Maternity Services - Pregnancy Information 

Antenatal

Considerable change is occurring to the way maternity services are provided to you and more are expected over the next year. We hope that the information here is helpful to you and will be a positive contribution to your pregnancy and the birth of your baby. The main points for you to remember are that:

• It is your choice
• It is your health.

It is also important for you to understand the role of your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). This is undoubtedly a new term for you but its meaning will become clearer as you read on.

So if you have any concerns about the changes, your care, or you do not fully understand what is going on, please ask.

The purpose of this section is to give you some helpful information about the changes that pregnancy brings about. It is also to provide you with information about the hospital, its staff, services and facilities.

It is hoped that in understanding what to expect, and where to go for advice, both within the hospital and in the community, you will be able to plan ahead and seek assistance when needed.

Choosing to Birth at Christchurch Women's Hospital

A variety of birth and postnatal care options are available to you when you birth at Christchurch Women's. The support and care you and your baby receive after your delivery is important.

Please discuss these options available to you with your LMC.

Booking Procedure

This is the responsibility of your LMC who will gather the information we require from you and then send it to us.

Your LMC will explain the services provided by Christchurch Women's Hospital.

These include:

• Antenatal, pregnancy, and parenting education
• Lactation Services
• Dietitian Services
• Physiotherapist Services
• Social Work Services
• Full Back Up Service such as Paediatric Services, Anaesthetic Services for Epidurals, Caesarean Sections etc.
• Maori Health Worker

These are all available to you and your baby should they be required. An information pack is available to you.

All women booked to deliver at Christchurch Women's Hospital receive a letter of confirmation. Please check with your LMC if you have not received the letter within one month of booking.

Antenatal Care

The aim of antenatal care is to help you to:

• Understand the physical and emotional changes that occur during your pregnancy.
• Increase your awareness of your new role as a parent.
• Understand how to maintain and improve the health of you and your baby.
• Detect any problems early and treat them accordingly.

Regular antenatal checks increase the likelihood of producing a healthy baby. These checks can be made by a midwife, your family doctor or an obstetrician.

Generally antenatal checks will be every 4-6 weeks initially. At 28 weeks, checks increase to fortnightly and then become weekly after 36 weeks. As everyone is an individual, the schedule of your antenatal checks may vary slightly from that described above.

Discharge planning for after the baby is born should begin while you are still pregnant

Please ensure that your discharge plans involve your partner/ family/ whanau and friends, as you are able to go home as soon as you wish following the birth of your baby (all being well).

Their support can make all the difference.

Recognising the Staff

The Charge Midwife is the person in charge of the ward and will always be happy to help you. It is her responsibility to see that your midwifery care is carried out efficiently and in an acceptable manner.

Call Bell

Please use the call bell by your bed to gain assistance should you require it at any time. A midwife/nurse will answer as soon as possible.

Going Home - Discharge Planning

Planning for discharge should take place during pregnancy.

This allows you the opportunity to arrange for the extra support required when you go home with a new baby. Women may go home directly from the Birthing Suite provided all is well clinically with mother and baby.

It is expected that all women will receive the services of a midwife of their choice to attend them at home following discharge. This will usually be your LMC. Ward staff will discuss this with you if you do not have a midwife already arranged.

Consumer Evaluation

Prior to your discharge you may receive a questionnaire asking some general questions about the care you received during your stay in hospital. Please complete the form and return it in the pre-paid envelope to the address indicated.

This is one of the ways we evaluate our services and make improvements accordingly. Any suggestions you have, can also be placed anonymously in the suggestion box at the main entrance or in the ward or department that you are in.

When you are satisfied with the Service

Please tell staff caring for you how your stay has been and whether you are pleased with the service provided. We appreciate your comments as they help us to improve our services.