Labour and birth

The birthing journey is a very special time in a woman’s life. Whatever path your birth takes, your ability to make decisions that are right for you and your baby depend on you being an active participant.

When to come to hospital

Your doctor or midwife will advise you when to come to hospital. If you are concerned or have questions please call our Birthing Suite on (07) 5433 8888.

If you are less than 20 weeks pregnant and experiencing problems, please contact your own GP or phone the hospital on (07) 5433 8888 and ask for the emergency department.

Call the hospital before coming

Please phone prior to coming into Birthing Suite to allow the midwife to assess your progress and prepare for your arrival. Some of the other reasons you may need to come to hospital include:

• if your waters break
• when contractions become too painful to cope with at home
• if vaginal bleeding occurs
• if baby is not moving as much as normal
• if you are worried about yourself or your baby.

Your arrival

On your arrival, see the Birth Suite reception located on Level 2. It is important that you bring your pregnancy health record. A midwife will assess your health and discuss your birthing preferences before taking you into one of the birthing rooms for your labour. The midwife will:

• check the baby’s position by feeling your abdomen
• check your temperature, pulse and blood pressure
• listen to the baby’s heart rate
• time your contractions
• with consent, do an internal (vaginal) examination to see how much your cervix has opened and to check the baby’s position
• put an identification band on your wrist.

Birthing rooms

We have seven birthing rooms located on level 2, which have been designed to ensure you feel as comfortable and relaxed as you can be during labour. Each room has individual bathrooms with a large bath and space for you to be active before birth. Rooms also include:

• Music (radio/CD/iPod connectivity for your own choice of music). Relaxation music available on request.
• Massage Oil and Oil burner (electric)
• Heat Packs – supplied by Hospital
• Shower and Bath. We know that these help for pain relief, water births are available for women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
• Birthing Ball: gym style ball or peanut shape that is comfortable to sit on, encouraging pelvic rocking and positioning to help in labour, and allow for your support people to massage your back at the same time. 
• Floor mats to kneel on the floor
• Specially designed birthing chairs available.