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Welcome to maternity services at Colac Area Health. The maternity unit sits within a uniquely integrated area health service and provides quality maternity care to the local community and surrounding districts. The maternity unit staff are committed to family centred, individualised maternity care, which encourages the involvement of family members in the birth and care of a new baby. The service offers women a comprehensive range of pregnancy, birthing and postnatal support services. Services are designed to ensure families are well prepared for and informed during pregnancy and have adequate access to support services upon leaving hospital. Flexibility and choice are important aspects of maternity care and the midwives encourage all families to choose the birthing and postnatal options that best suit their individual needs and circumstances.
The maternity unit is a 4 bed unit, specifically designed to provide privacy and comfort for every woman, her family and significant others across the continuum of the childbearing journey. A total of 240 babies were born at the Colac Area Health maternity unit in 2010, and we are experiencing a growing demand for local, individualised maternity care. The maternity unit consists of 2 birthing suites and two single postnatal rooms and is staffed 24 hours a day by a supportive and highly dedicated team of midwives and visiting medical officers (GP Obstetricians and anaesthetists). The maternity services team leader (clinical midwife consultant) and a specialist obstetrician are also available for wider consultation and advice to all maternity services staff as required.
The same maternity unit staff, midwifery and medical, work across all areas of maternity care, offering the opportunity for some continuity of care across the entire birthing and early parenting experience.
We welcome all women and their families to discuss their options with us and to provide us with your feedback and suggestions for service improvement. Please contact the Maternity Services Team, Monday-Friday 8.30 am-4 pm to discuss your experience and our services, and how we may assist you in planning for your stay with us.
Ph: 5232 5444
Visiting hours
For maternity clients 2-8 pm only Partners/support persons and other children are welcome to visit anytime. Rest period 12.30-2 pm – we ask all visitors to please respect and observe this rest period to provide women with an opportunity to rest and recover.
Pregnancy careClick on the link below for more information
Adolescent Women’s Community Health Nurse/Midwife Childbirth and Parenting Education Classes – six week program
Birthing SuiteClick here to read more
Postnatal ServicesClick here to read more
Maternity Support ServicesClick here to read more
Community DevelopmentThe maternity unit fosters an involvement with the community and community agencies. These include Bubs in the Hub – young women’s group, Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA).
Related LinksHaving a Baby in Victoria: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/maternity/
3 centres Collaboration: http://3centres.com.au/
National Guidance on Collaborative Maternity Care: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/cp124syn.htm
Kidsafe Victoria: http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/
Australian College of Midwives: http://www.midwives.org.au/
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