About our pregnancy, birth and baby services
Your Pregnancy
Pregnancy and birth are normal life events, and our aim is to promote a nurturing environment for all women and their families. Our focus is on providing women and their families a healthy and positive experience during the pregnancy, birth, and early parenting journey.
When to contact maternity services
We suggest that women come for their initial appointment around 14 weeks of pregnancy. This allows for planning and to provide the best care for you and your baby or babies. Your partner or support person, midwife and the obstetric team will also be involved in planning your pregnancy care with you.
If you develop complications
Some pregnant women may need to have additional specialised care in a larger health facility during their pregnancy, however, in most cases, the care can be shared with your local maternity service. It’s important to contact your local service so the midwives can get to know you and work with you so that you and your baby receive the best care in the right place and at the right time.
Pregnancy care
Begin your journey into pregnancy with comprehensive care, which includes assistance in scheduling, planning for care and ongoing care during your pregnancy and the chance to familiarise yourself with your chosen maternity service.
Most maternity services in Murrumbidgee offer Midwifery care in collaboration with the GP Obstetrician or Obstetrician. Your local Maternity Service will be happy to talk about their care model and provide more information.
During this visit, your Midwife will talk to you about your overall health and ask questions about your current and past pregnancies. Please bring any recent pathology or ultrasound reports with you.
Your Midwife will start your "hand-held" pregnancy record, go over routine antenatal tests and screenings, and discuss any potential risk factors. They will assist you and your partner to plan your antenatal care.
Antenatal care education is available for women and their partners at all birthing sites across Murrumbidgee. Speak with your midwife when you attend your first antenatal appointment to book in for these classes.
Our service locations
Care options in MLHD
In MLHD we want to provide you with various “Models of Care”.
Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) provides you with a known midwife who cares for you during your pregnancy, your birth and postnatal (after birth) time.
Midwives are trained specialists in normal pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal (after birth) care. The MGP can consult as required with a senior hospital obstetrician during your pregnancy.
This service is available at Wagga and Leeton.
Midwife and doctor clinics are staffed by our team of hospital-based doctors and midwives. These staff members will provide antenatal (before birth) care throughout your pregnancy, and you may also be cared for them during birth and in the postnatal (after birth) clinic.
This is available at all MLHD maternity sites
Any woman with identified complexities during their pregnancy will be referred to the complex care clinic. This clinic will enable you to discuss with the Obstetrician your plan for care and determine management plans for the pregnancy.
These are available at Wagga and Griffith. If you are at another hospital and require higher level care, then your hospital will do shared care with either Wagga or Griffith depending on your clinical need and choice.
If you develop Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy, you maybe refereed to the Diabetes in Pregnancy clinic. This clinic specialises in providing care for women who has GDM. The midwife and Obstetrician will assist in your journey alongside a diabetic educator and dietician.
These are available at Wagga and Griffith. If you are at another hospital and require higher level care, then your hospital will do shared care with either Wagga or Griffith depending on your clinical need and choice.
After the birth of your baby, midwives can visit you in your home to provide care and support. If you have relocated for birthing care, you home community hospital maybe able to provide this care.
This service is currently available at Wagga and Leeton.
GPs who are trained in obstetrics or specialist doctors (obstetricians) may provide shared maternity care for women during pregnancy. Women who have a normal pregnancy and women with health concerns or pregnancy risks can access this care.
This choice is available for all women. Your doctor and midwife will guide you and arrange appointments as needed. You will choose the hospital for labour and birth with your health team.
This is available at all MLHD maternity sites.
For expecting parents
We are here to support you throughout your pregnancy, birth, and after your baby is born.
Maternity Services in Murrumbidgee have a scope of services they can offer to women.
- Wagga is a Level 5 Maternity unit,
- Griffith is a Level 4 Maternity unit,
- Cootamundra, Deniliquin, Young, Tumut and Temora are Level 3 Maternity units,
- Leeton is a Level 2 Maternity unit
To book your initial pregnancy care appointment with our Maternity Services contact us via telephone.
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital
To book your initial pregnancy care appointment with Wagga Base Hospital Maternity Services fill out our new online booking form or contact us via telephone.
Getting ready for this special time is so exciting, and knowing what to pack is a big part of getting ready. It's a good idea to have a bag packed and ready by around 28 weeks, just in case.
Call the maternity unit to talk about any special things you want to bring and let them know when you're coming to the hospital so they can be ready for you.
Here's a list of things you should bring:
- Maternity pads: After having your baby, you'll have bleeding for a few weeks. Bring lots of special maternity pads with you, as tampons and menstrual cups are not recommended during this time.
- Comfy underwear: You'll want large, comfortable undies that can hold a pad. It's best if you don't mind throwing them away if they get messy.
- Clothes for you: Bring a few changes of comfortable, soft clothing, especially if you plan to breastfeed. Dark clothes are recommended to hide breastmilk leaks. If you're breastfeeding, also bring breastfeeding pads (disposable or non-disposable).
- Clothes for your baby: Bring a few changes of clothing for your baby, like onesies and cotton singlets.
- Nappies: You'll need a couple of packets of nappies and some baby wipes.
- Formula: If you plan to formula feed, bring your chosen formula, bottles, and teats.
- Toiletries: Bring your own soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, and anything you need for your baby. Avoid using powder for both you and your baby.
- Snacks: When breastfeeding, you might get really hungry. Have healthy snacks and drinks on hand, especially for nighttime feedings.
- Music: Prepare a playlist for labor and birth.
- Phone: You can bring your phone to the maternity unit. Just remember to bring a charger and take it home with you.
Important: Not all vomiting is because of pregnancy.
Many women experience nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, with some suffering from a severe form called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Murrumbidgee Local Health District has support services available to assist women who may be experiencing these symptoms during their pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, experiencing nausea and vomiting and finding it hard to eat and drink, or it’s impacting your day-to-day life, you need to seek advice as soon as possible. Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) can have a huge impact on your emotional, mental and physical health, so it is important you get the support and treatment you need.
- There is support available for you in Western NSW through your local:
- General practitioner (GP)
- Hospital emergency department
- Antenatal clinic or maternity unit
- Aboriginal maternal & infant health service (AMIHS)
- Outpatient services (including appointments or hospital day stays for HG treatment and IV fluids)
- Private obstetrician
Your health care team may offer you advice or treatment options based on your specific needs, symptoms and the severity of your condition. These options might include:
- Vitamins or supplements
- Prescription medications
- Intravenous (IV) fluids
- Psychosocial support (through a social worker)
- Advice about your activity levels, diet and fluid intake (through a dietician)
To connect with the services above that may be offered through the public health system in Murrumbidgee, contact your local health service.
If you or someone you know is feeling distressed and needs urgent help, call our AccessLine at 1800 800 944.
English is not your first language
If English is not your first language, you can use the Telephone Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) to talk to a mental health professional at the Mental Health Line. TIS National is free and available 24 hours, 7 days.
Call TIS National at 131 450 and ask them to connect you to the Mental Health Line at 1800 011 511.
Visiting a new mother in hospital
Many families are sharing their preferences for hospital visits, but if you're unsure and want to visit a new mum, here are some things to think about:
- check the hospital's visiting hours to avoid disappointment
- always ask the family if it's okay to visit and bring children
- use the handwash provided before and after entering the room
- keep your visit short to let the mom and baby have their special time
- if you're family, ask before holding the baby
- if you're not feeling well, stay home to avoid spreading infections, as new mums can be sensitive to this.
Breastfeeding support
Breast milk provides all the nutrition a baby needs for the first six months of life
Breastfeeding is not always easy and can be tiring, especially at first. If you have trouble breastfeeding, ask for help from a midwife, lactation consultant, child and family health nurse or the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Some women, for different reasons, are unable or don’t wish to breastfeed. If this is your experience, you can still use feeding time to cuddle and bond with your baby. Talk to your paediatrician, midwife, child and family health nurse or dietitian about infant formula.
Child and family health staff in Murrumbidgee are experienced with helping families to establish breastfeeding and can support families with any concerns. This support is free for NSW parents and carers of children aged 0-5 years.
Our friendly and welcoming staff can provide guidance for any point in your breastfeeding journey, from establishing feeding in a newborn through to assisting with breastfeeding issues for children 6 months of age or older.
Whatever support you may need, reach out to connect with your local child and family health team.
Key contacts
| Service | Contact information |
|---|---|
| District Midwifery Manager | Phone: 0429 076 157 |
| Cootamundra Health Service | Phone: (02) 6942 0475 |
| Deniliquin Hospital | Phone: (03) 5882 2840 |
| Griffith Base Hospital | Phone: (02) 6969 5555 |
| Leeton Midwifery Group Practice Midwives | Phone: (02) 5943 2148 Email: MLHD-Leeton-Midwives@health.nsw.gov |
| Narrandera Health Service | Phone: (02) 6951 0200 |
| Temora Hospital | Phone: (02) 6980 0200 |
| Tumut Hospital | Phone: (02) 6947 0866 |
| Wagga Wagga Base Hospital | Phone: (02) 5943 2330 |
| Young Hospital | Phone: (02) 6382 8817 |
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Virtual care appointments
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