Mansfield District Hospital offers an innovative and high quality model of care to all low risk women who access the maternity service.
Each woman booked into Mansfield District Hospital will see the GP Obstetrician of her choice and a small team of midwives through the entire pregnancy and birth continuum.
Having this shared care arrangement between your GP and the midwives advocates a team approach which means the experience will be one of consistent united care, personalised to mother’s specific needs.
The team of midwives also conducts an antenatal clinic at Alexandra District Health for women who live within the Murrindindi Shire and who choose to give birth at Mansfield. This clinic reduces the number of times the woman must travel to Mansfield for her antenatal care.
The GP Obstetrician
Mansfield is fortunate to currently have a number of GP Obstetricians between the two GP Clinics. Each of these doctors have recognised additional qualifications and training in pregnancy, birth and newborn care.
The Midwife
A midwife is accessible via telephone for all women booked into Mansfield to contact 24 hours per day 7 days a week. Any problems, questions or concerns you or your partner may have can be immediately attended to by the same team of midwives that you will see in the antenatal clinic, at your birth and for the follow up care in the hospital and in your home. The midwives employed at Mansfield are highly motivated, flexible, compassionate and knowledgeable working together for YOU.
The Low Risk woman
To birth at Mansfield, a woman must be low risk and reach 37weeks gestation. For women who either develop complications and are no longer low risk, or women who go into labour at less than 37 weeks, the midwives and GP Obstetrician work together to coordinate the transfer of the woman’s care to a specialist Maternity Unit located at a larger hospital.
If after the birth your baby requires specialist care, our team is highly skilled in stabilizing and organising transfer of your baby to an appropriate facility.
Can you do a caesarean section?
The hospital is able to perform caesarean sections both elective and in an emergency situation.
What if I live in Mansfield but birth somewhere else?
Mansfield District Hospital provides postnatal and domiciliary care to women who birth at other hospitals.
How do I book in?
The Hospital requires that bookings are made before 16 weeks gestation. To arrange a consultation regarding your booking with a midwife following your initial visit to your doctor please call us.
Your doctor will write a letter for the midwife outlining your due date and brief details of your medical history for you to bring with you. Enquires may be directed to the Nurse Unit Manager (Midwifery) by calling (03) 5775 8800 during business hours.
How long will I stay in hospital?
Your length of stay at Mansfield District Hospital will be individualised to your and your baby’s needs. The hospital can offer you the option of going home within a few hours of birth (similar to a birth centre) if this is your request.
Following all discharges, daily midwife visits are arranged and the midwife remains accessible over the phone until your care is transferred to the Maternal Child Health Nurse.
Other Services provided at Mansfield:
- Booking In Service
- Antenatal Care and check ups
- Antenatal classes
- Pregnancy and Birth education classes
- Antenatal monitoring (cardiotocograph) if required
- Antenatal Ultrasounds
- Labour and birth care
- Post birth care
- Breastfeeding support
- Home visit following discharge home
Antenatal classes
A series of informal classes are held regularly throughout the year. Topics covered include how to involve your partner, the well pregnancy, labour and birth, the postnatal period, breastfeeding and community resources and supports.
The sessions are a great way to share your experience with others, and prepare you for childbirth.
- Antenatal monitoring (cardiotocograph) if required can be done within the Maternity Unit at Mansfield District Hospital by the midwives
- Antenatal Ultrasounds
- Breastfeeding support
Visiting Times
As a matter of courtesy, visitors should check with the nurse in charge before visiting any patients. The hospital reserves the right to ask visitors to leave the premises at any time. Visitors are also requested to keep noise to a minimum.
Midwifery Ward: Rest period 12 noon to 3.00 pm – No visitors or phone calls during this time
Normal visiting hours are observed but we attempt to ensure that mother and babe are not overwhelmed by visitors. Visitors to the maternity unit may be restricted upon the mother or father’s request.
Please do not bring sick children into the maternity unit and ensure you wash your hands prior to entering and leaving the unit.