Southern Health Maternity Units
Monash Medical Centre, Clayton
Monash Medical Centre, Clayton is one of three large obstetric teaching hospitals in Melbourne.
The hospital’s Women’s Health Program offers
pregnant women:
The Women’s Health Program also:
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Map: (to show parking, main entrance, emergency, antenatal clinics, café etc)
Address: 246
Clayton Road
Clayton, 3168
Melway map: 79, D1
Phone: 9594 6666 (hospital switchboard)
Models of care
To see the options
for antenatal care at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton
click here …
Smoking
Monash
Medical Centre, Clayton is smoke free. Patients and their visitors may smoke
only in areas outside hospital buildings.
Because cigarette smoke is damaging to the health of both the smoker and others, we strongly encourage you not to expose your baby and other children to cigarette smoke.
Women who attend Monash Medical Centre, Clayton for antenatal care and who are smokers are offered information and support to stop smoking or to cut down on the number of cigarettes they smoke. We also provide written information about the QUIT program.
Information about antenatal care
Getting started with
antenatal care
After an initial
enquiry about antenatal care you are sent an appointment for a booking visit.
At this visit, you see a midwife in
the Antenatal Clinic and discuss decisions about your pregnancy care, taking
into account your preferences, your suitability and what is available. As each
antenatal clinic takes a limited number of women each month, we cannot
guarantee that you will be able to have your first choice.
The booking visit is an opportunity also to find out about hospital services and to discuss your health during pregnancy, to talk about previous pregnancy and birth experiences and any other concerns.
You will be given:
Postnatal planning discussion
Later in pregnancy
(usually around 28 weeks), there is another opportunity to have an extended
discussion with a midwife during an antenatal visit. You’ll be notified
beforehand, so you can think about the questions, you may wish to ask. Topics
usually covered in this session include preparing for the birth of your baby,
what happens in hospital, the Maternal and Child Health Service, planning for
discharge from hospital, breastfeeding, your recovery after birth and coping at
home with a new baby.
Childbirth Education
Childbirth Education
sessions are run by midwives and physiotherapists. We suggest you start coming
to this series of six classes at about 28 weeks.
Hospital tours
These are conducted
on the first Monday of each month at 5.30pm. No booking is necessary. Women and their partners meet the
midwife in the Antenatal Clinic. You will be shown
around Delivery Suite (where you give birth) and a postnatal ward (where you
and baby are cared for after birth). You can ask any questions you wish. The
tour lasts about 45 minutes.
Rights and responsibilities as a patient
What you can expect:
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 who's happy now? |
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If you’re over 18 years, you may refuse treatment or leave hospital against the advice of your doctor at any time, but you should be aware of any problems that might result. |
We expect you to:
Teaching and research
Monash Medical Centre, Clayton is a major teaching hospital. Medical and midwifery students observe or may participate in your care under supervision.
Research involving women and their babies, is carried out at the Clayton campus. All research projects have the approval of the Southern Health Research and Ethics Committee. You may be asked to take part in one or more projects during your pregnancy, birth or after birth. You have the right to refuse. Before taking part in a research project you’ll be given written information explaining what it’s about and you’ll be asked to sign a consent form. If you change your mind at any stage, you have the right to withdraw.
If you decide that you don’t want a student to attend you, or if you refuse to take part in a research project, your medical and midwifery care will not be affected in any way.
Information about hospital services
Interpreting Services
The hospital employs
interpreters in a wide range of community languages to translate for women and
their families. On weekdays they’re available between 9.00am and 5.00pm. At weekends and after hours the Telephone Interpreting
Service is used, as necessary.
Family Language Program
Women working in the
Adult Multicultural Education Service help women from non English speaking
backgrounds with English language. They use the waiting time in the Antenatal
Clinic to teach women words and phrases related to pregnancy, birth and caring
for a new baby.
Allied Health Services
The hospital employs
physiotherapists, dieticians, and social workers. You can ask to see a
physiotherapist or a dietician either at an antenatal visit, or by ringing the
Antenatal Clinic. You need a referral, which, a midwife or a doctor can write
for you.
No referral is necessary if you want to talk to a social worker. You can ring the Social Work Department on 9594 2290/1 to make an appointment.
The Physiotherapy Department also runs classes, which teach about safe exercise, fitness during pregnancy and correct posture. These classes are free of charge.
For more information about these classes you can ring the Physiotherapy Department on 9594 2250.
Physiotherapy after birth
From Monday to Friday
a physiotherapist visits the postnatal ward daily. She sees women who need her
help and advice.
An exercise class is held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the postnatal ward.
Fetal Diagnostic Unit
The Fetal Diagnostic
Unit provides assessment, management and counselling.
You may like to contact them if:
Your doctor can refer you to the unit, or if you just want more information, you can get in touch yourself by ringing 9594 2343.
Drug information Centre
This hospital based
service gives information and advice about any type of drug. They are happy to
answer questions regarding you, your baby or family. Ring 9594 2361 between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Information about labour and birth care
Support in labour
You are free to
choose support people to stay with you during labour and birth, but we do
suggest that you plan to have no more than three. Children are welcome, but
there must be an adult to take responsibility for their care.
Facilities in Delivery Suite
Each birth room has
an en suite with a shower but no bath. No meals are provided for support
people, but they can use the tea and coffee making facilities. Support people
may want to bring their own snacks or they can use the staff canteen or the
cafe.
Analgesia
Midwives support and
encourage women to use non-pharmacological methods of pain relief in labour
including a shower, heat packs and changes of position. Also available are
self-administered gas (Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen), the TENS machine, Pethidine by injection and epidural anaesthesia. If you
have an epidural an anaesthetist will insert it.
There are anaesthetists on duty, around the clock.
Information about care after birth
Rooming in
In all Southern
Health postnatal wards healthy babies remain with their mothers throughout the
hospital stay. Midwives are on hand around the clock to give help and support
with baby care.
Rooming in has many advantages including:
Feeding your baby
At Southern Health we
encourage breastfeeding. During pregnancy we offer you information and
opportunities to talk about feeding your baby. After birth midwives help and
support you in hospital and at home. All our midwives are familiar with
hospital policies that promote successful breastfeeding. If you are worried
about some aspect of breastfeeding during pregnancy or if you have difficulties
after birth you can arrange to speak to the lactation consultant.
Some women choose to feed their babies with formula and we respect their right to do so. If you decide to bottle feed your baby we give you the information and support you need.
Length of stay
The length of stay in
hospital after birth varies. For example:
Some women make plans during pregnancy to go home earlier than usual. If mother and baby are well and they have someone at home to look after them, this may be within 24 hours of the birth.
Continuing support after
discharge from hospital
As part of our
Extended Postnatal Care program we can arrange for a midwife to ring you or
visit you at home on either the day after discharge or the following day. This
will be discussed before you leave hospital. After you leave hospital, if you
need advice or reassurance, you can ring the postnatal ward and speak to a
midwife.
The hospital notifies your maternal and child health nurse about your birth. She usually contacts you about a week after birth and may offer to visit you at home. The name and telephone number of your nearest maternal and child health centre will be given to you before leaving hospital.
The Maternal & Child Health
Service
The local maternal and
child health centre is an important community resource for families with
children up to six years. The services provided by maternal and child health
nurses are free. We encourage you to find out more about your centre before the
birth of your baby.
The midwife you talk to in the latter part of pregnancy can tell you whom to contact, or you can ask at your local council office.
When your maternal and child health nurse gets in touch after birth, she suggests a time to visit the clinic. She keeps an eye on your baby’s growth and development, gives advice on feeding, safety and immunisation and takes an interest in your health too. She also lets you know about new parents’ groups, childcare facilities and parenting education opportunities.
Dandenong Hospital
The Maternity Unit provides care for women from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Our team of midwives gives women (and their families) information, advice and support through pregnancy, birth and the days after birth, in hospital and at home. In addition to the facilities at Dandenong, we can access other services provided by Southern Health.
Many people are involved in caring for women in our unit. As well as midwives there are doctors (consultant obstetricians, registrars and resident doctors), social workers, interpreters, cultural workers, dieticians, diabetic educators, physiotherapists, pastoral care workers, food monitors, enrolled nurses, patient care assistants and co-ordinators of community services.
Map: (to show parking, main entrance, emergency, café etc)
Address: David Street, Dandenong 3175
The Maternity Unit is situated at the rear of the hospital behind the Accident and Emergency building. Look for the sign, which reads ‘Emergency, Maternity, Pulmonary’.
The office of the midwife who does antenatal bookings is just inside the entrance. The Birth Unit and the postnatal ward are on Level 2.
Melway map: 90, E4
Phone:
9554 1000 (hospital switchboard) If you wish
to speak to the Birth Unit, ring this number and ask to be put through.
9554 8118 (Maternity Unit)
Facsimile: 9554 8182
Our smoking policy
The hospital has a no smoking policy. Patients and their
visitors may smoke only in areas outside
hospital buildings.
Because cigarette smoke is damaging to the health of both the smoker and others, we strongly encourage you not to expose your baby and other children to cigarette smoke.
Pregnancy and birth care - as a public patient
Dandenong Hospital does not provide an antenatal clinic, however we can help you find a GP, a GP obstetrician (a doctor with additional training in obstetrics) or a consultant obstetrician, for pregnancy care. The doctor you choose must have an association with the hospital. We can give you the names of several doctors. Ring 9554 1000 during business hours and ask for the Maternity reception desk.
If you wish to find out about the cost of your antenatal care ask the doctor or the doctor’s receptionist.
All women booked as public patients are invited to visit the hospital early in pregnancy and again before birth to talk with a midwife.
During your labour and birth our team of midwives and the hospital obstetric staff care for you. If there are problems, your GP obstetrician or consultant obstetrician is notified.
Midwives also care for you and baby in the postnatal wards, and can visit you at home after discharge, if you wish.
Our services include:
Getting started
At the first visit
with your doctor, you’ll be given a booking form to bring to the hospital. You
can then ring 9554 8258 to make an
appointment to see the antenatal booking midwife.
Do I need a referral?
You may make a time
to come to talk to the antenatal booking midwife without a referral. However,
if you want to book in to have your baby at Dandenong Hospital you will need a referral from a doctor associated with the
Maternity Department.
Once you have booked in, you may use hospital services (e.g. interpreters, physiotherapy, social work) without a referral.
Do I have to pay?
There is no charge
for your maternity care, but you do pay a small fee for the childbirth and
parenting sessions and for the special sessions run for women planning to give
birth in the Family Birth Room.
Written information
All women who book
for a birth at a Southern Health maternity unit receive a package of basic
information of leaflets and booklets with information about:
Leaflets on a wide range of other topics are also available.
Childbirth Education
Midwives and physiotherapists
run the classes. They cover topics such as pregnancy, labour and delivery,
drugs for pain relief and other ways of coping during labour and delivery.
Postnatal topics include breastfeeding, caring for your new baby and safety in
the home and on the road. At classes you also meet other women and their
partners, watch videos and have some fun.
If you want to ask about the cost of classes or dates and times ring 9554 8258.
Hospital tours
A tour of the Birth
Unit and postnatal area is included in the childbirth education sessions. As
well, tours are held each Thursday at 1.15pm. They last for 30 to 45 minutes and no appointment is
necessary. The Antenatal Midwife meets people taking the tour in the foyer of the
Maternity Unit between 1.00 - 1.15pm.
Rights and responsibilities as a patient
What you can expect:
|
If you’re over 18 years, you may refuse treatment or leave hospital against the advice of your doctor at any time, but you should be aware of any problems that might result. |
We expect you to:
Teaching and research
Dandenong Hospital is involved in the clinical education of medical and
midwifery students. A student may wish to observe or take part in your care
under supervision.
We also provide learning opportunities for students in nursing and in ambulance officer training.
We run a refresher course for midwives.
Research on many different topics, involving women and their babies, is carried out in Southern Health maternity units. All research projects have the approval of Southern Health Research and Ethics Committee. You may be asked to take part in one or more projects during your pregnancy, birth or after. Before you take part in a research project you’ll be given written information explaining what it’s about and you’ll be asked to sign a consent form. If you change your mind at any stage, you have the right to withdraw.
If you decide that you don’t want a student to attend you, or if you refuse to take part in a research project, your medical and midwifery care will not be affected in any way.
Information about hospital services
Interpreting service
You may ask for a
hospital interpreter at any time during pregnancy, birth or in the postnatal
period. If an interpreter isn’t available, the Telephone Interpreter Service is
used.
Allied Health Services
The hospital employs
physiotherapists, dieticians, and social workers. A midwife or your doctor can
refer you to any of these services if you wish.
Fetal Diagnostic Unit (situated at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton)
The Fetal Diagnostic
Unit provides assessment, management and counselling.
You may like to
contact them if:
Your doctor can refer you to the unit, or if you just want more information, you can get in touch yourself by ringing 9594 2343.
Drug information Centre (situated at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton)
This hospital based
service gives information and advice about any type of drug. They are happy to
answer questions regarding you, your baby or family. Ring 9594 2361 between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Information about labour and birth care
Support
in labour
You may choose to have one or
more people stay with you in the Birth Unit. Other visitors are welcome, as you
wish.
Family Birth Room
The Family Birth Room is
located in the hospital’s Birth Unit. It provides a homelike environment where
women, who are not likely to need interventions, can labour and give birth.
After birth, mother, baby and partner stay here together for up to 24 hours. We
encourage women who use the Family Birth Room to plan to go home after this
period.
If you’re interested, you need to arrange an interview and classes soon after you book in. Just ring 9554 1000 and ask for the Birth Unit.
Relieving pain in labour
Midwives encourage women in
labour to use a variety of pain relieving strategies. These may include:
Facilities
Light meals are
provided for your support people while you are in labour.
Information about care after birth
Rooming in
Your baby stays beside you
unless he/she needs special nursery care. Midwives in the postnatal ward care
for you and baby around the clock. They help and support you during your recovery
from birth and while you get to know your baby.
Midwives also give:
Feeding your baby
At Southern Health we
encourage breastfeeding. During pregnancy we offer you information and
opportunities to talk about feeding your baby. After birth midwives help and
support you in hospital and at home. All our midwives are familiar with
hospital policies that promote successful breastfeeding. If you are worried
about some aspect of breastfeeding during pregnancy or if you have difficulties
after birth you can arrange to speak to the lactation consultant.
Some women choose to feed their babies with formula and we respect their right to do so. If you decide to bottle feed your baby we give you the information and support you need.
Length of stay
The length of stay in
hospital after birth varies. For example:
Some women make plans during pregnancy to go home earlier than usual. If mother and baby are well and they have someone at home to look after them, this may be within 24 hours of the birth.
The Special Care Nursery (Level 2)
In special
circumstances, your baby may need to be cared for in the nursery. You’re
welcome to visit baby in the nursery at any time, stay as long as you wish, and
to breastfeed.
When a baby requires intensive care, transfer to the Level 3 nursery at Monash Medical Centre, or to another neonatal intensive care unit, is arranged.
If your baby is premature, you can be readmitted to the ward for a day or two, to prepare for taking baby home.
Postnatal physiotherapy
Postnatal exercise sessions
are held by the physiotherapist at 10.30am, Monday to Friday. The sessions are free and you can take
baby with you. After you go home, you’re welcome to come back to these sessions
at no cost.
Continuing support after
discharge from hospital
As part of our
Extended Postnatal Care program we can arrange for a midwife to ring you or
visit you at home on either the day after discharge or the following day. This
will be discussed before you leave hospital. After you leave hospital, if you
need advice or reassurance, you can ring the postnatal ward and speak to a
midwife.
The hospital notifies your maternal and child health nurse about your birth. She usually contacts you about a week after birth and may offer to visit you at home. The name and telephone number of your nearest maternal and child health centre will be given to you before leaving hospital.
The Maternal & Child Health
Service
The local maternal and
child health centre is an important community resource for families with children
up to six years. The services provided by maternal and child health nurses are
free. We encourage you to find out more about your centre before the birth of
your baby.
The midwife you talk to in the latter part of pregnancy can tell you whom to contact, or you can ask at your local council office.
When your maternal and child health nurse gets in touch after birth, she suggests a time to visit the clinic. She keeps an eye on your baby’s growth and development, gives advice on feeding, safety and immunisation and takes an interest in your health too. She also lets you know about new parents’ groups, childcare facilities, parenting education opportunities.
