Where to deliver

Christchurch Women’s Hospital (CWH) opened on its new site at the Christchurch Hospital in 2005. Access to CWH is from Hagley Avenue with metered parking behind the hospital. Urgent access to the hospital is available from the car park area by driving under the covered area to the door of the hospital. Lifts to the birthing suite (Level 3) are available just inside the doorway.

COA undertakes deliveries at CWH. There are excellent facilities for patients, with access to operating theatres where necessary. An epidural service is provided by the on-call anaesthetic staff. Paediatric staff are available when paediatric support is required urgently.

Labour

You will recognise labour by the following signs:

• Regular contractions, lasting more than 30 seconds, becoming stronger and more frequent.
• Waters breaking; this could be a slow trickle from the vagina or a sudden gush of water that you can’t control.
• A show may occur before labour starts or early in labour. This is the plug of mucus that seals the cervix and is described as “sticky pink mucus”.

On arrival in the labour suite a vaginal examination will be performed to assess progress of the labour. A heart rate tracing of the baby will also be undertaken to assess wellbeing of the baby.

What to Bring

Pack a bag to take to the hospital well in advance. Parent Craft Classes will often produce a list of items that you have to take with you to the hospital. If you are not attending Parent Craft Classes we direct you to the following website which you may find useful when deciding what to take with you to hospital for yourself and baby.
http://www.babycenter.com/packing-for-the-hospital-or-birth-center?page=1

Pain Relief

Labour is painful, so it is important to learn about the ways you can relieve pain and how your partner, or labour supporter, can help you. Pain relief available includes; self help (relaxation and breathing, mobilisation), gas and air, TENS, Pethidine, and Epidural. Please feel free to discuss pain relief with COA if this has not been dealt with in the Parent Craft Classes. We would be happy to fill in any additional information that you may require.

You may find that you want more pain relief than you had planned, and more effective pain relief may be advised to assist with delivery.

Caesarean Section

There are situations where the safest option for either you or your baby, or both, is to have a Caesarean section. As a Caesarean section involves major surgery, it will only be performed where there is a clinical need for this type of delivery.

An elective Caesarean section may be recommended if labour is deemed to be unsuitable for you or the baby. An emergency Caesarean may be necessary if complications develop and delivery needs to be undertaken urgently.