Maternity services are offered at two of our South West Healthcare (SWH) campuses, Warrnambool and Camperdown. Warrnambool has approximately 700 births per year and Camperdown 50. Whilst this website has relevant information for all women and their pregnancies some information may be specific to just the Warrnambool campus, please see the Camperdown Maternity Unit page for more information specific to Camperdown.
At SWH the midwives on the Maternity Ward will provide care for you during the labour and post-natal period, until you are discharged home. The time you spend in hospital will depend on the type of birth you have had. For uncomplicated vaginal births discharge can occur from 6hrs and Caesarean Sections can be discharged from 26-48hrs. There may be occasions where your midwife or doctor may recommend a longer stay in hospital and your discharge date may be altered according to your needs.
The Maternity Ward at Warrnambool is located on level 2 of the Warrnambool Base Hospital. It comprises of 12 postnatal beds, 4 birthing suites, and 2 assessment beds. The unit consists of single rooms and double rooms; there is a visitor’s sitting room, a pantry to help yourself to tea/coffee, a feeding room to store your milk or make bottles up and a nursery that has facilities for bathing your baby.
Women are supported by both midwives and doctors who provide care surrounding all aspects of pregnancy, labour and postnatal care for women and babies. A midwife will be assigned to your care at all times. All questions are important, so please use the call bell system so your midwife can come and help you. You will have your baby with you at your bedside during the day and night, this will help you to get to know your baby.
We are a teaching hospital and there is an expectation that you will see students during you labour and birth, please advise us if you do not want this to occur.
Our service also includes access to a lactation consultant to support you in your breastfeeding journey. There is also a Special Care Nursery if your baby needs additional care. If your baby is admitted to the special care nursery you are also encouraged to be there with your baby as much as possible.
It can be difficult to decide when labour has stated and when to come to hospital. If you are unsure if you should come to hospital, you can ring the Maternity Ward at any time for advice. The midwives are able to speak to you or your support person on the phone.
The midwife will ask you about your contractions (when they started, strength and frequency), if your waters have broken (colour and amount), your GBS swab result and your baby’s movements.
The midwife will also ask about your previous births and where you live. This information will assist the midwife in being able to give you the correct advice on when and how to come in.
The Ryot Street main entrance to South West Healthcare is for women accessing Maternity Services and those attending the Birth Suite during the hours of 7.00am to 7.00pm. After hours you are to enter via the Emergency Department.
Once inside the hospital please proceed to the Maternity Ward which is located on level 2. Use the elevator opposite the front kiosk (Cafe Nosh), go to level 2 and turn right.
Once you are down the end of the corridor, there is an intercom on the wall in front of the doors to maternity. If the doors are shut please press the button so our reception staff can assist in letting you in. Head down to the nurse station and the receptionist/ midwives can assist you.
Changes have been made to the maternity services visitor/support person’s policy to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Birth Suite: You may have 2 support persons during the labour, designated by the woman in birth suite.
Maternity ward: there is no longer a time limit for the partner visiting the maternity ward. Visiting hours for family/friends 11am-7pm.
Special Care Nursery: only the parents/guardians of the baby are able to visit (maximum two people).
Please note: policies are reviewed daily and may change at any time. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to visitors and visiting hours.
Due to COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of patients and staff, visitor restrictions are subject to change. To view the most up-to-date visitor restrictions found here.
Mothers of new babies can fall while in hospital. This information will help you to reduce your chance of falling while in hospital.
As a new mother you may have an increased risk of falling if you:
If you have any of these risks, staff will advise you on how to stay safe.
Ensure you take your time and familiarise yourself with your room and bathroom; getting up slowly from your bed or chair and use your call bell for assistance as soon as you need it.
The midwives will generally advise you to pack your bags between 34 and 36 weeks. Please leave your valuables at home.
SWH will provide baby wraps/bunny rugs/blankets.
You will need to provide the following for the remainder of your stay:
If you would like to bring in any of your own food and drinks whilst you are in the birth suite or on the maternity ward, please let your midwife know and they will label what you bring in and put it in the refrigerator.
If you are bringing in expressed breastmilk for your baby, please give this to your midwife when you arrive and they will organise to have it stored in the special care nursery refrigerator.