Wollongong Private Hospital Maternity – What to Expect
Choosing where to have your baby is an important part of planning your pregnancy. Where you give birth matters. It is where you will meet your baby for the first time, begin your recovery and spend those first few days learning about this newest little person in your family.
If you are considering Wollongong Private Hospital Maternity, knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared for labour, birth and those precious first days with your new baby.
One of the benefits of private maternity care is being able to choose your Obstetrician – who will provide continuity and personalised care throughout your pregnancy, birth and during the postnatal period.
Why choose Wollongong Private Hospital Maternity?
Every birth is different, and the team at Wollongong Private Hospital Maternity aims to provide a personalised, comfortable and supportive experience for women and their families. Women travel from all around the Illawarra, South Coast and the Southern Highlands to receive Obstetric care at Wollongong Private Hospital.
Wollongong Private Hospital maternity services include:
Private accommodation for approximately four to five nights
24-hour support from experienced midwives
Specialist lactation consultant support
Postnatal breastfeeding and physiotherapy classes
Childbirth and early parenting education
A Level 2 Special Care Nursery for babies from 34 weeks
Choice of paediatrician
Facilities for a partner or support person to stay overnight, subject to availability and an additional fee
Easy hospital access and undercover parking
A complimentary high tea for you and your partner
Combined with continuity from your Private Obstetrician, these services provide support not only for the birth itself, but also for your recovery and transition to life with your new baby. The longer hospital stay and having your partner or support person present overnight allow you extra bonding time with your baby, time to establish breastfeeding and additional support in the first few days where you may need a little extra care.
Before you arrive at hospital
Your preparation for birth starts well before you walk through the hospital doors.
Throughout pregnancy, regular appointments with your Private Obstetrician provide an opportunity to monitor your health and your baby's growth and wellbeing, while also preparing you for labour and birth.
If you have any urgent concerns you can call the hospital 24 hours a day. If you need to be seen you will be invited into the hospital and the experienced midwifes will then liase with your obstetrician (see our recent Instagram post on who to call if you have pregnancy concerns).
You can read more about private care with an obstetrician on our Pregnancy Care and Midwifery Care pages.
What happens when it's time to have your baby?
You may arrive at Wollongong Private Hospital Maternity in spontaneous labour, for a planned induction or for a planned caesarean birth.
One of the advantages of having an established relationship with your Obstetrician is that your doctor already knows you, your medical history, your pregnancy and the conversations you have had about birth.
Birth, however, is not always predictable. If circumstances change, having this continuity can be particularly reassuring. Your obstetrician will deliver your baby whether you have a vaginal birth or a caesarean section.
Your stay after having your baby
Following the birth of your baby and your initial recovery, you will generally transfer to the Maternity Ward within a few hours.
Wollongong Private Hospital offers private accommodation for approximately four to five nights, depending on your individual needs. Your length of stay is not usually based on whether you have had a vaginal birth or caesarean section, and instead provides additional support for breastfeeding, or caring for the newborn, so that you feel confident returning home as new parents.
During this time, experienced maternity staff are available 24 hours a day to provide individualised postnatal care, including assistance with feeding, settling, newborn care, your physical recovery and general parenting questions.
Your Private Obstetrician also continues to oversee your medical care following birth.
Breastfeeding and feeding support
Feeding a newborn is a skill, and questions are very common — whether this is your first baby or your fourth.
During your stay at Wollongong Private Hospital Maternity, support is available from experienced maternity staff and a specialist Lactation Consultant. Postnatal breastfeeding classes provide another opportunity to discuss feeding and any concerns you may have.
If you are considering antenatal expressing or have concerns about breastfeeding based on a previous experience, these can also be addressed during your pregnancy by referral to a lactation consultant or discussion with your Obstetricians practice midwife.
Postnatal physiotherapy and recovery
Pregnancy and delivery place significant demands on the body, and recovery doesn't happen overnight.
Wollongong Private Hospital provides postnatal physiotherapy education. If you require individual physiotherapy assessment this can also be arranged.
What if my baby needs extra care?
For expectant parents, knowing additional neonatal support is available if needed can provide reassurance.
Wollongong Private Hospital has a Level 2 Special Care Nursery that can care for babies from 34 weeks' gestation.
The hospital also allows you to choose your paediatrician. Your paediatrician is on call during your hospital stay and performs your baby's well-baby checks before you go home.
Paediatrician fees are separate from obstetric fees, so it is worth checking expected costs and your private health insurance arrangements before birth.
Can my partner stay?
Partners or support people can stay overnight. There is an additional fee, and accommodation is subject to availability. Siblings are welcome to visit their new brother or sister but cannot stay overnight.
During your stay, Wollongong Private Hospital Maternity also offers a complimentary high tea for you and your partner to celebrate your baby's arrival.
Meals are prepared onsite each day, special dietary requirements can be catered for.
Going home with your new baby
The aim of your postnatal stay isn't simply physical recovery. It is also about helping you feel more confident before taking your baby home.
Midwives are available around the clock to help with feeding, settling, newborn care and general parenting questions.
Your relationship with your Obstetrician in Wollongong also doesn't end when you leave hospital. Postnatal follow-up provides an opportunity to review your recovery, discuss your birth and address any ongoing concerns.
Choosing your Private Obstetrician in Wollongong
Choosing an obstetrician is a very personal decision.
Dr Emma Tetstall provides pregnancy care that is thoughtful, collaborative and tailored to each individual, with a focus on ensuring women feel informed, comfortable and supported throughout pregnancy and birth.
Dr Tetstall limits her obstetric bookings to allow for personalised care and continuity throughout pregnancy and birth, so contacting the practice early in pregnancy is recommended.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, feel free to reach out by contacting out rooms.
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The length of stay depends on your individual needs and those of your baby. Wollongong Private Hospital generally provides private maternity accommodation for approximately four to five nights following birth, allowing time for recovery, feeding support and adjusting to caring for your newborn.
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Yes. A partner or support person may stay overnight. An additional fee applies and overnight stays are subject to availability. Only one person can stay overnight, while siblings are welcome to visit but cannot stay overnight.
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Yes. Wollongong Private Hospital has a Level 2 Special Care Nursery for babies from 34 weeks' gestation who require additional care or observation after birth.
In the rare circumstances when delivery is required prior to 34 weeks delivery will be at Wollongong Public Hospital, which can deliver from 32 weeks gestation. Dr Tetstall has admitting rights at Wollongong Public and is able to deliver there if required.
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Yes. Wollongong Private Hospital Maternity provides breastfeeding support from experienced maternity staff and a specialist Lactation Consultant. Postnatal breastfeeding classes are also available during your stay.
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Yes. One of the benefits of private maternity care is the ability to choose your Private Obstetrician. Dr Emma Tetstall is an Obstetrician in Wollongong who provides continuity of care throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
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Yes. Women may give birth at Wollongong Private Hospital following spontaneous labour, induction of labour or a planned caesarean birth. Your individual circumstances, preferences and birth options can be discussed with your obstetrician throughout pregnancy.
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It is a good idea to contact your preferred obstetrician early in pregnancy. Dr Tetstall limits the number of obstetric patients she books to allow for personalised care and continuity, so early enquiries are encouraged.
You can also see a Private Obstetrician before becoming pregnant. A preconception consultation can be particularly useful if you have an existing medical condition, previous pregnancy complications, medications to review or questions about preparing for pregnancy.
