On Arrival at the Hospital
Once you know that it’s time to come to the hospital, you can relax, because from then onwards you will be in good hands. When you arrive, please go to reception to advise of your arrival.
Please advise our reception of your arrival. During the admission try to relax, you are in good hands.
Your husband/birthing partner will be requested to wait in the waiting room while the admission and assessments are completed.
You will be directed into a pre-labour unit by a member of the nursing team where you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. The midwife will take a short history from you and do an assessment thereafter the doctor will be notified of your arrival.
Our nursing staff will assist you while your Obstetrician/Gynaecologist makes his/her way to you.
The midwife / nurse will assess your abdomen and listen to your baby’s heartbeat. An electric tracing of the baby’s heartbeat and rate is recorded for a few minutes. Your temperature, pulse and respiration will be checked and a urine sample taken.
At this point you should inform your nursing sister if you intend to breast feed or bottle feed your baby. Milk allergies will be noted.
Your Obstetrician/Gynaecologist or the midwife may conduct an internal examination to determine the dilation of the cervix and to gain other information.
A shave and enema may or may not be performed. These procedures are not done routinely as they vary from doctor to doctor. A shower or bath may be offered.
If you are in the latent phase (early labour) you may be encouraged to walk.
