician / Obstetrician.
The Maternity Unit consists of five bedrooms with ensuites (three of which operate as birthing suites), baby care facilities, televisions, telephones and ‘fold out’ couches – enough room for the family to visit and to make welcome the woman’s support person, allowing them to stay. The Maternity Unit is serviced by a large range of health professionals, including but not limited to: Midwives, GP Obstetricians, specialist obstetrician, dieticians, physiotherapists, other allied health staff and a caring and dedicated nursing team.
Patients/clients also have access to a comprehensive range of additional services such as:
- Antenatal and postnatal mental health support
- Midwifery outpatient support
- Postnatal home visiting midwifery service
- Alliances with other health professionals as required such as dieticians, physiotherapists and social workers
Women are encouraged to book in to WDHS for their continued pregnancy care at around 8 weeks gestation.
Visitors
Visiting hours for midwifery patients are flexible in acknowledgement of the important role visitors fulfill in the wellbeing of patients in our care. Certain circumstances may require the implementation of restricted visiting times for some patients.
There is no access to food after hours or weekends. The cafeteria is open Monday to Friday from 8.00am till 3:00pm. After this time visitors requiring food may be able to purchase limited supplies from the vending machine located at front reception.
Enquiries
The Unit is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. General enquiries should be made during business hours.
Referral
Complete the online form: HERE. We will be in touch with you within two weeks to book you an appointment. For clinic enquiries please contact the Antenatal Clinic on 03 5551 8111.
The Midwife on call number is 0417 468 665.
Last updated: 24 April 2024