Postnatal care in Brisbane

**KandBs Mumma** · 14-09-2011 20:10

Hi all,

Im a bit concerned at the lack of information provided to me by the Ipswich hosp- Ive asked 3 times and honestly kind of sick of getting half arsed answers!

Basically Im wanting to know where and when to get my postnatal checks done here. For baby and for me please. Does it cost?

All Ive been told is that the community midwife visits 3-5 times if you are discharged before 48hours.

I had my DD in NZ and the midwife whom you have all throughout labour and birth looks after you for 6 weeks postnatal.

Im not wanting to find someone to do it privately, I cant afford that (as much as Id like it

)

**Sundae** · 14-09-2011 20:28

I had my dd at Logan. I had one midwife visit my home 2 days after I got out of hospital. ( I was in hospital for 5 days had quite a complicated cesarian)
Then I had a phone call from the local child health centre on middle rd hillcrest and went out there once.
Other than that I visited my GP for immunizations at that's it. Hope that helps.

**BigW** · 18-10-2011 08:23

For the private side of things, St Andrews in Ipswich are great, it cost around $40 for a good 45 minutes session whenever I wanted to go in.
Publicly, I would jump on the net and google baby wellness clinics, or your GP should be able to give you the information you need.
Seeing the date of your post, I hope you're sorted already

**kmetius** · 18-10-2011 08:26

Your GP can do your checks there also used to be a child health clinic in the same complex as the ipswich train station (not sure if it's still there) you can also get your checks done at the hospital but you will need a referral as you didn't birth there

**SWandSH** · 18-10-2011 09:36

Yes I had no idea when I was d/c form hospital either.
Following the midwife home visits you can get on going care suport and advice, as well as linking in with a local mothers group via the maternal and child health clinics in your area. They can provide you with support on everything that relates to you and your baby following discharge. Sleep, feeding, your feelings, vaccinations etc etc
You can call the child health line 1300 366 039.
If you are interested in linking up with a mothers group I would call them the minute you are discharged from hospital. They can fill up quickly.
There is a load of help and support available, but for some reason the hospital staff are not very good at giving the information.
In my experience the MCHNs are much more helpful than midwives who only seem concrend with the babies welfare and not yours.
Enjoy your new bundle of joy!

**~isis~** · 18-10-2011 09:53

wow im shocked i had my boy there last year. i had my midwife ( i was in the group practice) come and see me a few times and then a child health person came to me or i could have gone to goodna where i had my midwife appointments. then from the 10 month mark ( i think) i just took him to my gp. i did have pnd and maybe this is why they had someone come to me.. more cause they were worried then anything else? but goodna and the ipswich health plaza have child health nurses. there could be other places but they are the 2 i know of and they are free service's. you can get the immunisations and health checks, also the health plaza has lactation consultants if you need them, and help with pnd and stuff like that. i must have been lucky cause i think highly of ipswich after my experience last year... the year before i had my son at logan (my first) as i lived there then.. and the hospital wasn't that bad, not great but good care considering what i had heard, i had no idea when i left there, i had a midwife come to me and do the bloodiest thing that was it... i was on my own.. so what i got from ipswich i thought was wonderful.. still do.

**MamaNurture** · 18-10-2011 10:47

Originally Posted by SWandSH

You can call the child health line 1300 366 039.

Just note that this is the number for child health on Brisbane northside.

Not sure how current this is, but it has a phone number in there.

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/materni...ds_ipswich.pdf

**KandBs Mumma** · 19-10-2011 11:12

Thanks everyone.

Think I will just go to my GP for my checks and the health clinic for my babies.

I have found the Ipswich hospital isnt very forth coming with any information- I was admitted with threatened premature labour at 32weeks (now 34 1/2 weeks yay!) and they didnt really explain what was happening, just gave me injections and medication to stop labour progressing, did a few internals etc but never said that 'this is how it is' was very confusing and upsetting.
I saw a really lovely female doc on one of my last days there and she explained everything after I asked (only one that did and I asked them all!).

So 2 1/2 weeks after that, I am still 3cm dilated, baby engaged and my cervix is only 15mm thick (instead of 3cm) so baby any day now... good to get the postnatal side organised in my head atleast

Thanks again everyone!