Throughout your pregnancy a midwife will support you in preparing to go home with your baby.
Evidence shows that it is best for mother and baby to return home as soon as possible after birth. If you are both well, transfer to postnatal care in your home is offered within 4 to 6 hours of birth.
Our maternity ward
If you or your baby need a longer hospital stay, our maternity ward (J7) at Gosford Hospital provides postnatal care for women and their babies.
The team in our maternity ward is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for you and your baby – we are here to assist you in every way possible. Your health, comfort, and birthing experience matter to us, and we look forward to supporting you throughout your journey.
We have single and double rooms available, with single rooms allocated based on clinical need. Private patients will be offered a single room if we have one available. All rooms have a private bathroom and baby bath.
Partners can visit between 8.30am and 8.30pm. Your partner may be able to stay overnight with you in the maternity ward however this will be dependent on whether we can offer you a single room.
Discharge planning will be discussed at your antenatal visits and after the birth of your baby.
Postnatal care at home
We offer postnatal care at home for mothers and babies via our Midwifery in the Home Service (MiHS).
The services provides high quality, holistic, client-centred care for mums and their babies at home and is available free of charge to both public and private patients.
Our midwives will offer you a visit or phone call each day between 9am and 3pm, 7 days a week, until 5 days after the birth. We carry out a mother and baby check at each visit.
Our midwives also provide education and support on recovery, newborn behaviours and needs including breastfeeding, immunisation, and signposting to community support services including our early childhood health centres.
.