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Women's and Newborn Services provide obstetric care to women with low to moderate risk pregnancies. Care is provided throughout the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period by a team of midwives, doctors, and allied health staff.
Antenatally women have three options of care: Shared Care with a GP, with the GP attending the birth; Shared Care with OPH clinic staff attending the birth; and all care being provided by OPH.
Intrapartum (labour) care is provided in luxuriously appointed birth suites with individual sitting rooms and ensuite bathrooms. A spa bath is also part of the birth suite complex.
Postnatal care is provided on the ward and at home (for those women within our catchment area).
The Midwifery and Obstetric staff form part of an experienced team dedicated to providing excellent care to all women. No staff shortages are experienced. We cater to all people and cultures. Our excellent support services consist of social workers, physiotherapists, lactation consultants and psychiatrists.
Snoezelen Room
Osborne Park Hospital is the first hospital in Australia to open a Snoezelen Room for maternity patients. It is designed to promote deep relaxation and wellbeing, particularly for hypertensive and breastfeeding women, through the use of special lighting, sound, images and aromatic oils.
Buffet Breakfast
Another Osborne Park Hospital innovation welcomed by patients is the Buffet Breakfast option. This enables new mothers to socialise over a self-serve light breakfast of fresh toast, cereal and hot and cold drinks.
Antenatal Services
Osborne Park Hospital offers three options for care throughout pregnancy.
- Option 1: Care is provided by your GP up to and including the birth (if your GP has obstetric privileges) with visits to our antenatal clinic planned at particular stages in the pregnancy.
- Option 2: Care is provided on a shared arrangement between the hospital and your GP. At 36 weeks in your pregnancy you stay with the hospital care, including the birth of your baby.
- Option 3: All care in the pregnancy and birth is provided by the hospital.
For further information telephone: (08) 9346 8010. See also the Antenatal Referral Form (PDF, 66 Kb)
Antenatal Classes/Parenthood Preparation Classes
Classes are held each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evening. There is a series of four classes focussing on preparation for labour and birth and for the adjustment to parenthood. These classes are conducted by a midwife and a physiotherapist.
An 'Early Bird' class is also held once per month for women in early pregnancy to provide guidance in relation to a healthy pregnancy. This class is also attended by a dietitian.
Bookings for these classes are made when you attend the antenatal clinic.
Homecare Midwifery Program
A midwife is available to visit you and your baby at home if you live within the visiting area. If you have a vaginal birth and go home on or before day 3, you will be eligible for a visit. If you have a caesarean section and go home on or before day 4 you will also be eligible for a visit. The day you have your baby is counted as day 0.
The midwife will visit you for the first two days you are at home, and then alternate days or as necessary. Each situation will be assessed individually. The midwife will do physical checks on you and your baby and discuss feeding, settling and any other concerns you may have. Your baby will be weighed, and the Newborn Screening blood test performed on your baby on day 5. The midwife will also advise you of any other tests or referrals that may be necessary.
When you are discharged from the Midwife's care you will see your local child health nurse within two weeks, or earlier if necessary.
We may also visit you at home antenatally, but only if you meet strict criteria for blood pressure assessment.
Last modified: 19th August 2009.
