To make sure that you are adequately covered for treatment in a private hospital, we suggest you:

• Check your policy statement from your health insurer and make sure that you understand any restrictions, waiting periods or exclusions that apply to your policy.
• Contact your private health fund with any questions, to confirm your level of cover and if there is an excess or co-payment on your policy.
• Discuss with your doctor if you are unsure which services you may need cover for.

NOTE: If you only have singles or couples health insurance cover at the time of your delivery, it is most likely that your baby will not be covered by your health fund if an admission to the Special Care Nursery is required.

Admission of a baby can be very expensive and we therefore highly recommend that you upgrade to family cover early in your pregnancy. Some health funds require that you upgrade 3 months prior to your expected date of delivery.

All patients will receive a letter prior to their admission to confirm their admission and any out of pocket expenses to expect.

If you have any concerns prior to your admission, please do not hesitate to contact the hospital on (07) 4052 5232.

It is important to come to hospital immediately if the following occurs:

Ruptured members or continuous leaking of fluid and or/regular contractions. Please contact the Cairns Midwives on ph (07) 4052 5232 before presenting to the hospital for admission.

It is very important you contact the Maternity Unit immediately (day or night) if any of the following occur:

• Bright red bleeding
• Premature labour i.e. prior to 37 weeks
• Unusual or severe abdominal pain
• Any concerns about baby’s movements

The anticipated length of stay following the birth of your baby is:

After a vaginal birth without complications – most mothers and babies are discharged after the third night.

After a caesarean section birth without complications – most mothers and babies are discharged after the fourth night.

If you have elected and booked to have a Caesarean delivery; on the day of your operation, you need to arrive at the Hospital Main Reception Desk for admission 1½ hours prior to your booked theatre time.

It is important that you bring your signed Operation Consent Form when you come in on your admission day.

A Caesarean birth requires more rest and recuperation:

• Use the time in the hospital to rest – maybe limit the number of phone calls and visitors you receive.
• Make sure you have help when you come home for at least the first 2 weeks. The more rest you get during that time, the faster you will heal.
• Until your incision heals, make sure you lift your baby slowly, keeping your arms close to your body, so that you put minimal strain on your stomach muscles.

Cairns Private encourages a new mother to keep her baby in her room. This promotes bonding between the mother (and partner) and baby; helps new mothers establish lactation; and gives new parents the opportunity to learn practical parenting skills thus increasing their confidence. Rooming in also decreases risk of cross infection. Our maternity midwives will support you as you develop skills and learn to care for your newborn.

In choosing to stay overnight, partners agree to be bound to the following:

• Their presence during the hospital stay must not impede the care of their partner or the care of another patient
• Nursing and housekeeping routines will not be delayed, e.g. to allow partners to sleep in.
• Sleeping unclothed is unacceptable
• Once out of bed a dressing gown or equivalent attire is to be worn
• Appropriate day wear is to be worn outside the room

Delivering a baby can be exhausting. Bring into the mix, changing hormones, sleep habits and anxiety over being a new parent - it is no wonder new mothers often complain about being tired.

Tips on managing fatigue:

• It’s completely natural to be tired – do not be upset with yourself about it.
• Try to take a nap when the baby sleeps.
• Do not try to do too much – give yourself time to adjust to the changing life style
• Try to sleep at least 1 and 1/2 or 2 hours during the day for the first few weeks. Ask your partner, a friend, or relative to take care of the baby during this time.

The birth of a baby is one of life’s most treasured experiences and it is good to be prepared. We advise you
to pack your bag in readiness for the birth by 34 weeks.

• Three packets of maternity sanitary pads
• Comfortable nightwear and casual wear for day time
• Footwear (to be worn at all times outside of your room)
• Underwear & maternity bras
• Breast pads
• Toiletries
• Items for use in your birthing plan (music, stress balls, essential oils, non-aerosol water spray for cooling etc)
• Antenatal record
• Health fund card / Medicare card
• Any current medication
• If desired: book, magazine, pen & writing materials
• Any clothes you may wish to dress your baby in and wrap for going home (N.B. we provide wraps, clothes, nappies & wipes but you are welcome to bring your own)
• If your informed choice is to bottle feed your baby, we ask that you bring your own formula and bottles. The maternity staff will then provide you with individual instruction on how to feed your baby while you are in hospital.
• Remember you’ll need an approved baby restraint already fitted to your vehicle prior to discharge. You can call the RACQ on 131 905 to find your nearest RTA authorised fitting station.

See information on film equipment in birth suite and the operating theatre

Mobile phones can interfere with electronic medical equipment. For the comfort of other patients we ask that mobile phones not be used in corridors or reception areas.