It is important to contact the Midwifery Unit for advice on 5022 3480 before you come in if you are experiencing any of the following: 

• Reduction in the baby’s movements
• Sudden gush of fluid or a continual leakage of fluid from your vagina (ruptured membranes)
• Bleeding from the vagina, no matter how small the amount
• Regular painful contractions or abdominal cramping
• Premature labour (regular contractions at less than 37 weeks gestation)
• Persistent nausea and / or vomiting
• Constant itching
• Sudden swelling of hands, feet or face, visual disturbances, persistent headache, nausea
• Fever
• Burning sensation on urination / urinary problems of any kind
• Increased vaginal discharge that is itchy / irritating
• You are concerned, anxious or uncertain of what is happening

Antenatal record / Victorian Maternity Record

For Labour: 

• Your completed birth preferences/plan (in your handheld VMR- orange book)
• Clothes for labour – old t-shirt, warm socks, old knickers and tracksuit for afterwards
• Own pillow (labelled) if desired
• Heat wheat pack
• Spray water bottle (non-aerosol) for cooling
• Stress balls
• Snacks including juices, fruit bars and jelly beans or lollies.
• Thongs or slippers
• Lip balm for dry lips
• Camera/phone/music devise
• Diffuser oils

Support Person:

• Bathers/shorts for shower and bath
• Enclosed shoes needed in case you need to go to theatre as a support person
• Coins for vending machine

For Mum:

• Personal toiletries (soap, creams, lip balm, deodorant, hairbrush, tooth brush and paste)
• Front-opening or loose-fitting nighties or tops for breastfeeding
• Maternity pads
• Comfortable clothes
• Night attire (dressing gown, slippers)
• Underwear – several pairs needed after the birth
• Nursing bra, nursing pads
• Thongs or slippers (Footwear MUST be worn around the ward at all times)
• Bag for laundry

For Baby: 

• Beanies
• Singlets x4
• Jumpsuits x4
• Wraps
• Baby wipes
• Newborn nappies for while in hospital
• If formula feeding, please bring bottles, formula and sterilizing equipment.
• Infant car restraint fitted in your car (for day of discharge)

For a normal birth your stay will be 24-48 hours if no complications.

For a Caesarean birth your stay will be 48-72 hours if no complications.

We encourage early discharge (>4 hours after the birth) for anyone who has had a normal birth with no complications. 

There is no cost to accessing these sessions

• Open discussion and opportunity for questions
• The process of labour and what to expect
• When to contact the hospital
• Managing your labour including an introduction to active birth
• Caesarean Section
• The role of the support person
• Physiotherapist presentation
• Birth Suite Tour
• And MUCH more.

If you would like to participate, please notify us via email at rduncan@mbph.org.au  for enrolments in:

• Childbirth Education Classes, and/or
• Learning to Breastfeed and Caring for Your    Baby Class

Please include your name, estimated due date and best contact number

Please call Midwifery on 5022 3480 for any queries.  In the meantime, we offer the link to the Royal Women's Hospital (Melbourne) antenatal education – please remember, the phone numbers on this link are not for MBPH.
https://www.thewomens.org.au/patients-visitors/cbe