Maternity FAQS

Choosing an obstetrician may seem daunting, but there are a few things to consider. Here are our tips on how to choose an obstetrician:

• Ask friends, family or trusted medical professionals (such as your GP) for recommendations.
• Consider what you want in an obstetrician – Will they be available for all your appointments? Do they work out of multiple hospitals? Do they align with your birth preferences?
• Make sure you’re comfortable with them.
• Understand costs up front.

At Buderim Private Hospital, you and your baby are our top priority. Our maternity team, made up of a staff of highly experienced obstetricians, midwives and paediatricians, will help and guide you through your pregnancy, birth and beyond, providing informed, experienced medical knowledge in a tranquil, modern and comfortable setting.

Learn more about our obstetricians and the maternity team here.

Antenatal classes focus on providing participants with helpful information about pregnancy, maintaining health and handling unexpected situations. They are also great for new parents looking for a little extra help with early parenting skills.

At Buderim Private Hospital, our antenatal classes are presented by experienced experts and include a tour of our modern and welcoming Maternity Ward.

Topics include:

• The stages of labour.
• When to come to hospital.
• Planning for birth.
• Pain relief options.
• Unexpected outcomes, including vacuum/forceps and caesarean section.
• The midwife’s role.
• Your hospital stay.
• Breastfeeding.

Learn more about our antenatal classes and book a class here.

A typical pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, counting from the first day of your last period. This can be broken into three trimesters. Each trimester will bring changes for you and your growing baby. It’s important to remember, however, that each woman will have a different pregnancy experience.

You can learn about the stages of pregnancy and what to expect in the pregnancy trimesters here.

Exercising while pregnant is beneficial in many ways and is recommended – provided you don’t push yourself too hard and start with gentle exercise and low-impact routines. As a general rule of thumb, you should never exert yourself so much that you are breathless and unable to talk while exercising.

Learn more about diet and exercise during and after pregnancy here.

During your pregnancy, what you eat will influence the health, growth and development of your new baby. Be mindful of what goes into your body, eating a little more than you normally would and choosing foods that are packed with nutrition.

You should choose foods that are rich in key nutrients including protein, folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamins and minerals. You should also drink plenty of fluid throughout the day – at least two litres, including six tall glasses of water. This will help keep you hydrated and help ease some symptoms of pregnancy such as constipation and indigestion.

You can find more comprehensive advice on diet during pregnancy here.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is experienced and diagnosed only during pregnancy. It causes high blood sugar, which can affect your pregnancy, and your baby's health.

Gestational diabetes is routinely screened for during pregnancy through a glucose tolerance test, and most people won't experience symptoms associated with this type of diabetes. You can help prevent and control gestational diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet and incorporating gentle exercise during your pregnancy.

Learn more about how to maintain a healthy diet and exercise plan during your pregnancy here.

You can expect to gain around 10-15kg through your pregnancy. It’s a good idea to stay active during this time if you’re able. Maintaining a suitable exercise regime will help you with the changes to your body before and after you give birth.

Learn more about diet and exercise during and after pregnancy here.

We understand that preparing for your baby’s arrival can be stressful. From feeding and nappies to sleeping and entertainment, the amount of items a newborn needs can be a bit of a surprise for many mums-to-be.

We’ve pulled together a list of essential, useful and optional items to get you started. You can view the full list here.

A birth plan is your way of communicating the type of labour and birth you would like to have. This is an important step in preparing for your birth, and it can allow you to have more control during the birth process, so we recommend you create a plan to suit your desires. It might include things like labour and birthing positions, support preferences, pain relief and more.

There are a few things to consider, so don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start. Our guide can help you create a birth plan that is unique to you and your pregnancy. Learn more about creating a birth plan here.

We’re happy that you have chosen to have your baby with us, and we are excited to welcome you to our Maternity Ward. Your health and comfort is important to us, and we encourage you to bring a few things with you to the hospital to help us ensure your birth is a memorable and positive experience.

Here’s what to pack in your hospital bag:

• Your birth plan and maternity notes.
• Dressing gown.
• Slippers and socks.
• A nightdress or T-shirt to wear during labour.
• Hairband.
• Toiletries.
• Entertainment items to help you pass time.
• Comfort items (pillows, massage oil, heat packs, etc).
• Glasses or contact lenses (note you won’t be able to wear contacts if you’re having a c-section).
• Ambiance items (music, scented oils, etc).
• Snacks for you and your birthing partner.
• Camera.
• Mobile phone and charger.
• 2 to 3 nursing bras and breast pads.
• 2 packs of maxi pads.
• 2 to 3 sets of loose, comfortable pyjamas (depending on how long your stay is).
• A few pairs of comfortable (and disposable if need be) underwear.
• Change of clothes for you and your birthing partner.

You can find our complete pre-admission checklist here.

Your comfort and privacy throughout your labour, birth and postnatal recovery are our top priorities, which is why our rooms are designed to offer a safe, private and comfortable space for you and your birthing partner throughout your stay.

We offer a variety of amenities to make your stay more comfortable, including boutique toiletries, private ensuite, air conditioning, baby bath, and more!

You can learn about all the amenities on offer in our rooms here.

Labour is divided into three stages. Before you get to the first of these three stages, you may experience some early symptoms. You may experience some pain and discomfort.

Some of the early signs of labour include:

• A blood-stained mucous vaginal discharge known as a “show”.
• Lower back pain.
• Period-like cramps.
• Diarrhoea.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.

You can learn more about the signs you are going into labour here.

Labour time varies from person to person – no two births are the same! Generally speaking, the first stage of labour is the longest, and can last between eight and 12 hours for your first pregnancy, but might be quicker (around five hours) for subsequent pregnancies.

The length of the second stage of labour differs with each pregnancy. If this is your first baby, it can take a little longer (one to two hours). You will be closely monitored to ensure your labour is progressing as it should. If not, any issues that could be causing a delay will be investigated and handled.

The third stage varies and depends on your management preference and risks.

You can learn more about the stages of labour here.

Contractions can feel different for every woman, but generally are known to feel like period cramps with accompanying dull lower back pain. Braxton Hicks contractions are sometimes known as false labour, and feel similar to contractions and cause discomfort. Braxton Hicks contractions will stop by changing position or applying heat, where real contractions will continue.

It's important to know the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions so you know when it’s time to go to the hospital.

You can learn more about the stages of labour and contractions here.

There are a variety of options for pain relief when you give birth, and it’s important to understand your options when creating your birth plan. You should also discuss your preferences with your obstetrician. Some of the pain relief options available at Buderim Private Hospital include:

• TENS machine.
• Nitrous oxide gas.
• Narcotics injection.
• Epidural.
• Natural pain relief.
• Warm water immersion.

You can learn more about each pain management option available here.

Warm water can be used to ease the pain of the first stage of labour. It can also be used to deliver your baby. This is known as a water birth, and is an option for you at Buderim Private Hospital after discussion with your obstetrician.

This natural birth technique can make it easier to relax. Some women have reported that the natural buoyancy and weightlessness makes them feel more in control of their body. It also increases blood flow and relaxes your muscles, which can make it easier to cope with labour pains.

If you’re considering a water birth, you should discuss all of the pros and cons with your doctor ahead of time.

You can learn more about water births and what to expect here.

Commonly referred to as a c-section, a caesarean delivery is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made in your abdomen and uterus to allow the delivery of your baby. C-sections can be planned or unplanned.

While you know ahead of your delivery that you will be having a planned c-section, an unplanned c-section occurs after you’ve started labour and your doctor has reason to believe it must be performed.

Whether you need to go through a planned or unplanned c-section, your midwives and obstetrician are available to provide all the support and information you need before, during and after your procedure.

You can learn more about the caesarean delivery here.

Bonding time with a new baby is just as important for partners as it is for mum. It can also help your baby’s emotional development.

We understand the importance of this connection, which is why our maternity rooms are designed to accommodate both parents. We offer double beds and encourage partners to stay overnight with mum and baby. Other accommodations, such as partner meal plans and a parents room, are available to make it more convenient for parents to focus on caring for their new baby together.

You can learn more about our hospital rooms here.

The length of your hospital stay will depend on a few factors, including the type of delivery, your health and your baby’s health. If you have a vaginal delivery and both you and your baby are healthy, you can usually expect to stay in hospital for about three to four days after delivery. If you have a caesarean delivery, you may need to stay for longer, typically around four to five days.

Hospital visiting hours are from 3pm to 8pm every day and hospital parking is free, which gives family and close friends plenty of time to check-in, meet your baby and provide any additional help you and your partner may need. Tea and coffee facilities are available for guests, as is hospital Wi-Fi.

Following birth, it’s important to focus on the recovery process to ensure your body returns to normal without any complications. Diet and exercise can play a big part in this.

While coping with physical limitations can get frustrating at times, getting back to your pre-pregnancy body will take some time. Directly following the birth of your baby, your movements will be restricted, and how you integrate exercise back into your daily routine will depend on whether you had a vaginal birth or c-section.

As a general rule, you should be able to integrate some low impact exercises a few weeks after a vaginal delivery, and seven to 12 weeks after a c-section. You should avoid high impact exercise for three to six months after giving birth.

You can learn more about some exercise during and after pregnancy here.

Like most things that come with being a new mum, breastfeeding takes some practice. Don’t be discouraged if you and your baby don’t fall right into an easy feeding pattern. This is a learning experience for both of you.

There are some common challenges you might face when you first start breastfeeding, including pain, timing and frequency of feeding, diet and mastitis or breast infections. Beyond the first few weeks, you should fall into a schedule with your baby and breastfeeding should come naturally. However, sometimes extra breastfeeding support is needed.

Our friendly team is here to help. Learn more about breastfeeding here.

Following the birth of your baby, it is normal to go through emotional ups and downs. In some cases, though, the emotional lows can become overwhelming and be a sign of postnatal depression.

Remember that our friendly and supportive maternity team is here to support you, even after you give birth. If you feel like you need help with postnatal depression, do not hesitate to call your doctor.

You can learn more about postpartum depression and how to find support here.