Labour and birthing in Hunter New England

• If your baby stops moving or there is an obvious reduction in your baby’s movements at any time during your pregnancy.
• Trauma to the abdomen, assault, serious fall or car accident.
• Vaginal bleeding at any time.
• Sharp pains in the abdomen with or without vaginal bleeding.
• Your waters break or if you have a constant clear watery vaginal discharge.
• Fever or chills, temperature over 37.8 degrees.
• Severe nausea and persistent vomiting.
• Recurring and persistent headaches.
• Blurred vision or spots before your eyes.
• Pain or burning on passing urine.
• Contractions at any time before 37 weeks.
• Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet.
• Persistently itchy skin, especially hands and feet.
• Labour has started and you feel it is time to come to hospital.
• You have a booked caesarean birth and labour commences.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your health care provider or hospital straight away.

Please bring all you need for yourself and your baby for one day in 1-2 small overnight bags, as space is limited in the hospital. We suggest you bring:

For the mother

• your antenatal record and birth preferences planner (PDF 534.71KB) (PDF 534.71KB)
• your own clothes to wear during labour and birth. A comfortable cotton nightshirt or long t-shirt or sarongs are suitable (you may need more than one if you wish to be covered while in the shower or bath) and comfortable underwear
• sanitary adhesive pads
• maternity bras or crop top, breast (nursing) pads (disposable or cloth, not plastic lined)
• comfortable clothing, suitable when breastfeeding: t-shirts, shorts, trousers or leggings for day wear, pyjamas, nightshirts, dressing gown and non-slip footwear
• toiletries and tissues
• massage oil
• your favourite food and drink to keep up your energy levels, preferably these should be nonperishable; special foods that require cooling or heating must be carried and stored safely
• Your mobile phone with selection of music, relaxation or affirmations for different stages of labour; some speakers available, but you may bring your own, labelled (all optional but may be helpful), phone charger lead.
• notepad or book and pen.

Please leave all valuables at home – there is nowhere to secure them safely in the hospital.

For the support person

• wear closed-in shoes for safety in the birthing service
• change of clothes - swimwear if assisting mother in shower or bath
• jacket or warm clothing for cool air conditioning
• snacks and drinks
• toothbrush and toothpaste.

For baby

• at least three singlets
• at least three sets of clothing (everyday clothes)
• at least three bunny rugs or baby wraps (suggest brushed cotton if cold weather, fine cotton or muslin type if warm weather)
• one packet of cotton buds (for ‘cord’ care)
• optional: bath solution or baby soap, baby lotion or wipes (just water for baby is fine)
• a small pack of disposable nappies (your hospital may supply some nappies during your hospital stay)
• if you are formula feeding your baby, bring a tin of your choice of infant formula - sterile bottles and teats will be provided only while you are in hospital
• an approved baby restraint, as required by law, should be fitted to your car. It is strongly suggested that you do this when you are about 34-36 weeks pregnant. If you need help with this, check the Transport NSW website for fitting stations located near you.

• If you think you are in labour or having contractions, contact your birthing suite or your midwife who can advise you on what to do next. They will then be expecting you when you arrive.
• If you have any vaginal loss, you can wear a sanitary pad.
• Have your support person drive safely and use your seat belt with lap belt positioned below your baby. Have old towels available to catch leaks if they occur, and an old ice-cream bucket in case of nausea or vomiting.
• In NSW, an ambulance ride can be very expensive; it is strongly suggested that you join an ambulance fund for your family emergency situations, if you are not already covered by private health insurance (this may be done through any major private health fund office or online).
• Bring your antenatal record. Your antenatal record provides us with your history and plan of management for labour and birth. Please carry it at all times and present it to the midwife or receptionist on your arrival at the birth suite.

We welcome people who will support and encourage you throughout labour and birth. There is room for a maximum of 2 support people at any one time in the birth suite.

Doulas

It is your choice who supports you during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. A doula is a layperson who provides continuous support during the antenatal, childbirth and postnatal period. The doula attends as an employee of the woman giving birth. Under normal circumstances, you're able to have 2 support people with you in the birthing suite. A doula is to be considered one of the 2 support people.

Hunter New England LHD is open to the use of doulas at birth, and maternity services will facilitate a productive, receptive environment for doulas to support women. However, the District clearly states that it does not accept responsibility and is not accountable for any actions or advice given to labouring women by doulas.

Learn more in our doula factsheet (PDF 184.75KB) (PDF 184.75KB).

Children

There are no childcare facilities available in the maternity unit. If you would like to have your children present for labour and birth, we request you have 1 adult, other than your main support person to care and supervise. However, the limit of 2 additional people at a time will also need to be considered. Please discuss before birth with your healthcare providers.

All the Maternity sites in our District have a birthing suite with midwives who provide care for women in labour.

During your pregnancy, ask your midwife and/or doctor how and where to locate the birthing suite at your local hospital, so you will know where to go when the time comes.

When you arrive at the hospital, go to the birth suite reception desk or maternity unit reception, where you will be met by a midwife and taken to an available room.

John Hunter Hospital (JHH) is the referral hospital for the rural sites and if needed can collaborate and give advice if any concerns arise during labour and birth. There are occasions when during this time you may need to be transferred to a larger hospital to provide you safe and appropriate pregnancy or labour care.

View our virtual tours available for JHH birthing suite, birth centre and Belmont birthing service.

John Hunter Hospital Maternity Services

Belmont Midwifery Group Practice Birth Suite