Maternity

The Maternity Unit - June 2020

Celebrating International Day of the Midwife - 5 May 2020

The theme was “Midwives with women: celebrate, demonstrate, mobilise, unite – our time is NOW!" In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, our midwives have risen to this extraordinary challenge to support one another in the fight to protect women and babies. Thank you to our maternity team for making this video.

These pages contain information which you and your relatives or carers may find useful during a stay or visit. If you are unsure about anything while at the hospital, please ask a member of staff, they will be happy to help. The Maternity Unit (Maty) is a four bedded unit and is run by midwives who are supported by Consultant Obstetricians. We provide a 24-hour service within the unit. Specialised services are restricted and this may result in transfer to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. The Unit Midwives aim to offer women choice, participation and control in decisions concerning their care during pregnancy, in labour and postnatally, including support and advice on infant feeding.

Team Midwifery

"The Best Start" Government Initiative identified that all women will have 'continuity of carer' from a primary midwife and all midwives will be aligned with a caseload of women.

Within NHS Orkney, we have moved to Team Midwifery and you will be part of a named team with no more than three midwives delivering your antenatal care throughout your pregnancy. They will be supported by Maternity Auxiliaries and Hotel Services staff on the ward.

Your named Team Midwife will plan, implement and evaluate your care with you whilst you are pregnant. They will also be responsible for caring for you and your baby while in hospital on Orkney and on return from another hospital. Our teams are:

TEAM FARA TEAM CAVA TEAM SWONA

Uniforms

Senior Charge Midwife	Staff Midwife	Maternity Auxiliary	Hotel Services

Dark Blue	Blue	Light Blue	Green

Obstetricians

If everything with you and your baby is perfectly normal you will not see a consultant and your care will remain with the midwife. However, at any stage if you or your midwife feels it is safer to get the advice of the consultant then we can refer you to them. Other members of the team are:

Physiotherapists who can help teach you how to relax and avoid strain. They can help with specific problems such as back pain and stress incontinence and will help with postnatal exercises.
Dietitians can help with morning sickness, eating problems and weight problems.
Social workers and chaplains are available if the need arises.

Students

The Maternity Unit is part of a teaching hospital. You may be asked to allow them to take part in your care. If you do not wish students to be present, please let a member of staff know. Your refusal will not affect the care you receive in any way. Students wear grey uniforms.

Visiting

We have open visiting for your husband/partner and your children and encourage their involvement in caring for your new baby.

Antenatal Care

As soon as you know you are pregnant call the Maternity Unit on 01856 888238. The team will arrange you’re booking appointment and have an initial discussion with you.You will also be given a Booking pack that contains your essential Ready Steady Baby Book which will supply you with all the pregnancy related information you will need during your pregnancy. You will also be offered Antenatal appointments at the following stages: 16, 22, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 week's gestation.

Will I have a scan of my baby?

You will be offered an ultrasound scan at around 12 weeks and a detailed scan at 20 weeks. In certain circumstances you may be offered more scan appointments. It is important that the person doing your scan is able to concentrate; therefore only one person will be allowed to accompany you during your scan. It is not appropriate for babies and young children to attend.

Badgernet Notes

If you wish you can now have access to your Maternity notes via an online app called Badgernet. you will be able to use your own pc, tablet or smart phone to see your pregnancy details and results from tests and examinations. Ask your Midwife for more details at your booking appointment.

Parenthood Classes

You and a partner are invited to attend classes from 28 weeks gestation, which aim to prepare you for the birth of your baby. They are held every Wednesday night at 7.30pm in the Maternity sitting room. There are 4 classes:

Labour 1 (Going into labour & normal delivery)
Labour 2 (Complications, Induction etc)
Breastfeeding
Postnatal

Breast Feeding

Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby. Whatever your choice, you will be supported throughout by all staff. A copy of the NHS Orkney Breast-feeding Policy can be found in our Publications Section. The policy is also on display in the Maternity Unit,

Breast-feeding Support Groups

There are various Breast-feeding Support Groups available for all pregnant women, first time and experienced breast-feeders, are welcome to share experiences and support each other. Drop in times for the groups are:

Westray - Informal group: Mothers meet in own homes, further details from the Health Visitor on 01856 888 115. (Free)
Breast Feeding Support Group: Life Centre Creche, East Road, Kirkwall every Thursday morning between 10.30-12.00pm (Free)

Aquanatal Classes

You are welcome to attend midwife led Aquanatal classes at The Pickaquoy Pool from 12 weeks gestation onwards. Classes are held on Thursdays from 5.15pm to 6.00pm. Cost for each session is approx. £4.00 or available free as part of the Active Life Membership if you have one. Please take a drink with you for pool side.

Aquanatal helps in preparation for labour and delivery, as it helps maintain physical fitness and psychological wellbeing. It’s a sociable and fun session and a great opportunity to meet other mums to be. Please discuss any health concerns with the midwives/GP before starting. Please notify staff if you are a non swimmer. You may take a friend with you for support.

When in Hospital you will need

Comfortable clothing and nightwear
Snacks for when you’re in labour
Toiletries
Breast pads/Sanitary towels
Cotton wool/nappies/babywear (Real nappies are available to use on the unit).

Scotland's Baby Box

The Scottish Government want every child in Scotland to have the best possible start in life so you will be entitled to receive a baby box which contains all the essentials for your baby and can also be used as a safe and comfortable place for your baby to sleep. You will be able to register for your box from 20-24 weeks pregnant and should be delivered to your home four weeks before baby is due. Speak to your midwife or find out more at parentclub.scot/babybox

Labour & Delivery

When do you come in?

Contact the ward on 01856 888 238
When your waters break
If you are bleeding.
If your contractions are coming about five minutes apart and/or are painful.

You will also be able to refer to your Ready Steady Baby Book for essential information.

Notice 1

Please contact the Unit first and then make your way to the Maternity Unit at The Balfour Hospital via:

The Main Entrance which is open between 7.00am to 9.00pm

At any other time please enter through the Emergency Department at the side of the building.

emergency door

What happens in labour?

During labour you will be looked after in a single room. Your midwife will be responsible for your care and the delivery of your baby and she may be assisted by a student midwife. Medical staff are always at hand should their expertise be needed.

Your midwife discusses your choices with you and whenever possible these plans will be followed. Any changes recommended because of complications developing are fully discussed with you so you remain involved in the whole process.

After your baby is born, it is best that skin to skin contact starts as soon as possible, unless you or your baby requires medical attention.

Keeping in touch

It is natural that friends and family will be anxious to know of your progress and to hear news of your baby's birth. You can give them your own mobile number so that they can contact you at any time. This also helps to keep the hospital telephone lines clear for priority calls. In the interests of security and privacy for all women, women in labour are encouraged to have one birth partner.

Outer Isles Residents

If you are a resident on one of the Outer Isles, you will be asked to come to the Mainland near your due date. Your Antenatal care will be in the Antenatal Clinic on the Maternity Unit. If you have any concerns between clinic visits or about accommodation you can contact the Unit at anytime and speak to a Midwife on 01856 888238.

Additional Information

We take all care to make sure that your stay on the unit is as uncomplicated as possible, but you can help with the following:

Medicines: Remember to take all your medicines into hospital with you. Tell us if you have any allergies to medications. If your medicine looks different to what you expected or you don't know why you're taking them, please ask us why.
Results: Ask us when and from whom you will get the results of your test or procedure. Also ask if your results will be sent out to your home address, given out over the telephone, or discussed in person with your doctor. If you don't receive your results when you expected, please call to check why. When you get your results, ask what they will mean for your future care.
Operations and Examinations: If you are to have an operation/examination, make sure that you know what it is, why you are having it, what happens afterwards and how long your recovery will take. Before an operation/examination, remember to tell us about any medicines you are taking, any allergies, difficulties you've had with an anaesthetic and any health problems.
Questions: If you have any questions about your care or treatment, please ask a doctor/midwife. You may find it helpful to have a friend or relative with you. If you are not sure about any answers, please ask the doctor/midwife to explain further.

Safety of your baby

Please help us to keep your baby safe. Do not be afraid to challenge anyone who wishes to touch your baby if you do not know who they are. If your baby is having tests, these will be done beside your bed or you will be invited to go with the baby to observe them being done. For these reasons the baby stays beside you whenever possible. The unit has a security entrance system. However, if you have to leave your baby alone, tell a member of staff or ask another mother to watch the baby for you.

Hearing Screening for your baby

The newborn hearing screening test takes place on the ward by one of our trained maternity team. It helps to identify babies who have permanent hearing loss as early as possible. This means parents can get the support and advice they need right from the start. For additional information, see the NHS website.

Neonatal Care

If your baby is born early or becomes ill for any reason, we will contact the Neonatal Unit in Aberdeen to discuss the baby’s care. If the baby requires to be transferred to a neonatal unit we will organise this as quickly as possible by Air Ambulance. In the Neonatal Unit, baby's parents may visit at any time, and the baby's siblings are welcome.

Postnatal Care

The aim of postnatal care is for you to recover from having the baby and to be able to care for the baby yourself. It is a time for you to get to know your baby and to practice some of the skills you need at home in the safe environment of hospital. For these reasons your baby stays beside you whenever possible. The midwives and maternity auxiliaries will be available to assist you. Your midwife continues to help with this process once you are home and many women now choose to spend a relatively short time in hospital.

When can I go home?

This will depend on you and your baby's progress. If all is well you may choose to go home any time after six hours post delivery. If you plan to do this make sure you have organised some support at home. Your baby will be examined while you are in hospital to make sure he or she is healthy enough to go home.

Car Seats

Babies and young children must always travel in an appropriate car seat. Before you take your baby home please make sure you know how to secure your type of car seat in your car correctly.

Never use a rear-facing baby seat in the front of a car where an airbag is fitted (unless it is switched off). If using a front-facing seat, position the car seat as far back as possible. Should the car have airbags in the rear, check the car manual or contact the manufacturer to see if it has been tested with a car seat fitted and get a copy of the research results before fitting the seat.

When travelling to Aberdeen for delivery please ensure you take your car seat with you for your return journey.

Postnatal Home Visits

The midwives will use an NHS community car when visiting you at home after your delivery. They will attend for around ten days or more. Your Midwife will then handover your care to a Health Visitor.

Baby Massage

Classes take place in the maternity sitting room every Wednesday at 2pm. You have to sign up for the course (£5 for 4 weeks) & your baby has to be at least 6 weeks old. Ask staff for further details. You can also find out the benefits of Baby Massage for you and your baby here.

Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and Travel information

Orkney and Shetland Rooms

Aberdeen Maternity Hospital | Telephone: 0845 456 6000
The self catering accommodation consists of six single rooms and four twin bedded rooms plus two TV rooms, a kitchen, a laundry room and shared bathroom/shower/toilet facilities. These rooms are available for patients and partners and are allocated on a first come first served basis. The rooms cannot be booked in advance therefore if your admission is planned be prepared to have alternative accommodation for the first night or until a room is available in the self catering unit. Contact the reception desk on arrival for availability and further information.
Red Cross House (24 hour service)
Red Cross House, 18 Clairmont Place, Aberdeen AB10 6RH | Telephone: 01224 494 486
The Red Cross House is a hospital guest house ideally suited for relatives and friends visiting patients and also for Outpatients attending clinics for treatment at Aberdeen Hospitals. Accommodation is available for 25 people in single, double, family and disabled rooms, all with en-suite facilities and TV’s.

Travel ID

All patients who travel by air on a scheduled flight must have an acceptable form of photographic ID with them. This could be a passport or driving licence. You will also need a 'Fitness to Fly' letter signed by your Midwife if you are over 28 weeks. Don't forget your car seat for your return journey home if you are delivering in Aberdeen.

Air Ambulance

On occasion you may have to travel to Aberdeen by Air Ambulance. If required a midwife will accompany you. The Service also works closely with specialist retrieval teams such as Neonatal Emergency.

Partners or relatives may be able to travel with patients on an air ambulance, but will be responsible for their ownaccommodation and return flight costs, unless they meet the escort criteria as stated within the NHS Travel Policy (ie the patient has had a caesarean section).

You can now follow us on our Facebook page at NHS Orkney Balfour Maternity to find out regular Maternity related updates and information.

Useful Pregnancy Information & Advice

Useful Contact Numbers

Home start | Telephone: 01856 870770
Women's Aid Orkney | Telephone: 01856 877900
Domestic Abuse Police Scotland | Emergency Telephone: 999 | Non Emergency Telephone: 101
Breastfeeding Network Support line | Telephone: 0300 100 0212
National Childbirth Trust | Telephone: 0300 330 0700
Nordhaven Sexual Health Clinic Orkney | Telephone: 01856 888 917
NHS Orkney Health Promotion | Telephone: 01856 888 084
Social Security Scotland | Telephone: 0800 182 2222

For more information:

01856 888238

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