There are two within the Maternity Unit, Bonnington and Lawrence Wards. Each ward has 2 bedded bays, 4 bedded bays and single rooms, accommodating 27 mothers. Single rooms are used for mothers needing extra rest or privacy and not necessarily available on request. There are bathrooms, showers, toilets and bidets all within easy location.

Each bed has its own individual wardrobe, bedside locker and bedside table. There are also cots with small storage space for babies’ toiletries. As length of stay in hospital is usually of short duration we ask you to bring in a minimum of personal necessities. This minimises clutter around beds to make it easier for domestic staff to clean the ward. Each bed has a television and telephone, which you can subscribe to via Hospedia.

Laminated notices at the side of each bed welcome you to the ward and give you additional information, including information about visiting times, visiting photography service, ward routine and meal times. Mail is delivered to the ward twice a day and staff will deliver this to you.

We encourage you to keep your baby by your bedside. Staff will advise and help you with your chosen method of feeding your baby.

There are facilities for disabled mothers on each ward including height adjustable beds, height adjustable cots and disabled bathrooms.; Arrangements can be made for personal carers to stay if required.

Other accommodation includes a small sitting room, if you wish to watch television, or have some privacy. A dining room is located on each ward, where mothers are encouraged to have their meals. A ward waitress serves meals. If you are tired or unwell, a midwife will inform the waitress and your meal will be served to you in bed.

Staff involved in your care will include midwives, midwifery assistants, student midwives and student doctors, ward waitresses, ward housekeepers and receptionist. You may also be cared for by doctors, physiotherapists and dieticians. All staff wear an identification badge with both their photograph and name on. <

Some mothers are admitted to the ward before they have their baby either for rest or tests and observations. A doctor and midwife will be involved in your care and discuss your care with you.

After you have had your baby, if all was well antenatally, and you have a normal delivery without complications, you will be transferred to the hotel until you are transferred home, where your care will then be with your Community Midwife. Most mothers choose to stay in hospital for a short period of time. Otherwise you will be transferred to a ward for your postnatal care and a midwife or doctor will advise on when to go home. Average length of stay for mothers who have had an elective caesarean section is three days. Length of stay is reviewed on a daily basis and depends on the progress of both mother and baby.

All babies are seen by Hearing Screening staff prior to transfer home and if you are in hospital for longer than twenty-four hours a Paediatrician or Midwife will examine your baby for Newborn assessment. If you are transferred home early you will be advised to attend a drop-in clinic at the hospital within 4 weeks.

If either you or your baby need any further appointments at the hospital, the ward receptionist will make these appointments for you.

Click here to download an information leaflet about third/fourth degree perineal tears during child birth.

Transitional care

Some babies are born small and/or early, but do not need to go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. These babies can be cared for on Bonnington ward in Transitional Care. Babies are recognised as requiring transitional care if they are born before you have reached your 36^th week of pregnancy, or if they weigh less than 2.3kg. In this area the staff will show you how to care for your baby in a more specialised way. It is likely that you will spend a longer time in hospital with your baby while he or she recovers and learns to feed well and gain weight

What are visiting times?

14.30 -20.00hrs

Husbands/partners may visit 10.00 -12.00 hrs and 14.30 -20.00hrs. Following suggestions from mothers we encourage a quiet period on the wards between 12.00 -14.30hrs.  We also recommend only 2 visitors at a time, as it can become very tiring for mothers if the ward is noisy. Click here for the Visitor Guide.

Can my partner go with me if I have a scan?

The ward staff are notified of scan appointments and we are happy for mother to be accompanied by her partner. However, sometimes scans are performed at short notice.

What if I have specialist dietary needs?

There is a menu booklet by each bed and the ward waitress will order any dietary requirements for you.

Can my visitors get food/drink?

There is a restaurant in the Patient Hotel on the 2nd floor of the Maternity Unit and a Coffee City cafe maternity unit foyer. There is also a restaurant on the main campus and there are vending machines at several locations around the hospital. For Health and Safety reasons we ask you not to carry hot drinks around the unit.

Does the Hospital provide nappies?

Mothers are asked to bring in own nappies, baby clothes and baby toiletries, although the wards do carry a supply of terry nappies, and small supply of clothes.