Melbourne’s Maternity Hospital Survey 2008

Angliss Hospital (Public)
Location: Albert St, Ferntree Gully Contact Maternity Section: Hospital reception 9764 6111. For maternity bookings 9764 6306 on Tues and Wed between 1.15-5pm and Thurs between 9.15am-1pm Website: www.easternhealth.org.au/angliss/angliss.html No. of births per year: 2300 Average length of stay: 2 days for vaginal births, 4 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 25% Policy on support people at birth: Yes, encouraged Private rooms: 6, allocated on a needs basis Prenatal services: Antenatal education programs, programs designed for young women and women with mental-health or chemical-dependency needs, gestational diabetes care, health psychology, social work, physiotherapy, dietitian Postnatal services: Domiciliary services, perinatal loss, cord-blood collection Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90-95% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Family birth centre for women expecting an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth with minimal intervention. Promotes childbirth as a normal healthy life event, care provided by a team of midwives in the family birth centre. Partnership maternity care involves hospital midwives working in partnership with participating GPs and obstetricians, with pregnancy care provided in the doctor’s rooms. Labour and birth care provided in the hospital delivery suite. Care by GP or obstetrician and pregnancy care provided in the doctor’s rooms BFHI* accreditation: Yes

Bacchus Marsh and Melton Regional Hospital (Public)
Location: Grant St, Bacchus Marsh Contact Maternity Section: 5367 9615 Website: www.djhs.org.au No. of births per year: 600+ Average length of stay: 2-3 days % of caesarean births: 24% Policy on support people at birth: 2 support people encouraged Private rooms: Yes, allocated on a needs basis Prenatal services: No-cost antenatal classes, public antenatal clinic. Three models of care offered: midwife led, obstetrician/midwife care, shared GP/obstetrician Postnatal services: Home visits – domiciliary midwife; day-stay program – feeding/settling clinic; phone contact Neonatal services: Level 1 nursery, phototherapy, isolettes, neonatal hearing screening. Access to neonatal emergency transport and perinatal emergency referral service % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 93% Interpreter services: Telephone and booking service available upon notice Options of care available: Motel-style birthing suite, lactation consultant, early discharge if desired BFHI accreditation: No

Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (Public)
Location: Day St, Bairnsdale Contact Maternity Section: 5150 3455 Website: www.brhs.com.au No. of births per year: 300 Average length of stay: 3-4 days % of caesarean births: 20% Policy on support people at birth: Flexible Private rooms: Yes, allocated on a needs basis Prenatal services: Antenatal education, ‘booking in’ breastfeeding education, young women’s groups, midwifery, outreach service Postnatal services: Follow-up phone call 24 hours post discharge. Home visits if needed or early discharge Neonatal services: Level 1 nursery with visiting paediatrician % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 99% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Shared care with some GPs BFHI accreditation: Yes

Barwon Health (Public)
Location: Geelong Hospital, Ryrie St, Geelong Contact Maternity Section: 5226 7511 Website: www.barwonhealth.org.au No. of births per year: 1950 Average length of stay: Minimum stay 4 hours, average stay 2 days. % of caesarean births: 24% Policy on support people at birth: Welcome all support people attending the birth. Siblings must have adult support Private rooms: 4, with shared ensuites, according to needs Prenatal services: Pregnancy-care clinics are available four mornings a week for public patients. Childbirth-education classes are accessible most days of the week Postnatal services: Domiciliary midwifery services are offered at discharge and lactation support for home care, early parenting day-stay provides lactation support Neonatal services: Level 2 nursery for most babies after 32 weeks of pregnancy depending on health status % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 75-80% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: High-risk consultative care, shared antenatal care, midwives clinic, team maternity care, young approach to pregnancy program, chemical-dependency unit, Koori maternity support service, community midwifery care (2 sites available). A midwifery group practice will commence in July 2008 BFHI accreditation: Yes

The Bays Hospital (Private – NFP community hospital)
Location: Vale St, Mornington Contact Maternity Section: 5976 5262 Website: www.thebays.com.au No. of births per year: Approx. 450 Average length of stay: 4-5 days for vaginal births, 5-6 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: Varies according to client needs (18%-35%) Policy on support people at birth: Partners encouraged Private rooms: All rooms are private with ensuite facilities Prenatal services: Evening and day classes in childbirth education, sibling classes, grandparents’ nights, lactation consultant available, tours available Postnatal services: 24-hour telephone services, domiciliary visit, lactation clinic, monthly coffee mornings, baby-club membership, physiotherapy, photography Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Rooming in encouraged. Nursery facilities available for time out or evening out BFHI accreditation: Yes

Bendigo Hospital (Public)
Location: Lucan St, Bendigo Contact Maternity Section: 5454 8583 Website: www.bendigohealth.org.au No. of births per year: 1210 Average length of stay: 3-5 days % of caesarean births: 28% Policy on support people at birth: At least one support person encouraged, children may be present for birth but should have a separate caregiver from the support person Private rooms: 8 Prenatal services: Maternity-support counselling, midwife-led community clinics, GP shared care, high-risk obstetric clinics, childbirth and parenting-education classes, midwife clinics, outpatient assessment services Postnatal services: Domiciliary, lactation consultant and parenting outpatient support service, maternity-support counselling % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 83% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Private obstetrics, shared care with GPs, shared care with midwives, midwifery caseload model BFHI accreditation: No

Birralee Maternity Service (Public)
Location: Box Hill Hospital, Nelson Rd, Box Hill Contact Maternity Section: 9895 4640 Website: www.easternhealth.org.au No. of births per year: 2105 babies Average length of stay: 2 days for vaginal births, 5 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 23.5% Policy on support people at birth: All women are encouraged to have a birth partner with them. Additional support people are determined on an individual basis Private rooms: No, other than birth suites Prenatal services: Antenatal-education programs, childbirth education, information resource centre for women of non-English-speaking backgrounds, foetal monitoring assessment clinic, gestational diabetes care, Australian cord-blood bank program service Postnatal services: Lactation-support services, mid-care home visiting, perinatal-loss service Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Birralee has a team philosophy of care underpinning all options of care. The model of care is determined by the woman’s choice and the degree of midwifery/medical care required. Team midwifery care, medical care for high-risk pregnancies, shared care with GPs, Know Your Midwife (KYM) model of care provided by a small team of midwives who provide individualised care and are ‘on call’ for birth and the WINGS model of care for women with special needs such as young women, or women with drug and alcohol issues, mental health issues, or physical and/or intellectual disabilities BFHI accreditation: No Are you in the process of gaining accreditation? Yes

Casey Hospital (Public)
Location: 52 Kangan Dr, Berwick Contact Maternity Section: 8768 1200 Website: www.southernhealth.org.au No. of births per year: 1200 Average length of stay: 6 hours-2 days for vaginal births, 4 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 11.9% Policy on support people at birth: As many as the woman is comfortable with Private rooms: 10 birth/postnatal rooms, 13 postnatal rooms, all single except for 4 2-bed rooms Prenatal services: Childbirth education, midwifery antenatal clinics Postnatal services: Home visits, lactation-support service Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery, 6 beds % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 95% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Antenatal – midwife care, obstetrician care, GP shared care. Birth and postnatal – midwifery care in collaboration with medical team BFHI accreditation: Yes

Central Gippsland Health Service (Public)
Location: Guthridge Parade, Sale Contact Maternity Section: 5143 8730 Website: www.cghs.com.au No. of births per year: 450 Average length of stay: 3 days % of caesarean births: 20% Policy on support people at birth: According to mother’s wishes Private rooms: 5, allocated according to availability and medical needs Prenatal services: Childbirth education. Antenatal ‘booking-in’ service – 1 hour appointment with midwife at 20 weeks. Antenatal lactation-education service Postnatal services: Domiciliary visits – one visit and more if required Neonatal services: Level 2 nursery. 6 cots % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Medical model only BFHI accreditation: No

 

Colac Area Health (Public)
Location: 2-28 Connor St, Colac Contact Maternity Section: 5232 5100 Website: www.colacareahealth.com.au No. of births per year: Approx. 186-200 Average length of stay: 3-4 days % of caesarean births: 20% Policy on support people at birth: Yes, encouraged Private rooms: 4 ensuite rooms Prenatal services: Far-reaching integrated health-support services including antenatal education, support for young mums and chemically dependent women Postnatal services: Domiciliary midwifery visits for as long as required in the first couple of weeks. Lactation consultants/sleep settling available, as is ward phone consultation 24 hours Neonatal services: n/a % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: Approx. 85% Interpreter services: Telephone service Options of care available: Funded antenatal midwifery services available. Shared care with GPs BFHI accreditation: No

 

Epworth Freemasons (Private)
Location: 320 Victoria Pde, East Melbourne Contact Maternity Section: 9418 8333 Website: www.epworth.org.au/epworthfreemasons No. of births per year: 3400 Average length of stay: 4 nights vaginal births, 5 nights for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 44% Policy on support people at birth: Partners and support people welcome. Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult Private rooms: Available, queen beds dependent on availability. 6 beds at the Park Hyatt (1 Parliament Square) depending on availability and medical condition and 31 private rooms at Epworth Freemasons Hospital, Clarendon St as part of the maternity unit with special menu for postnatal clients Prenatal services: Antenatal classes, breastfeeding classes, antenatal interviews, grandparents’ classes, fathers’ classes Postnatal services: Day breastfeeding unit, early discharge packages may include day visits Neonatal services: Level 2 nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 91% Interpreter services: No Options of care available: All requests negotiable BFHI accreditation: No

 

Frankston Hospital (Public)
Location: Hastings Rd, Frankston Contact Maternity Section: 9784 7450 Website: www.phcn.vic.gov.au No. of births per year: Approx. 2600 Average length of stay: 48 hours for vaginal births, 3-4 days for caesarean births within Frankston % of caesarean births: 29% Policy on support people at birth: Maximum 2 support people Private rooms: Single rooms are allocated according to availability and needs Prenatal services: Family planning, antenatal classes, chemical-dependency clinic and young mums’ group Postnatal services: Home visits, lactation, infant-feeding support and home help for families in need, postnatal physiotherapy classes including baby massage Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery with 13 cots, paediatrician on call every day and paediatric medical staff on duty 24 hours % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 80% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Midwife clinic, shared care, family birthing model of care, private obstetrician BFHI accreditation: Currently in progress; likely in the next few weeks

Healesville and District Hospital (Public)
Location: 377 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville Contact Maternity Section: 5962 4300 Website: www.easternhealth.org.au No. of births per year: 100 Average length of stay: 3 days % of caesarean births: n/a Policy on support people at birth: Determined on a case-by-case basis Private rooms: Private rooms available upon medical needs Prenatal services: Antenatal education programs Postnatal services: Domiciliary services, lactation support, breastfeeding clinic with Yarra Ranges Community Health Neonatal services: n/a % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 92% Interpreter services: No Options of care available: Traditional care – provided throughout pregnancy by GP. Progressive midwifery, midwife shared care with pre-birthing services between midwives and doctors BFHI accreditation: No

Jessie McPherson Private Hospital (Private)
Location: Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton Contact Maternity Section: 9594 5161 Website: www.jessiemcpherson.com.au No. of births per year: 1200 Average length of stay: 5 days for vaginal births, 6 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 26% Policy on support people at birth: All discussed on an individual basis Private rooms: Yes, dependent on availability Prenatal services: Comprehensive parenting classes, workshops and services. Breastfeeding classes, caesarean classes and twin classes, special-needs classes and ward tours Postnatal services: Postnatal physiotherapy-care classes, breastfeeding-support clinic Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery and neonatal ICU % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 98.6% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Breastfeeding or artificial feeding, early discharge available with home visits BFHI accreditation: No

 

Knox Private Hospital (Private)
Location: 262 Mountain Hwy, Wantirna Contact Maternity Section: 9210 7260 Website: www.healthscope.com.au No. of births per year: 650 Average length of stay: 5-7 days % of caesarean births: 30% Policy on support people at birth: 1 or 2 support persons, siblings welcome as long as they have another adult accompanying them Private rooms: 12 private rooms with ensuites, 3 birth rooms with ensuite, 2 shared rooms Prenatal services: Obstetricians consult at Knox. Prenatal classes for first-time parents and refresher classes for parents who have had babies previously. Pre-pregnancy information evenings and physiotherapy information evenings are held once a month Postnatal services: Parents are welcome to bring their child’s book to us for weighing and blood tests if ordered by their doctor. Paediatricians consult at Knox Neonatal services: As above % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 99% Interpreter services: No Options of care available: Private hospital/personal obstetricians BFHI accreditation: No

 

Latrobe Regional Hospital (Public)
Location: Princess Hwy, Traralgon Contact Maternity Section: 5173 8211 Website: www.lrh.com.au No. of births per year: 850-900 Average length of stay: 2-3 days for vaginal births, 4-5 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 30% Policy on support people at birth: As desired (within safety levels) Private rooms: No Prenatal services: Booking-in service, midwives/doctor shared care clinic, antenatal educational classes, antenatal breastfeeding classes, special-needs midwife program available Postnatal services: Postnatal care, domiciliary visits, cord-blood collection by request Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 85% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Specialist obstetrician, specialist paediatrician, GP obstetrician, anaesthetist, midwife/shared antenatal clinic BFHI accreditation: Yes

 

 

Masada Private Hospital (Private)
Location: 26 Balaclava Rd, East St Kilda Contact Maternity Section: 9038 1370 Website: www.masadaprivate.com.au No. of births per year: Approx. 800 Average length of stay: 4 nights for vaginal births, 5 nights for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 25% Policy on support people at birth: Encouraged, according to the mother’s wishes Private rooms: 12, patient to request private room on booking. Endeavour to provide a private room at all times after birth Prenatal services: Wide range of parenting and childbirth classes, individual tours available on request, early pregnancy physiotherapy classes, lactation consultant on site Postnatal services: Domiciliary nurse follow-up, lactation consultant, physiotherapy, individual education sessions, mothers’ discussion group, education audiovisual support Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery with appropriately qualified staff. Less than 1% transfer of babies to neonatal intensive care unit in 2007. Mother and baby unit day-stay and residential available % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 97% Interpreter services: Telephone Options of care available: Private obstetrician care with paediatric back-up BFHI accreditation: No

 

Mercy Hospital for Women (Public)
Location: 163 Studley Rd, Heidelberg (relocated from East Melbourne 2005) Contact Maternity Section: 8458 4444 Website: www.mercy.com.au No. of births per year: 5685 Average length of stay: 2 days for vaginal births, 4 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 30% Policy on support people at birth: 2 support people allowed in birthing rooms, according to the mother’s wishes Private rooms: For private patients and as required clinically Prenatal services: Full range of antenatal services, including childbirth/parent education, perinatal care for complex pregnancies, support for young mums, chemically dependent women and Koori women Postnatal services: Domiciliary service, breastfeeding education and breastfeeding-support clinic Neonatal services: Special care nursery, neonatal intensive care unit Level 3 % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: GP shared care, midwife care, hospital care, private obstetrician and family birth centre BFHI accreditation: Yes

Mitcham Private Hospital (Private)
Location: 27 Doncaster East Rd, Mitcham Website: www.mitchamprivate.com.au No. of births per year: Approx. 1400 Average length of stay: 4 nights for vaginal births % of caesarean births: 33% Policy on support people at birth: As appropriate Private rooms: All private rooms Prenatal services: Childbirth-education classes, breastfeeding classes Postnatal services: Lactation clinic Neonatal services: Level 2 nursery for premature and sick babies % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 85% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Individualised as required BFHI accreditation: Yes

Northpark Private Hospital (Private)
Location: Cnr Plenty and Greenhills rds, Bundoora Contact Maternity Section: 9467 6022 Website: www.healthscope.com.au No. of births per year: 1100 Average length of stay: 4 nights for vaginal births, 5 nights for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 35% Policy on support people at birth: In consultation with obstetrician Private rooms: Yes Prenatal services: Pre-pregnancy information nights held monthly. Antenatal classes, one night a week over five weeks. Sunday classes held over two consecutive weeks Postnatal services: Referral visit to local maternal child health centre Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 85% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Private obstetrician BFHI accreditation: No

 

Peninsula Private Hospital (Private)
Location: 525 McClelland Dr, Frankston Contact Maternity Section: 9788 3468 Website: www.ramsayhealth.com.au No. of births per year: 700 Average length of stay: 4 nights for vaginal births, 5 nights for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 28% Policy on support people at birth: Partner and one other if required, organised prior to actual day Private rooms: All private rooms, 10 double beds, 8 single beds Prenatal services: Childbirth education sessions, prenatal yoga, grandparents’ evening, physiotherapy classes, breastfeeding sessions, dietician information sessions Postnatal services: Breastfeeding clinic, phone follow-up when required, physiotherapy session, postnatal discussion group Neonatal services: Paediatrician on call, low-risk level 2 nursery, babies from 36 weeks accepted % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: On request Options of care available: Self-insured packages for couples without insurance BFHI accreditation: No

 

Rosebud Hospital (Public)
Location: 1527 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud Contact Maternity Section: 5986 0666 Website: www.phcn.vic.gov.au No. of births per year: n/a Average length of stay: 2 days for vaginal births or 3 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: n/a Policy on support people at birth: n/a Private rooms: All women are allocated separate accommodation in private or 2-bed rooms Prenatal services: Midwives provide antenatal care to low-risk women, antenatal classes, midwives clinic, shared care with obstetricians and support for young mums Postnatal services: Women may transfer to Rosebud Hospital for postnatal care following birth at Frankston. Home visits, breastfeeding support, sleep clinic, mother–baby unit and early parenting service Neonatal services: Limited, as no staffed nursery. Phototherapy for jaundice % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: n/a BFHI accreditation: No

 

The Royal Women’s Hospital (the Women’s) (Public)
Location: Cnr Grattan St and Flemington Rd, Parkville (relocated from Carlton) Contact Maternity Section: 9344 2000 Website: www.thewomens.org.au No. of births per year: 6000 Average length of stay: 2-3 days for vaginal births, 4-5 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 18.5% Policy on support people at birth: Women may have a support person/s of choice present during labour and birth Private rooms: Single rooms are provided, based on an assessment of needs Prenatal services: Full range of antenatal services Postnatal services: Domiciliary visits by a midwife, ongoing breastfeeding support, women’s health information service Neonatal services: Neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: The primary maternity care option offered is TeamCare. Every woman accessing maternity care will be cared for by one of four maternity teams, which means that each woman is cared for by the same team of midwives and doctors throughout pregnancy, labour and birth, hospital stay and visits at home after the baby is born. This will mean the care will be more personalised, there is a greater sense of belonging and a sense that carers are more involved with a woman’s pregnancy. BFHI accreditation: Yes

 

Sandringham & District Memorial Hospital (Public)
Location: 193 Bluff Rd, Sandringham Contact Maternity Section: 9076 1233 Website: www.baysidehealth.org.au No. of births per year: 1065 Average length of stay: 3 days for vaginal births normal delivery, 4 nights for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 38% Policy on support people at birth: Actively encouraged, but only two people at a time in delivery room Prenatal services: Midwives clinic, childbirth-education courses Postnatal services: Extended postnatal care and breastfeeding support services % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 85% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Midwives clinic, family medicine obstetric clinic, GP obstetrics care, share care, antenatal care provided by a specialist obstetrician

 

South Eastern Private Hospital (Private)
Location: Heatherton Rd and Princes Hwy, Noble Park Contact Maternity Section: 9549 6359 Website: www.southeasternmaternity.com.au No. of births per year: 650-700 Average length of stay: 5 days for vaginal births, 6 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 28% Policy on support people at birth: Partner and support people encouraged Private rooms: All private rooms apart from 2 rooms Prenatal services: Prenatal education classes, weekend workshops, refresher classes, grandparents’ sessions, physiotherapy Postnatal services: Breastfeeding support centre, mother and baby unit including both residential and day-stay programs, baby massage, physiotherapy, postnatal discussion groups Neonatal Services: Level 2 special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Private obstetrician for all clients, self-insured packages for couples without insurance BFHI accreditation: No Are you in the process of gaining accreditation? Yes, aiming for accreditation in 2009

St Frances Xavier Cabrini Hospital (Private)
Location: 183 Wattletree Rd, Malvern Contact Maternity Section: 9508 1724 Website: www.cabrini.com.au No. of births per year: 1400 Average length of stay: 4 nights for vaginal births, 5 nights for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 29% Policy on support people at birth: Flexible Private rooms: Yes, allocated on a needs basis Prenatal services: Childbirth and parenting classes or workshops with physiotherapy content, early pregnancy and refresher classes, follow-up breastfeeding clinic Postnatal services: Home care service, phone counselling and home visits, breastfeeding day clinics Neonatal services: Level 2 for premature babies (34 weeks) and sick neonates % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: No Options of care available: Obstetrician primary carer, midwife works in partnership with woman and her obstetrician BFHI accreditation: No

St John of God Health Care Ballarat (Private)
Location: 101 Drummond St, Ballarat (redevelopment/relocation to new hospital due in December 2008) Contact Maternity Section: 5320 2110 Website: www.sjog.org.au No. of births per year: 500 Average length of stay: 3 days for vaginal births, 4-5 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: N/A Policy on support people at birth: Support people (and siblings) encouraged at women’s discretion Private rooms: All maternity patients will be accommodated in a private room with ensuite and the new hospital also provides baby-bathing facilities in each room Prenatal services: Childbirth education and preparation, early pregnancy consultation with midwife, grandparents’ classes Postnatal services: Nursery care available as desired by mother, physiotherapy classes and consultations, domiciliary midwife visits, baby-settling sessions, early discharge packages, breastfeeding clinic day-stay, phone consult any time Neonatal services: Level 2 high-dependency special care nursery, baby-massage classes, private paediatric services % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Private obstetrician in conjunction with midwifery model of care BFHI accreditation: No Are you in the process of gaining accreditation? Yes

St John of God Health Care Bendigo (Private)
Location: Lily St, Bendigo (entrance off Chum St) Contact Maternity Section: 5434 3269 Website: www.sjog.org.au No. of births per year: 350-380 Average length of stay: 3-4 nights for vaginal births, 4-5 nights for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 20.4% (emergency), 22.1% (elective) Policy on support people at birth: Welcome at vaginal births with the woman’s consent. Welcome at caesarean births with the woman’s consent and when a spinal or epidural block is used Private rooms: All private rooms with ensuites. Partners are welcome to stay Prenatal services: Committed to pre-pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding education offering group and individual classes. These include a pre-pregnancy evening, pregnancy wellbeing for couples, four series for couples and support people and one-day antenatal education. Breastfeeding class for first-time mothers, individual lactation/antenatal and birthing consultations arranged as required, water aerobics (pre and postnatal), women’s health physiotherapy Postnatal services: Midwifery and medical care, pastoral care, physiotherapy, dietetics, domiciliary care, lactation clinic, parenting program, newborn photography Neonatal services: Skilled staff, 24-hour Level 2 special care nursery, strong liaison with Melbourne specialist hospitals % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 92.3 % (exclusively), 7.1% breast fed and formula Interpreter services: Arranged on a needs basis Options of care available: Private care from obstetricians BFHI accreditation: No Are you in the process of gaining accreditation? Yes

St John of God Health Care Berwick (Private)
Location: 1 Gibb St, Berwick Contact Maternity Section: 9707 1900 Website: www.sjog.org.au No. of births per year: 397 Average length of stay: 5 days for vaginal births, 7 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 26% Policy on support people at birth: Encouraged, siblings must have a carer Private rooms: All private rooms Prenatal services: Antenatal classes are part of the hospital packages, physiotherapy sessions also available at cost. Breastfeeding antenatal classes for women, weekend classes available according to need Postnatal services: Postnatal depression service (The Rafael Centre) to provide antenatal and postnatal counselling and therapeutic and support groups to women in the Berwick community, regardless of where they have given birth (minimal fee) Neonatal services: Level 1 nursery, phototherapy, lactation consultants % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 85% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Obstetrician model of care in a family-centred environment BFHI accreditation: No

 

St John of God Hospital, Geelong (Private)
Location: 80 Myers St, Geelong Contact Maternity Section: 5226 8866 Website: www.sjog.org.au No. of births per year: 1100 Average length of stay: 4 days for vaginal births, 5-7 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 34% Policy on support people at birth: Encouraged Private rooms: Includes 4 family rooms where partners are able to stay and be included in education and learning how to best help and support their partner and care for their newborn baby. Parents with sick babies or special needs are a priority Prenatal services: Antenatal education classes, antenatal physiotherapy, grandparent education classes, the ‘Calm Birth’ course, early parenting classes held following discharge Postnatal services: Early discharge package where mothers have the option of going home earlier from hospital with ongoing support from domiciliary midwives, lactation support. The Raphael Centre provides a service to all mothers both antenatally and postnatally who may be suffering from anxiety or depression and is a free service to all mothers in the Geelong region Neonatal services: Special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 90% Interpreter services: Telephone service Options of care available: n/a BFHI accreditation: No

Sunshine Hospital (Public)
Location: 176 Furlong Rd, St Albans Contact Maternity Section: 8345 1728 Website: www.wh.org.au No. of births per year: 3500 Average length of stay: 1-2 days for vaginal births, 2-3 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 26% Policy on support people at birth: Encouraged Private rooms: Allocated on a needs basis Prenatal services: Pre-conception counselling is arranged as required Postnatal services: Home visits – postnatal follow-up by a midwife, medical review and follow-up for women who have had problems during their pregnancy and birth Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 80%. Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Caseload midwifery care, team midwifery care, medical care for high-risk pregnancies, shared care with GPs BFHI accreditation: Yes

 

Waverley Private Hospital (Private)
Location: 347 Blackburn Rd, Mt Waverley Contact Maternity Section: 9881 7760 Website: www.waverleyprivate.com.au No. of births per year: 900 Average length of stay: 4-5 nights dependent on mother/baby progress % of caesarean births: 32% Policy on support people at birth: Partner and additional support people as desired following discussion with treating obstetrician Private rooms: 17 rooms, 11 with double beds Prenatal services: Antenatal and breastfeeding classes held at Novotel Glen Waverley, pre-pregnancy evenings, multi classes, grandparents’ classes conducted at Waverley Private Postnatal services: Weekly lactation clinics. In-house educational DVDs running continuously. Novotel parenting program Neonatal services: Level 2 nursery, paediatrician on call 24 hours % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 97% Interpreter services: No Options of care available: Open to all suggestions from prospective parents BFHI accreditation: No

 

Werribee Mercy Hospital (Public)
Location: 300 Princes Hwy, Werribee Contact Maternity Section: 9216 8696 Website: www.mercy.com.au No. of births per year: 1860 Average length of stay: 2-3 days for vaginal births, 4-5 days for caesarean births % of caesarean births: 36% Policy on support people at birth: Siblings under the care of another adult. 3 support people (includes partner) Private rooms: 10 birthing rooms with double beds plus 8 private rooms, some shared rooms. Allocated on a needs basis Prenatal services: Antenatal education classes held each week Mon-Thurs and Sat, lactation consultant available Postnatal services: Follow-up domiciliary visits at home to each family, breastfeeding day-stay and lactation consultant outpatient service for women needing extra support with breastfeeding Neonatal services: Level 2 special care nursery, family-centred care, parents’ room % of babies breast-milk fed on discharge: 85% Interpreter services: Yes Options of care available: Specialist obstetrician, teamed midwifery care BFHI accreditation: No

 

*BFHI – Baby Friendly Health Initiative. For further information, visit www.bfhi.org.au