There are plenty of pregnancy and maternity services in Sydney and you need to know the ones that offer the best care for you and your baby. In this article we will provide you with a list of some of the best in the city.
Ryde
In 2004, Ryde Pregnancy & Maternity Services in Sydney began delivering a new service – a midwifery group practice. This reorganised the existing midwifery services to cater for the needs of women who give birth at Ryde.
The midwifery group practice was a response to a growing demand for high quality maternity care. The service was conceived in collaboration with consumers and doctors.
During a recent survey, maternity patients were asked about their experience of labour and birth. They were also surveyed on the quality of care they received at home and in hospital.
Overall, the survey found that mothers in north and south Sydney were most satisfied with their maternity experience. However, patients in the south-western Sydney area were less satisfied with their care.
An interdisciplinary perinatal committee reviews all women’s cases and develops a birth plan. Almost eight in ten women would recommend the hospital where they gave birth.
The birthing process is a complicated one. The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers it a fundamental human right to have a birthing partner present during labour.
It is common for hospitals to only allow one birthing partner to be present during a delivery. Some countries have banned the use of birthing partners altogether.
The Ryde Midwifery Group Practice provides primary level maternity care for diverse families, providing continuity of care. Despite this, the group scored poorly in some areas.
A number of factors contributed to the lower scores. These included inadequate clinical governance, lack of informed leadership and fallacious perceptions of risk.
Other factors were inadequate community consultation, poor workforce planning and lack of knowledge of contemporary models of care. Implementing policies without the proper tools is very difficult.
Wyong
A recent survey of Wyong Pregnancy & Maternity Services in Sydney revealed that the local hospital is doing some good things. They offer comprehensive care for healthy pregnant women.
Midwife led care is also offered for women with low risk pregnancies. For those with medical complications, a high risk clinic is held at Gosford and Wyong hospitals.
The local hospital also offers midwifery services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These programs offer antenatal care, and support during and after childbirth.
In the maternity department, the number of birthing suites is three. It also has fixed baths.
The Wyong maternity unit closed earlier this year, but the midwifery group practice will reopen when COVID-19 surge requirements are no longer required. The team provides antenatal care on the Wyong Hospital campus.
When the survey was conducted, the overall best performing local health district was northern Sydney. Other local areas with high scores include the Blue Mountains and Queanbeyan.
Compared to other areas of the state, south western Sydney reported the lowest level of patient satisfaction. Some factors that contributed to this included cleanliness and communication.
There was a study conducted by the Sydney Morning Herald that looked at hospitals in the area. They surveyed a number of hospitals to see which were best in the various categories.
The Wyong hospital rated higher than the other public hospitals in the area. However, the maternity unit has not been fully redeveloped yet.
Other local hospitals include Bankstown and Tamworth. Those hospitals are also among the lowest scoring.
As you can see, there are numerous ways to improve the quality of hospital care. You can do your part by making sure you discuss your options with your GP.
St Vincent’s
If you are pregnant, or expecting to become pregnant, you can receive high quality maternity care at St Vincent’s Pregnancy & Maternity Services in Sydney. They provide you with a personal birth consultant, as well as massage before and after delivery. This is one of the highest quality maternity care providers in the region, and their staff are compassionate and experienced.
The Mater Hospital is part of St Vincent’s Health Australia, and offers six birthing suites with private ensuite bathrooms, freestanding baths and TV. Rooms also include telephone and wifi.
There are a range of services for new mothers and babies, including a community health unit. These can help your baby transition to a healthy lifestyle.
OB-GYNs are available to you, as are emotional support from peers and health professionals. The AHN Saint Vincent Growing Hope Program gives you an opportunity to connect with other women, learn about pregnancy and labour, and prepare for childbirth.
The hospital also has links with the University of Notre Dame Australia, as well as the University of Tasmania College of Health and Medicine. The St Vincent’s Hospital has been in operation since 1857, and is recognised as a leading tertiary referral centre. In 2009, it consisted of over 320 medical beds, and was accredited as a trauma centre.
Dr Ellie Bailey is an experienced gynaecologist, focusing on obstetrics and gynaecological conditions. She is also a specialist in complex pregnancies. After completing her training in the UK, she relocated to Sydney, where she lives with her husband and three children.
As an OB-GYN, Dr Ellie Bailey enjoys helping families bring their children into the world. Her areas of interest include high-risk pregnancies, infertility, and pregnancy loss.
Women’s
Women’s pregnancy & maternity services in Sydney are available at public and private hospitals. It’s important for pregnant women to know their options. While some may prefer the convenience of a hospital, others may prefer to give birth at home or in a birth centre. You can learn about the different options from your doctor.
Some maternity care models, such as continuity of care (CoC), offer women more choices. Compared to standard fragmented maternity care, CoC with a midwife or doctor provides continuity of care during and after the birth.
In addition to providing care during and after the birth, women’s pregnancy & maternity services in New South Wales also highlight the importance of promoting mental health. Studies have found that women with a history of mental health conditions are less likely to receive support, and they are less satisfied with their overall experience of maternity care.
A recent study evaluated the impact of New South Wales Health’s influenza vaccination in pregnancy campaign. It found that the vaccination helped to reduce the likelihood of an infection during pregnancy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes to the way pregnant women in Australia are cared for. However, a few studies have focused on the negative effects of the pandemic, including the risk of maternal infection.
Although the pandemic has slowed down the rate of caesareans, stillbirths are still a problem in Australia. Approximately 2,000 families are affected each year, and six babies are stillborn every day.
In addition to standard antenatal care, women in Australia can choose between giving birth at a birth center or in a hospital. During the birth, women are provided with care from an obstetrician or midwife, and follow up care is also offered at home.
Home birth
In Australia, childbirth occurs predominantly in a biomedical context. Despite this, many women opt for home birth. They feel it offers more control. However, it is important to discuss these choices with your obstetrician and GP.
If you are planning to have a home birth, you will need to find a qualified midwife. You can talk to friends or family about their experiences and ask for recommendations. A good option is to check out the Homebirth Australia website. There you can also search for a midwife by location.
Choosing a birthing place depends on where you live, your medical history and any complications you may have. In most cases, women have the option to give birth in a public or private hospital, or in a birth centre. The birth centre is attached to the hospital and provides a more natural environment.
If you are expecting a low-risk pregnancy, you can give birth at home. However, if you have any complications, you may have to be transferred to the hospital. It is always advisable to consult with your GP to see if you qualify for a homebirth.
When a woman is giving birth in a birthing centre, she will usually have a midwife and a doctor. These professionals will care for her and her baby. During labour, she will also have regular checkups and the opportunity to have standard newborn tests performed.
Many women chose homebirth because they wished to have more control over their birth and the decisions they make. They felt that they were more knowledgeable than experts and believed they could give birth safely. Having control over the experience is an important part of a successful birth.
