Mater Mother's (Public)

[Calluna]

What does the Mater Public provide, ie nappies, wraps, etc? Are they supposed to have already given me this information?
When do we do a tour of the mat ward? etc? I looked at their website but couldn't find any useful information.

[Just Me]

Are you doing an antenatal class or any appointments with midwives at the hospital before your baby is born? Usually, they will tell you what you need to know about birthing in that particular hospital as well as a tour in antenatal classes or an appointment with hospital staff.

At the Townsville Hospital, I was given a whole booklet of info at my appointment with the midwife. None of that info was on the website.

If you are worried, call them and find out or ask your GP.

[Calluna]

I'm not doing any antenatal classes with them, cant afford it. When would they do it? Last midwife appointment I had was at 24 weeks.

[tellytubby]

Hey Heva, i had my DD public. When i went for the first appointment they gave me a little book FULL of useful info. What to bring, what they supply, what i have to supply. Ask the hospital, perhaps they forgot to give you one?

[Serenitylee]

I am going public where I am and the service has been fantastic. I have been provided with my own Pregnancy Journal and it has everything in it i need to know! It goes through each week of the pregnancy and tells me what is happening with the baby and my body and I also have a schedule of what appts i will during the pregnancy and when i will have them (e.g. routine check up at 28 weeks, then 30 weeks etc), I also have a pamphlet on breastfeeding, their parenting and birthing classes (which tells me what is in the class and who is holding it) and i also have a pamphlet of a number to call if i have any concerns. Gosh there is heaps more but I don't want to sit here writing it all out. Also everything is free, even my P&B classes and BF classes oh and one last thing, in my pregnancy booklet it tells me what to bring to the hospital when I come in for the birth. Its great!

[Calluna]

Hey Heva, i had my DD public. When i went for the first appointment they gave me a little book FULL of useful info. What to bring, what they supply, what i have to supply. Ask the hospital, perhaps they forgot to give you one?

ill go through the stuff they gave me again, but i don't remember seeing it. what does it look like?

ETA: Does it look kind of like a magazine?

[BekZ]

Heva -I am 27 weeks and I am going public. Are you using the midwife program or share care with your doctor? If you are doing the midwife program then they should have been advised you on your apt scedule, plus given you information regarding antenatal classes (mine are free), breast feeding classes (free) and hospital tours.

If you are going through your GP then you'll go to them for your regular apts. Plus you'll probably go to the hospital for a 28wk, 36wk and 40wk apt.

Personally I would call the hospital and ask them to give you all these details. Some times you have to chase them and keep asking questions.

[Calluna]

Heva -I am 27 weeks and I am going public. Are you using the midwife program or share care with your doctor? If you are doing the midwife program then they should have been advised you on your apt scedule, plus given you information regarding antenatal classes (mine are free), breast feeding classes (free) and hospital tours.

If you are going through your GP then you'll go to them for your regular apts. Plus you'll probably go to the hospital for a 28wk, 36wk and 40wk apt.

Personally I would call the hospital and ask them to give you all these details. Some times you have to chase them and keep asking questions.

I'm doing the Midwife program, they've only just (at last appointment) given me the appointment schedule, they gave me info re antenatal classes but they all had to be paid for and no info on hospital tours or breast feeding.
I think I'd better call them. Just dont really know what to ask.

[BekZ]

I have a friend going to MM and I was surprised that she had to pay for her antenatal classes..This is a rip off imo.

Tell them you are a first time mum and that you need some information regarding breastfeeding classes and hosptial tours. Ask then when and where. If you have another mid apt sceduled then you could ask the midwfie then

[Calluna]

thanks heaps. I'll write it down so I don't forget.

[Just Me]

I don't know about much about Brisbane services, but maybe there is somewhere else you could do antenatal classes where you won't be charged (like the Royal Brisbane Hospital). I don't know, but maybe it is worth having a look and seeing if you can enrol somewhere else that will bulk bill or whatever they do.

Especially being a first time mum, antenatal classes can help prepare you for what to expect.

Maybe even post a thread and ask other members from Brisbane if there is anything like that around.

I agree with BekZ - I think it is terrible that they make you pay for antenatal classes. I thought they would be free through all public hospitals.

Good luck with ringing the hospital - I hope you get hold of the info that you are after.

[Chow]

Heva - I am going public at MM. At my first apoint i was given a bookelt, Mag size about having your baby at MM this is where you will find all the info. I was also given a whole stack of photocopied brouchs on Brest Feeding and all sorts of stuff, Mind you I never read any of this until the weekend as I have an appointment tomorrow and felt bad I had not ready any of it Yep had to pay for AntiN class it is $75 I think and they do a tour then, a friend of mine didn't do the classes and just asked for a tour and they gave her one.
Hope it all works out for you,

[Calluna]

The only booklet I got is a magazine called "Pregnancy book". Its small though. Do you mean that one or an A4 size book?
Nothing in the "Pregnancy Book" seems to be specific to MM, it all seems too general.

hehe thanks roomie

[Chow]

It's an A4 sized one, it has all sorts of info, about facilities of the hospital and stuff like that. I think your even meant to take it when you go to get admited.I was given it on my first appoinment when I got the bag of Freebeies, I just stuck everything in there so only just found it on the weekend I'm sure if you call they can send you one, if you like I can let you know tomorrow the title of it

[Calluna]

Hmm I do vaguely remember something like that.. but I haven't seen it in months, probably got lost when we moved.
Thanks Chow, I'd love to know what it's called so I can ask the hospital for it, rather ask for "that booklet thing your meant to get at the start of your pg". lol

[Serenitylee]

My Journal is a 'Pregnancy Hand-Held Record'

In it is;

Appointments (area where all appts get recorded when booked)
Pregnancy Record (This gets filled in by the midwife at every appt and has things like my blood pressure and fundal height etc)
Child Birth and parenting classes Pamphlet
Schedule of Visits
Emergency number to call
'Your pregnancy Diary" which the contents are, your personal details, pre-pregnancy planning, prenatal touch and massage, sex during pregnancy, health tips for pregnant women, antenatal screening, week by week, until the birth, breastfeeding, the birth plan, checklist for the bag you will be taking to hospital
Pamphlet on optimal feotal positioning and how to help the baby in the right
position
Emotional health during pregnancy and early parenthood booklet (by beyondblue)
Maternity Information Package which is for all about the hospital and what they offer and also goes through the whole pregnancy
Breastfeeding phamplet
Maternity Unit visitng hours pamphlet

My Hand held record is the best thing they could have given me, it helps me keep organised but provides me with so much information! I was handed this at my very FIRST appt with the doctor. I would be lost without it!

[Calluna]

I got some of that but not all of it. could it vary from hospital to hospital?

[Serenitylee]

Yeah every hospital would be different but I would think that most Pubic Hospital give you something similar?