Hospital Tours
Organised tours of the Maternity Unit are held on the first Saturday of the month at 2pm starting from the main hospital reception. No booking required.
General Info
Antenatal care
Childbirth and Parenting Classes
Physiotherapy
Dietitian
Social Work
Admission to Hospital
Visiting Midwifery Program
General Info
The Women's and Newborn Services at Swan District Hospital provides midwifery, obstetric and neonatal care. Our team of experienced staff are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to women and their families. The hospital offers a full range of support services including social workers, physiotherapists, lactation consultants, dieticians and diabetic educators.
The hospital has well appointed birth suites with ensuite bathrooms.
Postnatal care is provided on the ward and at home, for those women within the catchment area through the Visiting Midwifery Program. The Hospital also has a four bed Special Care Nursery for babies requiring medical care.
Swan Districts Hospital provides maternity care to women living within the following postcodes: 6054-6058, 6062-6063, 6066-6074, 6076, 6081-6085, 6090, 6555-6556, 6558 plus the Wheatbelt region.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours for maternity patients are 8.00am – 1.00pm and 3.00pm – 8.00pm
REST PERIOD IS 1.00PM – 3.00PM - NO VISITORS PLEASE DURING THIS TIME
Services and Features
Antenatal Care
You can ask your GP to refer you to Swan Districts Hospital or you may self refer by ringing the Antenatal clerks on (08) 9347 5582.
There are three options for care:
Option 1: All care during pregnancy and birth is provided by the hospital.
Option 2: Care is provided on a shared arrangement between the hospital and your GP. At 36 weeks of pregnancy, care is transferred to the hospital up until the birth of your baby.
Option 3: Care is provided by the Community Midwifery Program (CMP) and delivery undertaken at the hospital by them (provided criteria for CMP is met).
If you are deemed to have a high risk pregnancy and require delivery at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), you may be able to have a shared care arrangement with Swan Districts Hospital and then transfer to KEMH at 36 weeks.
Childbirth and Parenting Programs
A range of educational and exercise classes are available. Most classes require booking, please call see your midwife.
Physiotherapy Classes
Held monthly on Monday evenings
- Looking after yourself in pregnancy (16 weeks + 7.30 pm-9.00 pm.) Advice on exercise, back care, good bladder and bowel habits. Short fitball exercise (optional)
- Preparation for childbirth (34+ weeks 5:00pm-6.30pm) Teaches breathing, positioning, massage, natural pain management strategies.
Birth preparation classes from 30 weeks of pregnancy: There is a one off Saturday session which runs from 9.00 am -1.30pm and covers;
- Pregnancy, antenatal care and the three stages of labour and coping strategies.
- Breastfeeding, diet and baby massage.
- Maternity unit tour and introduction to the maternity unit’s research and other programs.
Postnatal exercise class: a mother and baby exercise group run by a physiotherapist for women following their six-weekly postnatal check-up. Gold coin donation appreciated.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy treatment is available Monday to Friday in the maternity ward/outpatient departments for problems after birth including:
- Cracked nipples
- Pain during/after sexual intercourse
- Incontinence – bladder or bowel
- Painful episiotomy or tears
- Swollen haemorrhoids (piles)
After your discharge home, you can book an appointment with the Women’s Health Physiotherapist (after six weeks you will need a GP’s referral).
Dietician
Nutritional counselling is available to women throughout their pregnancy and the postnatal period. You can make an appointment through your antenatal clinic midwife. If you are above the healthy weight range for your height, the clinic midwife will give you information on the BLOOM program (Better Lifestyle and Obstetric Outcomes for Mothers).
Social Work
The Social Work Department provides support services to patients and their families attending Swan Districts Hospital. You can request a referral to a social worker through the antenatal clinic. Social workers provide short term supportive counselling and/or access to community resources regarding:
- Adjustment to pregnancy and childbirth
- Relationship difficulties with your family, or others
- Assistance and referral for substance abuse issues and mental health issues /depression
- Practical, financial and legal issues
- Options for parenting support before and after the birth of your baby/babies
- General grief and loss issues
- Pregnancy loss and stillbirth
Admission to Hospital
During labour
When you come into hospital in labour, a midwife and/or doctor will see you to check your progress. If you are in early labour, and you and your baby are well, you may be allowed home; otherwise you will be admitted to a birth suite or to the maternity ward.
Booked Admission
Admission to the maternity unit for induction of labour is between 6.00am and 7.00am on the day of induction. You may have a light breakfast e.g. coffee/tea and toast before you come in.
- Prostins/Foley catheter induction: you will be advised of admission time (usually late afternoon).
- Elective caesarean section: you will be advised of admission time (usually on the day of surgery).
Visiting Midwifery Program
If you qualify for home visiting, regardless of the time you leave hospital, you will be visited at home the next day. Visiting midwives may visit you up to five days post delivery.
If you live outside our visiting area you will be given information for follow-up care when discharged from hospital.
Your midwife will discuss your discharge plan for going home after your baby is born. You will need to be seen by a midwife, and possibly a doctor, before leaving hospital. Providing you and your baby are well, you will be expected to go home:
- Within three days (vaginal birth)
- Within four days (caesarean section)
The midwife will visit as needed. Each woman’s 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 day three. 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 need to contact your child health nurse within two weeks or earlier if necessary.
