Something to Remember 16 Greenslopes Maternity Your Journey Anti-D test A blood test in early pregnancy tells if your blood group is Rh (Rhesus) positive or Rh negative. Most women (85%) are Rh positive. If you are Rh negative and your baby’s blood group is Rh positive it can cause health problems, which can be treated. To prevent any complications during pregnancy, Rh negative women are given a prophylactic injection of Ant D immunoglobulin at approximately 28 and 34 weeks. You will also receive an Anti D injection after the birth of your baby if your baby’s blood group is Rh Positive. Birth plans A birth plan is a record of what you would like to happen during your labour. If you decide to create a birth plan, you are encouraged to write down your preferences so your wishes can be clearly communicated to all staff caring for you in labour. It is important that you discuss your plan with your obstetrician and maternity staff so your wishes can be discussed and any concerns for safety raised with you. What might be safe and practical for one mother may not be for another depending on factors such as your medical history, your overall health during your pregnancy, whether there is more than one baby to deliver and how the baby is positioned. Braxton Hicks contractions Most women start to feel Braxton Hicks contractions about halfway through their pregnancy. These weak, usually painless contractions will help to prepare your uterus for the birth of your baby. They might become more frequent and intense the closer you get to your birthing time. Due date The unborn baby spends around 38 weeks in the womb, but the average length of pregnancy (or gestation) is counted as 40 weeks. Pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period, not the date of conception, which generally occurs two weeks later. Some women are unsure of the date of their last period (perhaps due to period irregularities). If you have a regular 28-day cycle, a simple method to calculate when your baby is due is to add seven days to the date of the first day of your last period, then add nine months. For example, if the first day of your last period was February 1, add seven days (February 8), and then add nine months for a due date of November 8. An ultrasound is usually performed to confirm your due date. Monitoring During your antenatal period or prior to admission to hospital you will be asked to sign a pre admission patient information form. The purpose of this form is to make sure there is clear understanding by you and your partner as to the safety aspects of birth for you and your baby. It is important to us that both you and your baby are kept safe and well during labour. There will be a thorough assessment of you and your baby on arrival to the Birthing Suites. The baby’s heart beat and your contractions will be monitored electronically using a machine called a cardiotocography (CTG). The monitor is attached to your abdomen by a belt or you may be placed on a mobile telemetry unit so you can walk around. At all Ramsay Health Care maternity facilities, a CTG will be conducted on admission to make sure your baby’s heart rate is normal and then intermittently during labour unless there is an indication for continual CTG monitoring. If you decide to create a birth plan, you are encouraged to write down your preferences so your wishes can be clearly communicated to all staff caring for you in labour. It is important that you discuss your plan with your obstetrician and maternity staff... At all Ramsay Health Care maternity facilities, a CTG will be conducted on admission to make sure your baby’s heart rate is normal and then intermittently during labour unless there is an indication for continual CTG monitoring.
GPH Materntiy Your Journey Book PI499 0216
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