Staff at Epworth hospital’s new maternity wards are about to deliver the best birthing experience in Australia, if not the world.
The first births in the state-of-the-art facility at Waurn Ponds are scheduled for October this year with 20 women booked in to experience this five-star resort environment.
Imagine as a mother to be walking into your birthing suite and looking around at your double bed with decor better than a House Rules contestant could imagine, which includes a lounge and big screen TV for the nervous dad, as well as looking out on a tranquil rural views from your expansive windows.
Once settling into your bed you can then decide on entertainment for the evening choosing from a wide range of television and internet options. And if you feel a TV snack maybe in order you might want to use the touch screen technology to place an order for a chef-prepared meal from the kitchen and you can place your order any time. The meal will be delivered to your room by a smiling ward host who will also act as your own personal barrista providing freshly made coffee or other beverages at any time.
The Epworth is officially a “quiet hospital“ with special DECT mobiles ensuring that all technology is cordless and synched so phones, rooms and attending staff are all co-ordinated. All patients are guaranteed that they will be visited each hour by staff who can download all the latest updates and reports using the thumb print technology.
Cordless foetal monitoring equipment ensures that the mum-to-be can be safe and monitored at all times even if she wants to go for a stroll through the extensive outside areas.
And walking along any of the corridors in this resort-like hospital feels like a visit to any fine, metropolitan art gallery. Each corridor displays a different set of themed art works, some incorporating local landmarks, and all have been chosen and placed by the hospital’s own curator
“Everything in this hospital is built for the future and makes use of the best technology on offer globally,“ business development and marketing manager Susie Thomas says.
“Construction and design throughout just demonstrates the concern for people which is the driving force behind everything in this hospital.
“Key considerations in everything we do here are are respect, dignity and confidentiality.“
Manager of the Special Care Nursery Camille Gordon says staff felt “truly blessed“ to have access to the very best of equipment and technology in the new wards.
“We can care for babies born as early as 32 weeks because of the equipment now available and we are able to offer things like automatic screening for congenital heart defects,“ Camille said.
Special inbuilt cosy cots are in every suite and if the baby is taking its time to arrive the mother-to-be can ensure she has the warmest towels on the block for use while she waits. The large ensuites would not look out of place in a five-star hotel and they also have an inbuilt baby bath.
Nurse Unit Manager Antenatal and Birthing Gabby Ryan says that once the Mums have delivered they can make up for all that lost time with a special menu on offer which includes previously “taboo“ foods like soft cheeses and processed meats, all washed down of course with a chilled chablis if madam requires.
“We are also offering specialist classes for the dads and grandparents so the whole family can feel involved in the birth,“ Gabby says.
“Peace of mind is guaranteed because we have all the back-up teams located on the same level as the birthing suites, including specialist obstetricians and paediatricians.“
