MATERNITY UNIT

MATERNITY WARD
The Maternity Ward provides services on a twenty-four hour basis, every day of the week. The services include:
1. Antenatal Care
2. Labour and Delivery
3. Post-Natal Care
4. Premature Services with limitations i.e. neo-nates born at 35 weeks without complications

We also provide Parent Craft classes on Tuesdays from 4.30pm to pregnant clients and partner, where they are advised on:
1. What to expect in labour
2. How to take care of oneself:
- Ante Natal (before labour)
- During labour
- Post Natal (after labour)

Clients are admitted to the ward at 24 weeks of pregnancy. However, clients can also be admitted to the Ward at an earlier gestation (earlier than 24 weeks) only if sent in by an obstetrician for complications in pregnancy. Some of these complications are:
- Diabetes in pregnancy
- A Diabetic client who is pregnant
- A Hypertensive client who is pregnant
- A client with pregnancy induced hypertension
- Anemia in pregnancy
NOTE: These clients must be sent in by the Obstetrician.

Clients must have antenatal visits at their District Health Centre and/or Private Obstetrician. At these visits blood must be taken for:
- Complete Blood Count
- Group and Rhesus factor
- Sickle Cell Test
- HIV Testing (if consented by client)
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Clients are admitted directly to this ward when they are in labour and must bring their Ante-natal Record.

Signs of labour are any one of these symptoms which indicates labour has started:
- Rupture of membranes
- Uterine Contraction i.e. feeling stiffing pain at regular interval
- "Show" - i.e. secretion of mucus with blood from the vagina.

Personal Requirements for admission to Maternity:

For Mothers:
- Night gowns 3
- Dusters 2
- Maternity Pads 2 packs
- Panties 4
- Wash rag 1
- Bath Towels 2
- Bath Soap and other toiletries 2

Neonate:
- Shimmies 4
- Vest 4
- Soap 1
- Disposable Diapers 1 pack
- Rags 2
- Towel 2
- Blanket 2
- Olive Oil bottle 1
- Comb/Brush 1

NEWBORN NURSERY
This unit cares for babies delivered at the Scarborough Regional Hospital and for babies delivered at home or en route to the hospital.

Healthy infants stay at their mother's bedside for the duration of their hospital stay, which is less than 48 hours in most cases.

Prospective mothers are encouraged to have regular checkups during their pregnancy and to bring the results of all blood tests to the maternity unit when they expect to deliver. This can shorten the hospital stay for the baby.

All mothers are expected to breastfeed their babies unless there is a medical reason to use infant formula. Midwives are readily available to assist mothers with breastfeeding.

Babies who have basic medical problems are treated in the unit and are given appointments to clinic on discharge from hospital.

PAEDIATRICS
The Paediatric Ward admits children under the age of 13 years with medical, surgical, orthopedic and gynecological problems. There at least two teams of doctors overseeing the care of children, depending on the type of problem which caused admission to hospital.

VISITING
Mothers are encouraged to stay with their children and have unrestricted visiting hours.
Fathers can visit up to 10 PM.

General visiting hours:
Monday - Friday: 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm
Saturday & Sunday & Public Holidays: 3.3.0 pm - 6.00 pm

Please Note:
- Children less than 8 years of age are not allowed on the ward.
- Parents & relatives must wash their hands before attending to infants.
- Parents & relatives should speak to the nurse before visiting the patient.
- All visitors are asked to consult with the nursing staff before feeding the child.
- Foods such as peanuts, popcorn and corns curls are not allowed on the ward.

WARD ROUNDS
Ward rounds are made each day and each child is reviewed. Parents are advised to meet with his/her child's doctor each day during the ward rounds. Ward rounds usually start at 9 am for medical patients, surgical patients are reviewed at different times depending on the surgical team of doctors.

GENERAL POLICIES
- Children may wear casual clothes during day time hours.
- Parents of infants should bring in formula and pampers for their babies.
- Mothers of infants less than six months of age are encouraged to breastfeed.
- Jewelry and other valuables are not allowed and will be removed on admission.
- Parents are encouraged to bring books/toys for their children, to help make their stay less frightening.

DISCHARGE PROCEDURES
Most patients are given appointments to attend the clinic on discharge from hospital.
Parents should review their child's medication with the nurse on discharge from hospital.