Latrobe Hospital: Maternity Services And Care

Latrobe Regional Hospital, located at 10 Village Ave, Traralgon VIC 3844, offers a range of services for women and children, including maternity services. The hospital has recently undergone a multi-stage, $223.5 million expansion, which included the addition of two new birthing suites, six maternity beds, and six special care nursery cots, allowing more women to give birth at the hospital each year. The hospital also offers parenting and breastfeeding classes, as well as a midwifery-run antenatal clinic and preparation for birth classes. In addition to maternity services, the hospital provides inpatient paediatric services for children up to the age of 16 and outpatient services through the Gippsland Private Consulting Suites.

Birthing options and procedures

Latrobe Regional Hospital offers a range of services for women, children, and babies, including maternity services. More than 800 women give birth at the hospital each year, and the hospital has recently undergone a multi-stage expansion to enhance its maternity services.

The hospital offers childbirth and breastfeeding classes, as well as parenting classes, to help prepare expectant parents for the birth and early parenting journey. These classes are led by experienced midwives and healthcare professionals.

The hospital has a midwifery-run antenatal clinic, where women can receive specialised care and support throughout their pregnancy. They also offer preparation for birth classes, providing valuable information and techniques to help women manage labour and delivery.

Latrobe Regional Hospital's maternity services include two new birthing suites, six maternity beds, and six special care nursery cots. The hospital's birth centre is designed to be a home away from home, providing a comfortable and welcoming environment for women and their families. It is located separately from the standard birth unit, emphasising the philosophy that pregnancy and birth are natural and unique events for each woman and her family.

In addition to maternity services, the hospital provides inpatient paediatric services for children up to the age of 16, including general medical, surgical, ear, nose, and throat, orthopaedic, and some oncology services. They also offer outpatient services through the Gippsland Private Consulting Suites, where a team of obstetricians and gynaecologists ensures a positive experience for women seeking advice and treatment.

Parenting and breastfeeding classes

Latrobe Regional Hospital offers a range of services for women, children, and babies. The hospital has recently undergone a multi-stage expansion, including enhanced maternity services. Over 800 women give birth at Latrobe Regional Hospital each year, and the hospital has a postnatal unit for mothers and newborns. In addition to maternity services, the hospital provides inpatient paediatric services for children up to the age of 16, covering areas such as general medicine, surgery, and oncology.

The hospital also offers a variety of classes and support services for new and expecting parents. This includes childbirth and breastfeeding classes, as well as preparation for birth classes. These classes are typically conducted during the initial appointment with the hospital's midwife. Latrobe Regional Hospital also has a midwifery-run antenatal clinic.

• Breastfeeding techniques: Instructing new mothers on proper latching techniques, breastfeeding positions, and troubleshooting common issues, such as low milk supply or latching difficulties.
• Newborn care: Educating parents on the basics of newborn care, including diapering, bathing, cord care, and recognizing hunger and tiredness cues.
• Infant development: Providing information on infant growth and development milestones, such as when to expect certain physical and cognitive developments, and how to support their baby's overall development.
• Sleep and soothing techniques: Teaching parents about healthy sleep habits for newborns and offering a range of soothing techniques to help comfort their babies, such as swaddling, shushing, or using a pacifier.
• Parent self-care: Emphasizing the importance of parental self-care and offering strategies for managing the physical and emotional changes that come with new parenthood, including adjusting to life with a newborn and seeking support when needed.
• Nutrition and feeding: Offering guidance on infant nutrition beyond breastfeeding, including an introduction to solid foods and age-appropriate feeding practices, as well as addressing any concerns or challenges related to feeding.

These classes are designed to empower parents and provide them with the confidence and skills needed to care for their newborns. They offer a supportive environment where new and expecting parents can ask questions, share concerns, and connect with other parents going through similar experiences.

Obstetricians and gynaecologists

Latrobe Regional Hospital offers a range of services for women, children, and babies, including maternity services. Over 800 women give birth at the hospital each year. The hospital has recently undergone a multi-stage expansion, which included the addition of two new birthing suites, six maternity beds, and six special care nursery cots, allowing more local mothers to give birth closer to home. The hospital also offers childbirth and breastfeeding classes, as well as a midwifery-run antenatal clinic and preparation for birth classes.

Latrobe Regional Hospital has a team of obstetricians and gynaecologists who provide care for pregnant women and those with gynaecological concerns. The hospital's obstetric ward procedures have been overhauled following an incident in 2019, with improvements made to communication and decision-making processes. The hospital now ensures that all obstetricians have the required skills and experience to handle complex births.

The hospital's gynaecological services are delivered with great care and sensitivity, ensuring a positive experience for women seeking treatment. In addition to obstetricians and gynaecologists, the hospital also has midwives who provide support and assistance to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Latrobe Regional Hospital also provides inpatient paediatric services for children up to the age of 16, including general medical, surgical, ear, nose, and throat, orthopaedic, and some oncology services. The Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service (VPRS) is also available at the hospital, offering intensive rehabilitation and assessments to children with functional and mobility issues. This service is supported by health professionals such as speech pathologists and occupational therapists.

Parking and visiting hours

Latrobe Regional Hospital offers free parking for all its patients and visitors. However, La Trobe Private Hospital has limited parking space and encourages patients to get dropped off and picked up by family or friends. The designated drop-off zones are located at the front of the hospital, and the car park can be entered via Ring Road from Kingsbury Drive. Mastercard, Visa, and AMEX credit cards are accepted at the gates and pay stations. Cash payments can also be made at the pay stations in the main reception foyer and the consulting suites foyer.

The hospital's general visiting hours are from 2 pm to 7 pm daily. Visitors are required to practise proper hand hygiene and are encouraged to seek help if they need to quit smoking.

The maternity unit at Latrobe Regional Hospital allows one visitor per session, with visiting hours from 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm daily. Visitors must be immediate family, such as grandparents or siblings above the age of 16. All visitors are required to take a rapid antigen test and wear surgical masks, which will be provided at the hospital's main entrance. Birthing women or maternity patients can have their partners or support persons with them for an unlimited time, but no overnight stays are allowed.

Maternity services and expansion

Latrobe Regional Hospital offers a range of services for women and children, including maternity services. More than 800 women give birth at the hospital each year, and the hospital has a postnatal unit for new mothers and babies. The hospital also offers childbirth and breastfeeding classes, as well as a midwifery-run antenatal clinic and preparation for birth classes. In addition, Latrobe Regional Hospital provides inpatient paediatric services for children up to the age of 16, including general medical, surgical, ear, nose and throat, orthopaedic, and some oncology services.

The hospital has recently undergone a multi-stage expansion, with the Victorian Government investing $223.5 million in the project. This has resulted in increased surgery capacity, with three more operating suites and six new intensive care unit beds. The expansion also includes a new emergency resuscitation bay, 14 medical and surgical beds, and 44 extra inpatient beds.

The expansion of maternity services was a significant part of the project, with the addition of two new birthing suites, six maternity beds, and six special care nursery cots. This means that more local mothers will be able to give birth closer to home. The hospital has also constructed a $6.5 million, six-bed emergency department mental health, alcohol, and drug hub to provide specialised support and take pressure off the general emergency department.

Latrobe Regional Hospital is committed to providing safe and high-quality maternity care. Following an incident in 2019, the hospital overhauled its obstetric ward procedures, and Safer Care Victoria and the Department of Health worked closely with the hospital to ensure improvements were made. The hospital also offers cultural care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recognising the traditional custodians of the land and respecting their connection to their ancestral lands.

Frequently asked questions