Maternity Unit

We can assist you with choosing a doctor and provide you with a wide range of information and services to help you before, during and after your pregnancy.

The following maternity facilities and services are available at South Eastern Private Hospital:

Maternity Unit with spacious private rooms
Double beds to allow partner to stay
Prenatal Education, Childbirth Parenting & Refresher Classes
Level 2 Special Care Nursery
Breastfeeding Support
Post-Natal Physiotherapy
Baby Pack (for uninsured patients)

Further Information

You are invited to tour our facilities and to meet with one of our experienced midwives to discuss your birthing choices. We hold regular open days and also conduct individualised tours by appointment.

Our Maternity Unit is known for its comfortable facilities and soothing surroundings.

At this special time, we offer you the very latest in birthing techniques and the best of care for you and your newborn including:

24 hour on-call anaesthetic and paediatric services
A group of experienced male and female obstetricians
Our team of experienced and supportive midwives
A Level 2 Special Care Nursery for babies

Both private and un-insured patients are welcome at South Eastern Private. We invite you to tour our facilities and meet our caring and experienced midwives who can provide you with further information about our maternity services.

Accommodation

Our Maternity Unit offers serenity and comfort for you and your family. We have spacious private rooms, some of these with double beds, all rooms featuring a fridge and spacious ensuite facilities with space to bath your baby in private. Each room also looks out over a tranquil garden. Televisions are available in all rooms. Partners are also welcome to stay overnight.

While we will endeavour to provide you with your accommodation preference, please understand that in certain circumstances of high activity or emergency admissions, it may be necessary to admit you to a shared room.

Meals

Our chefs take pride in creating nutritious three course meals and can cater for special dietary requirements. Meals for partners and children can also be arranged for a small additional cost. There is also a microwave and kitchenette facility available.

Birthing Suites

We have four large, comfortable birthing suites that ensure a personal and safe environment for your birthing experience. Each suite features an ensuite, television, fridge and private patio.

Level 2 Special Care Nursery

A special feature of our Maternity Unit is our Level 2 Special Care Nursery which is well equipped with the latest technology and medical facilities to care for neonates from 34 weeks gestation. This service is supported by 24 hour paediatrician cover for those babies who require extra care.

Prenatal Education, Childbirth Parenting & Refresher Classes

Prenatal Education, Childbirth Parenting & Refresher classes are offered to maternity patients and their support partners. These classes are conducted by childbirth educators and midwives and cover:

- Issues related to pregnancy

- Labour

- A tour of our Labour Ward, Delivery Suite and Post-Natal Ward

Birth
Breastfeeding
Early parenting issues
Services available at the hospital
Refresher classes are also available.
Supper is provided in the evening classes.

Please contact the Maternity Unit for specific dates and times of classes.

Bookings for classes are essential and attendance should be when the mother to be is (over 20 weeks into the pregnancy and preferably before 34 weeks pregnant).

Breastfeeding Support

All of our midwives are highly trained to assist breastfeeding mothers and some are qualified lactation consultants. All new mothers will receive a book on breastfeeding published by South Eastern Private.

Post-Natal Physiotherapy

A visiting physiotherapist provides post-natal classes twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. This service is also provided by our midwives in between these classes.

Baby Pack

The Baby Pack (for uninsured patients) has been prepared to assist you in planning for the birth of your baby at South Eastern Private where we pride ourselves on the delivery of individualised midwifery care.

You can customise your package to include:

One to four nights accommodation
Prenatal Education, Childbirth Parenting & Refresher classes
Planned caesarean section
Accommodation with ensuite
Partner accommodation
Free local telephone calls
Payment plan to suit you

10% discount if full payment is made by week 28 of your pregnancy.

Additional charges will apply for:

Admission during pregnancy
Nursery admission should your baby require special care
Long distance (STD), international (ISD) and mobile phone calls
Accounts from your doctor, paediatrician, anaesthetist, pathology and radiology
Medication and pharmacy items
Additional surgical procedures
Partner meals

For further information, contact the Maternity Unit to discuss your individual needs and choices.

Your Hospital Stay

It’s important that all maternity patients are familiar with the processes and information outlined below as there are specific activities you need to do, so that your hospital stay runs smoothly.

Maternity Booking
Admission
Discharge

Your Maternity Booking

After confirming your preganancy with your doctor and deciding to have your baby in the Maternity Unit at South Eastern Private Hospital, you are required to contact your Obstetrician to make a booking. Please search our specialist database for a comprehensive list of Obstetricians who practice at South Eastern Private Hospital.

Upon booking-in, you will receive a package that will contain booking forms to be completed. To secure your booking these forms need to be completed and returned within 2 weeks.

Confirm Cost Coverage

It’s your responsibility to pay for any costs you may incur. Contact your health insurer to confirm exactly what costs will be covered.

Prior to delivery all patients will be provided with an estimate of costs to be paid on admission.

See Insurance & Accounts for additional information.

What to bring to Hospital

For labour, we suggest:

Cool loose comfortable clothing (e.g. old large t-shirt or nightie)
Warm socks
Glucose sweets and/or snacks for yourself and partner (e.g. jelly beans, barley sugar, jubes, lemonade icy poles)
Camera
Music CDs if desired
Lip balm
Video camera use may be limited. Please discuss this with unit staff.

For after the birth, we suggest:

Telephone list to inform family and friends of birth
Personal toiletry items
Comfortable clothing for day wear and night attire including dressing gown (easy opening if breastfeeding)
Slippers or other suitable footwear
Nursing bras and pads for breastfeeding
Sanitary pads (maternity and lighter flow)
Watch or small clock
Medicare card
Pen

For your baby, please bring:

Baby clothes
Baby wipes
Bunny rugs
Baby bath solution
Bottles, teats, formula and steriliser (if you’re planning to artificially feed)
Clothing to take your baby home (e.g. bonnet, warm jacket, at least two nappies).

For information on how to correctly install a child safety restraint please visit the following websites:-

http://www.racv.com.au or http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Admission

Fasting

If your admission to hospital is planned (e.g. elective caesarean or induction) you may need to fast before coming to hospital. Please speak to your doctor or midwife for specific information related to your needs at least one day prior to your admission.

Before Leaving Home

Please contact the Maternity Unit on 03 9549 6359 so that we can prepare for your arrival.

Note that this is not required for planned admissions such as elective caesarean birth or induction.

On Arrival

There is a special entrance into the Maternity Unit which women arriving for delivery are able to access at all hours. This door is locked for security reasons. At the entrance there is a phone to the Maternity Unit to enable access.

Queries about your Care

If you have any concerns or queries about your care while you are a patient in our hospital, please bring them to our attention. The nurse in charge of the Maternity Unit will be able to answer questions and resolve any problems related to your hospital care.

Patient Feedback

Patient feedback is appreciated, as it assists us to make ongoing improvements to our services and facilities. Please feel free to provide feedback either through the formal Patient Satisfaction Survey or by writing to the Director of Nursing at the hospital.

Discharge

We ask that you vacate your room by 9.30am on the day you leave hospital so that we can prepare for the next patient.

All patients are required to report to the Business Office to be formally discharged.

A comfortable area for you to wait for transport is provided in the hospital foyer.