Inpatient Care
Maud Bellas Maternity Unit
Maud Bellas Maternity unit provides ongoing care and support for low to medium risk obstetric patients and delivers around 2400 babies each year.
The maternity unit has 6 birth suites including a birthing pool, 23 postnatal care beds and a 6-bed antenatal assessment unit.
Antenatal Assessment Unit
Our Antenatal Assessment Unit (AAU) is dedicated to assessing and monitoring the ongoing health of women and their babies. The unit is run by experienced midwives and GP Obstetricians with Specialist Obstetrician support.
The Assessment Unit offers monitoring and support for a range of conditions, including:
- Threatened preterm labour or preterm rupture of membranes.
- Reduced/altered fetal movements.
- Bleeding during pregnancy (antepartum haemorrhage)
- Ongoing monitoring for pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes
Our team is here to ensure you, and your baby receive timely, safe, and compassionate care throughout your pregnancy journey.
What will happen and how long will I be there for?
A Midwife will see you as soon as possible and discuss the reason you are attending AAU to ensure your understanding.
Depending on the reason for your attendance the length of time you will be here will depend on what assessments and tests are required.
The staff in AAU will make your visit as short and pleasant as possible and will keep you up to date if there are any delays.
Please ensure you ask any questions; the midwifery and obstetric team are always happy to explain what is happening.
Birth Suite
Our birth suite is a warm, calming space designed to support your birthing journey with comfort and dignity.
The room is thoughtfully arranged to feel homelike, with soft lighting and comfortable furnishings, allowing you to relax and focus.
You can also have the option of using the birthing pool, which offers a soothing environment for water immersion during labour.
You’re welcome to have up to two support people with you, ensuring you feel safe and surrounded by care throughout your experience.
Postnatal Ward
Our 23-bed postnatal ward provides a nurturing and safe environment for our mothers to recover and bond with their newborns with the support of our Midwives, Nurses, Lactation Consultants and Doctors.
Please note that due to restricted capacity we cannot offer rooming in for partners or support people.
Visiting Hours
To ensure the safety of you and your baby, the maternity ward is a secure unit. This means visiting is restricted.
We encourage immediate family only to visit between the hours of 8am to 1pm, with other visitors welcome to attend between 3pm and 8pm. Visitors are not permitted between 1pm and 3pm.
When you arrive at the ward, press the intercom at the front entrance of the unit to gain access. You will be asked the name of the patient and may be asked to wait until other visitors have left. Visitors may be asked to leave at certain times due to the patient's condition, treatment, or if the patient prefers not to have visitors.
For the comfort and wellbeing of all patients, visitors are permitted up to two at a time.
Before you leave hospital
Your baby will receive a medical check by a GP Obstetrician or a Consultant Paediatrician before discharge from hospital.
Taking your newborn home
You are required by law to have an approved child restraint (baby seat) fitted to your car before your baby is discharged from hospital.
When you go home, you can contact a Child Health Nurse for ongoing care and support.
Visiting Midwifery Service (VMS) - care at home for you and your baby
The Visiting Midwifery Service is available to most women living within the Armadale catchment area and operates seven days a week, including public holidays.
After your baby is born, a midwife will visit you at home daily until your baby is seven days old. Following this, your care will continue with the community child health nurse.
Our midwives provide support, answer questions, and offer advice on caring for yourself and your baby.
Midwives visit between 08:00am and 4:00pm, so please keep that time free. We’re not able to give exact appointment times due to travel and scheduling.
To contact the VMS team, please call (08) 6458 1530.