Maternity Unit
Contact Details
Ward
|
 |
| Location: |
Rose Baker Ward, Echuca Regional Health |
| Phone: |
03 5485 5309 and 03 5485 5310 |
Domiciliary Midwifery
|
| Lesley Murphy |
| Hours: |
8:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday |
| Location: |
Rose Baker Ward, Echuca Regional Health |
| Phone: |
03 5485 5306 |
| Fax: |
03 5485 5320 |
Services
The maternity unit offers a friendly environment with caring and professional staff to assist with antenatal, birthing and early parenting experience.
We are accredited as Baby Friendly under the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFHI). This means we protect promote and support women who choose to breastfeed their babies.
It is necessary to book into the hospital to have your baby. We recommend that you book in between 12-24 weeks gestation. Contact Rose Baker Wing for an appointment.
At your first doctor’s visit your weight and height will be recorded and your body mass index (BMI) calculated. If your BMI is over 40, for your health and safety you will be referred to another higher facility hospital for your birth.
During your pregnancy:
Antenatal Program
The antenatal program is designed to give a simple and clear understanding of your pregnancy, labour, birth and aftercare. A midwife will answer your questions and provide information to allay any anxieties and help you gain knowledge and skills to make informed choices during this time.
Women can choose from a number of different ways to receive their medical and nursing care:
- GP Obstetrician -The GP Obstetrician provides all antenatal care and advice in the practice rooms.
- Shared ERH Midwife- GP antenatal care - Experienced midwives employed by ERH will provide the majority of antenatal care in conjunction with the woman’s chosen GP at designated weeks of the pregnancy.
- Shared Private Midwife Practitioner - GP Obstetrician.
Birthing
Rose Baker Wing has a variety of facilities including a Birthing Suite and Labour Room. The Birthing Suite is a comfortable modern room equipped with spa bath, queen size bed and kitchenette. You may stay here for 24 hours after birth of your baby.
The Labour Room is simply furnished and once you have birthed you will be moved from the labour ward to the post natal area of Rose Baker wing for the rest of your stay.
Some women choose to birth at home with a private community based midwife. These midwifes are not employed by ERH, however if hospital care is required the private midwife may accompany the woman to ERH in a support role.
After the birth
Babies generally stay with their mother. However under some medical circumstances, babies can be moved to the Nursery. The Echuca Regional Health Nursery is recognized as a level one Nursery with basic emergency and higher level care equipment. Babies who require facilities greater than a level one nursery are transferred to other hospitals such as those in Bendigo, Melbourne or Shepparton.
There are both single and shared rooms, and some have ensuite facilities.
A telephone is available beside each bed. Public patients can only receive incoming calls. Outgoing calls are free for private patients. Mobile phones may be used when appropriate as advised by staff.
A television is available with each bed.
The Riverine Herald visits the ward regularly, if you wish your baby and you /your family to have their photograph taken.
At home
After discharge you may elect to have a free home visit from the domiciliary Midwife who will be able to provide support. We are able to travel to most places; otherwise your domiciliary care will be transferred to a hospital that is closer to you.
For support with feeding, the domiciliary midwife can organise a time for you to see the lactation consultant or you can talk to a midwife any time.
For additional information, please download the Echuca Regional Health antenatal booklet.
Antenatal Booklet (479 KB)
Resources
Private Patient initiative
