Norwest Private Hospital Maternity Unit
Welcome to our Maternity facility at Norwest Private Hospital. We offer excellent, professional obstetric and midwifery care to mothers and babies in our 37 bed Maternity ward and 24 hour Well Baby Nursery. There are 31 private rooms, some with double beds and three, two-bed shared rooms. The rooms all have ensuite facilities, flat screen TVs, telephones, personal safes for valuables and small refrigerators. A Patient Information Handbook is available in each room to provide you with information regarding the hospital’s services.
Our staff is comprised of very experienced midwives and mothercraft nurses who work alongside a team of Obstetricians and Paediatricians, all of whom are committed to providing mothers and babies with individualised, evidence based care and family involvement.
Birth Suite
We have seven spacious, modern birth suites, each with its own ensuite bathroom and television. A range of active birth accessories such as beanbags, mirrors, birth stool etc. are available as well as the use of modern birthing beds that can be adjusted to provide individual comfort
Well Baby Nursery
Our Well Baby Nursery is staffed 24 hours a day with experienced midwives, lactation consultants and mothercraft nurses to deal with feeding and baby care situations.
Special Care Nursery
Norwest Private Hospital has a Level 2 Special Care Nursery that can provide specialised care for premature and sick infants from 33 weeks gestation. If a higher level of care is required then the transfer of the infant to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can be arranged.
Early Childhood Clinic
Our Early Childhood Clinic runs full time, Monday to Friday. It is staffed by trained Early Childhood nurses who are also Lactation consultants with many years experience. It is available from birth to 5 years for the babies and young children who are born at Norwest Private Hospital. Appointments are necessary and a fee is charged.
Maternity Virtual Tour
Birthing Suite, Well Baby Nursery, Postnatal Ward, Special Care Nursery.
Childbirth and Early Parenting Classes
Here at Norwest Private we have a range of 6 week evening and Saturday prenatal classes that cover labour and birth preparation as well as preparation for the early parenting period. Our prenatal classes provide comprehensive information on a range of subjects for first-time parents. Labour and birth preparation topics range from when to come to hospital, pain relief options, self-help measures for first and second stage labour to obstetric procedures, if additional assistance is required. Our early parenting topics cover an array of information on what to expect when you go home with your newborn, safe infant sleeping and how to reduce the risk of SIDS, postnatal mood changes and community support for parents. A tour of the Maternity unit is also conducted as part of the program. Our prenatal program is very focused on the needs of our clients. Hence, clients will have an opportunity to cover other information if they desire over the duration of the course.
Our classes are facilitated by experienced Midwives. Classes are conducted every night of the week (Monday through to Friday) and run for 6 weeks. Clients have the option of attending a 2 hour or 2.5 hour session for 6 weeks. Some evenings even start at 5pm for those expectant couples wanting an earlier session, otherwise session starting times vary from 6-7.30pm.
Alternatively, clients may like to attend our Saturday sessions which are condensed over 3 consecutive Saturdays. These sessions commence at 9.30am and run for 4.5 hours. We have also recently commenced an afternoon Saturday program that will run over 4 Saturdays. These sessions will go for 3 hours. Our 6 week evening and Saturday programs are designed for first time parents.
Classes are subject to availability. It is essential that clients book into these classes as early as possible as they are extremely popular. Bookings can be made at the first Booking appointment at Norwest Private.
Please note that classes may be covered as part of your health fund package. Please enquire during your booking visit at Norwest Private.
Additional Prenatal Classes offered through Norwest Private:
Breastfeeding Program
This is a one-off 2 hour session which focuses on tips for successful breastfeeding and aims to provide clients with more confidence with breastfeeding their baby. Breastfeeding classes are facilitated by fully qualified Lactation Consultants and are usually run during the week and on some Saturdays.
Expectant Dads Program
This is a one off 2.5 hour evening program for first time Dads to be and is facilitated by a male facilitator. The course covers information on the emotional and physical changes that women may experience in pregnancy, how the baby may impact on the couple’s relationship and coping changes for same, tips on communicating with your partner and where men can get help in the community. This is a unique opportunity for expectant dads to talk in an all male environment about the changes that impending fatherhood. Expectant Dads usually book into this class when they attend the 6 week or Saturday program. Sessions are offered every 4-6 weeks.
Refresher Class
The Refresher program is designed for second time parents who would like to refresh on key topics such as when to come to hospital, stages of labour, pain relief options and also includes a tour of our Maternity Unit. The Refresher program is very focused on the needs of the couples attending the class and therefore other topics can also be covered if clients express this to the facilitator.
The Refresher program is a one off 3 hour program which is usually conducted in the evening. Clients can book into the Refresher program during their first Booking appointment with one of our Midwives.
Booking In
Once you have seen your chosen Obstetrician for the first appointment, you need to make an appointment to see our Booking Sister. The appointment usually takes about 30 minutes.
To make an appointment please ring: 8882 8585 between 10am – 11am Monday to Friday
Your Booking Appointment
Please bring with you:
· The Pre-admission Form (given to you by your Obstetrician) fully completed.
· Health Fund Membership details – contact your fund direct to confirm your level of cover and any excess or co-payments you have.
· A non-refundable booking fee of $60 is required at the time of booking. We prefer this to be on a credit card or eftpos.
· If you wish to attend Antenatal Classes, we will book these during your appointment. These cost $370 for both the six week course and three week Saturday series. PAYMENT IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF BOOKING. Some Health Funds are in an arrangement with Healthscope Hospitals and no fee will be charged. The Booking sister will advise you if your fund is one of these.
Tours of the Unit
Our Maternity Unit is located on the second floor of the hospital. Guided tours of the Unit are conducted Thursday evenings at 7pm and Saturday mornings at 10.30am. Clients are asked to wait in the waiting room opposite the Lifts on the second floor for the Booking Sister who will conduct the tour. No appointment is necessary.
Parking
There is a large car park at the basement level of the hospital. It should be noted that this car park is not operated nor managed by the hospital. The following are the 2010 charges:
Period Fee 0 – ½ hour………… $1.00
½ - 1 hour………… $2.00
1 – 1 ½ hours……… $3.00
1 ½ - 2 hours………. $4.00
2 – 3 hours………… $8.00
3 or more hours…… $11.00
Access After Hours
Security at Norwest Private Hospital is a major focus. The main hospital doors will automatically lock at 9pm each night. Access after this time is through the Emergency Department Reception area. Doors re-open at 5.30am.
N.B. Basement lifts for access into the building are not functional after 9pm, however the basement car park can be exited after this time.
Birth Suite patients should be driven to the upper deck of the car park in front of Reception after hours to gain access to the hospital through the Emergency Department.
Hudson’s Coffee Shop
Located on the Ground Floor of the hospital. They provide hot & cold beverages, light snacks and meals. Hours of operation are: 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday. 9am to 5pm Saturday. 10am to 5pm Sundays and Public Holidays.
Visiting Hours for Maternity
Maternity visiting hours are between 3pm – 4.30pm and 6.30pm – 8pm. Your partner and your children may visit at any time except during rest period. Please discourage any visitor, including family members, to visit if they are unwell.
Rest Period
12pm to 3pm each day has been designated for mother and baby rest period. For the comfort of yourself and other mothers in the unit, please ask your friends and relatives not to visit or telephone during this time.
Accommodation
The majority of rooms in the Maternity Unit are private. Every effort will be made to accommodate patients in a room of their choice, however no guarantees can be made due to the heavy demand for beds in the Unit.
Partners Staying Overnight
We have 15 double beds and four folding beds, which means we can accommodate up to 19 partners at any one time. Double beds are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. It is expected that if partners spend the night, your baby will room-in with you for the night. This encourages bonding and helps with parenting skills. Staff will be able to provide support and settling strategies if needed.
Partners Meals
Meals can be arranged through Reception at a nominal cost.
Baby Photo Service
A professional photographer can be arranged to take pictures of your baby at your request.
"Look@MyBaby"
Look@MyBaby allows you to privately share live video of your new baby in hospital with all your friends and family on their mobile phones and computers, wherever they are around the world. It is a Virtual Baby Visit. Parents with babies in Special Care Nurseries can also access live video during the times they cannot be in the hospital, subject to hospital protocols. No technical knowledge required, you just send an SMS/Email one-click unique access link to the Cot Camera in hospital. To find out more visit www.lookatmybaby.net
Postnatal Education
Our postnatal education program comprises of a series of videos and discussion groups. Educational DVD’s and videos are available at any time. Postnatal exercise sessions are conducted by our physiotherapists three times each week.
Going Home
Planning for going home is a vital component of your stay at Norwest. The anticipated length of stay following the birth of your baby is 4 nights for a vaginal birth and 5 nights for a caesarean section birth, providing there are no complications.
Discharge time is 9am.
Please ensure that you have a fully fitted child restraint secured in your car before taking the baby home. It is recommended that only an authorized fitting station fit any child safety restraint. Your nearest fitting station can be found by phoning the hospital or your local Road Traffic Authority office.
If you require any further information on our Maternity Unit, please don't hesitate to contact the hospital on 8882 8882.