Postnatal Care

Welcome to our Postnatal Wards

At the Wythenshawe site you will be admitted to ward C2.

At the Oxford Road site you will admitted to either Ward 47b or Ward 66.

These wards consist of a combination of single side rooms and 4 bed bays.

We hope you find your ward a clean and safe environment.

In order to help us achieve this we respectfully ask that you keep the amount of personal belongings you bring into hospital to a minimum.  This will help keep your bed area safe and clear and enable the area to be cleaned properly.

If at any time during your stay you find something which is not to the high standards that you expect, please tell us.  Every ward has a ward manager; if you have any concerns whilst an in-patient, or you think we could improve something, we would encourage you to make them aware so we can ensure your needs are met.  If the manager is not on duty there is a team of matrons who can be contacted to assist further.

Location and contact numbers

• Ward C2 is located on the first floor of the Wythenshawe site
• Ward 47b is located on the third floor of the Oxford road site.  Tel:  (0161) 701 0019
• Ward 66 is located on the second floor of the Oxford road site.  Tel: (0161) 276 6547

Your stay in hospital

To make your stay in hospital more comfortable you are invited to bring your own clothes to wear as well as clothes for your baby.  Please also bring with you a supply of disposable nappies and sanitary towels.  If you need to, discuss with your midwife your requirements for your hospital stay.

Visiting

Please be respectful of these times and leave promptly.  Only ? visitors, including partner and children, are allowed at any one time.

Due to the infection control risk we ask that flowers are not brought onto the ward area.

Refreshments

Tea and Coffee are always available in the dayroom.

Fresh water is always available – please ask staff.

Please note:  These facilities are for women only.  Visitors are kindly asked to obtain refreshments from the facilities on site.

Tea and Coffee are available at all times in the dayroom.Fresh water is available at all times – please ask staff.

Please note:  These facilities are for patients only.  Visitors are kindly asked to obtain refreshments from the facilities on the ground floor.

Mealtimes

(times are approximate)

Breakfast                 7.30 am until 8.30 am.

Lunch                      12 midday.

Evening meal            5.00 pm.

If you are going to be away from the ward during these times please inform your midwife who will arrange for a meal on your return.

Alternatively, your family can bring food for you from home/outside if you wish.

Unfortunately, due to health and safety regulations we are unable to re-heat any food or drink.

(times are approximate)

Breakfast                 7.30 am until 8.30 am.

Lunch                      12 midday.

Evening meal            5.00 pm.

Meals are served at your bedside but on Ward 66 there is the facility to dine in the dayroom if you prefer.

If you are going to be away from the ward during these times please inform your midwife who will arrange for a cold meal to be saved for you, or a snack box ordered on your return.

Alternatively your family can bring food for you from home/outside if you wish.

Unfortunately due to health and safety regulations we are unable to re-heat any food or drink.

A call bell is available at your bedside which you can use to call for assistance at any time of day or night.

Doctors’ ward rounds

The doctors will visit the ward each morning.  Please ensure that if you are leaving the ward that you inform your midwife to enable the doctors to review your case in a timely manner.

Please note that it may not be necessary for the doctor to review your case every day and you should discuss this with your midwife if you have any concerns. The doctors will visit the ward between 8.00 am – 9.30 am am each day.  If you are under the care of a consultant, please ensure that you are close to your bed around this time to enable the doctors to review your case in a timely manner.

Please note that it may not be necessary for the doctor to review your case every day and you should discuss this with your midwife if you have any concerns.

Chaplaincy and spiritual needs

The Trust provides a chaplaincy/spiritual service to all patients.  If you would like to access this service please ask a member of staff who will be pleased to contact them for you.

Care of your new baby whilst in hospital

All newborn babies have a full examination and a hearing test following birth.  Please see our section on Screening and Checks for Your Baby for more information You can read more about this test on page 47 of the booklet ‘Screening tests for you and your baby’.

The Newborn Hearing Screening test is offered to all babies on the ward.You can read more about this test on page 50 of the booklet ‘Screening tests for you and your baby’. You will be offered the opportunity to be shown how to bath your baby before you leave hospital.Your midwife will arrange for this to happen at a time that is convenient to you and baby.

Feeding your baby

Please also see our separate section on Feeding Your Baby.

Your midwife is there to offer you help and support with your choice of feeding method for your baby so please do not hesitate to ask for assistance if you need it.

If you plan to bottle feed your baby we recommend that you purchase at least one ‘starter pack’ of first infant milk containing 6 bottles and 6 teats.  These are disposable, sterile, single use bottles and provide the safest option when formula feeding you baby in hospital.

Please note that we are unable to store opened formula milk on the wards so please do not bring in a large bottles of milk for your baby.

Please also see our separate section on Feeding your new baby.

In order to reduce the risk of infection to your baby we recommend that you purchase at least one ‘starter pack’ of first infant milk containing 6 bottles and 6 teats.  These are disposable, sterile, single use bottles and provide the safest option when formula feeding you baby whilst in hospital.

Your midwife is also there to offer you help and support with your choice of feeding method for your baby so please do not hesitate to ask for assistance if you need it.

Please note that we are unable to store opened formula milk on the wards so please do not bring in a large bottle of milk for your baby.

Leaving Hospital

Your discharge

The midwives are required to complete a checklist in order to ensure all aspects of your continuing care are arranged.  This process can take some time and some elements of this are beyond our control.  Please be assured the staff will be doing everything they can to complete your discharge in a timely manner and your patience in this process is appreciated.  If you have to wait for transport home once you have your discharge paperwork we may request that you wait in the dayroom.

Your GP and local midwife will be informed when you and your baby are going home.  Once home, your local midwife will visit you within 24 hours and arrange a programme of care to suit you and your baby.  Your midwife will also leave a contact telephone number.  If you have not received a visit from the community midwife please let us know via,

The community midwife’s office (Wythenshawe site) on (0161) 291 2942

The Radio Telephone Room (Oxford road site) on (0161) 276 6246.

You will also see the midwife in the first few weeks who will check on you and the baby’s wellbeing.  Some of these appointments will be arranged for a community clinic.  On day 5, baby will need a heel prick test as part of the neonatal screening programme.  By day 10, the midwife will transfer your care to the health visitor, although in some cases midwifery care will last up until day 28.

Provided everything goes well with your labour and delivery you will be discharged home within 24 hours.

The midwives are required to complete a checklist in order to ensure all aspects of your continuing care are arranged.  This process can take some time and some elements of this are beyond our control.  Please be assured the staff will be doing everything they can to complete your discharge in a timely manner and your patience in this process is appreciated.  If you have to wait for transport home once you have your discharge papers we will request that you wait in the dayroom.

Your GP and local midwife will be informed when you and your baby are going home.  Once home, your local midwife will visit you within 24 hours and arrange a programme of care to suit you and your baby.  Your midwife will also leave a contact telephone number.  If you have not received a visit from the community midwife please telephone the Radio Telephone Room on (0161) 276 6246.

You will also need to see the midwife in the first few weeks to check on you and the baby’s wellbeing.  Most of these appointments will be arranged for the community clinic.  On day 5 baby will need a heel prick test as part of the neonatal screening programme.  By day 10, the midwife will transfer your care to the health visitor, although in some cases midwifery care will last up until day 28.

Women with babies on the neonatal unit

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a hospital bed on the postnatal ward once you are well enough to be discharged from hospital.

Many women find that they prefer to be at home in a familiar environment.  If you live too far from the hospital, or if transport is difficult, accommodation may be possible at the Oxford Road site in the Ronald McDonald House, or within the neonatal unit parent accommodation in certain cases.  You should discuss these options with the midwife on the ward.

If your baby has needed care on the neonatal unit and is not ready to be discharged when you are, there are a number of options for accommodation.  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a hospital bed on the postnatal ward once you are well enough to be discharged from hospital.

Many women find that they prefer to be at home in a familiar environment.  If you live too far from the hospital, or if transport is difficult, accommodation may be possible in the Ronald McDonald House, or within the neonatal unit parent accommodation in certain cases.  You should discuss these options with the midwife on the ward.

Car seats

Babies and young children must always travel in an appropriate car seat.  Never use a rear-facing baby seat in the front of the car when an airbag is fitted (unless it is switched off).

Family planning

Babies and young children must always travel in an appropriate car seat.  Never use a rear-facing baby seat in the front of the care when an airbag is fitted (unless it is switched off).  If using a front-facing seat, position the car seat as far back as possible.  Should the car have airbags in the rear, check the car manual or contact the manufacturer to see if it has been tested with a car seat fitted and get a copy of the research results before fitting the seat.

Your midwife and obstetrician will be happy to discuss family planning choices with you before you leave the hospital.  You can also discuss your choices further with your GP and local midwife.

Your midwife and obstetrician will be happy to discuss family planning choices with you before you leave the hospital.  You can also discuss your choices further with your GP and local midwife.

Family planning and sexual health screening are also available every Wednesday from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm.  No appointment is necessary.

Zion Community Resource Centre
339 Stretford Road
Hulme
M15 4ZY

Tel: (0161) 226 5412 or (0161) 226 6669

Registering the birth of your baby

It is a legal requirement that you register the birth of your baby within 42 days (6 weeks) of the birth.  Please see our separate section on how to do this.

Avoiding sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS – sometimes known as cot death)

Sadly, this affects a number of families each year.  However, research has shown that the following measures are known to help avoid cot death.

• Do not sleep in bed or on a sofa with your baby.
• Do not lay your baby down on his/her front when he/she is going to sleep.
• Lay your baby on his/her back with feet at the bottom of the cot (feet to foot).  (There is no evidence that a baby will choke in this position).
• Do not smoke in the same room as your baby.
• Do not sleep with your baby if you are on medication such as methadone or have drunk alcohol or taken drugs or are excessively tired.
• Do not overwrap or overdress your baby when he/she goes to sleep, but keep them room warm instead.
• If your baby is ill, contact your doctor without delay.

Please find further information about safe sleeping at www.lullabytrust.org.uk

Feedback

At Saint Mary’s Hospital we strive to deliver the best care possible and we would appreciate your feedback about your time on our postnatal wards.  This is to help us know what we are getting right for you and anything we may need to improve upon.  We aim for all women to have a positive experience whilst staying on Saint Mary’s postnatal wards and your feedback will help us improve our service.

Please complete the feedback questionnaire before you are discharged either via the hand held tracker device or by hand and give to a member of staff.

If you wish to discuss any aspects of your care with the Ward Managers or Matron in charge of the wards, please ask a member of staff.

Thank you for your co-operation and may we take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the future.