Antenatal ward

Welcome to the antenatal ward

The antenatal ward is for people experiencing complications during their pregnancy, or undergoing induction of labour. Your stay on the ward will vary depending on the reason you have been admitted -please discuss this with your midwife or doctor.

The direct phone number for the antenatal ward is 01905 760586.

Visiting the antenatal ward

Whilst you are on the antenatal ward one birth partner is welcome to stay with you for the duration of your stay, a chair will be provided for your use.

Although visiting for birth partners is 24/7, we do encourage partners to return home to freshen up, rest and bring in anything additional required (i.e. taking washing home and bringing new clothes).

We have some ground rules for birthing partners, these are for the comfort and privacy of all patients on the ward.

• The birth partner chosen for open access must remain the same person for the entirety of your stay.
• Hospital beds are for mothers and birthing people and are not designed for sharing.
• Camp beds or sleeping on the floor is not permitted.
• Please always dress appropriately and fully.
• At night, please keep noise and light to a minimum and ensure that all mobile phones are switched off or on silent between the hours of 10pm and 6am.

Additional visitors and siblings:

Additional visitors are welcome to come to the antenatal ward, we ask that there are no more than 2 visitors at one time around your bed. Siblings are allowed to visit during these hours only. Other children will not be permitted to visit the ward.

Visiting hours – everyday from 2pm – 4pm.

Security

All entrances to the maternity unit are security controlled and we also have CCTV. To help us keep the unit secure, please do not let anybody else into the ward.

You can let yourself out by pressing the green button by the left side of the door. Please ensure you use the buzzer for the antenatal ward, not maternity triage.

Mealtimes and facilities

Meals will be provided while you are staying on the ward. The food trolley location is shown in the ward layout map, you or your birth partner can go and collect your meal.

If you have an allergy, any additional dietary requirements or are diabetic, please let the midwife caring for you know as soon as possible so we can ensure your meals can be ordered in time.

After your meal, your tray will be collected from your bed space. If you need assistance fetching your meal, help will be provided. Unfortunately, we don’t have the facility to heat up your own food or store it but you are welcome to bring in your own snacks.

Additional food such as fruit or sandwiches can be provided between meal times if required – please ask your midwife. Please help yourself to hot drinks from our drinks trolley.

If you have diabetes please read: Dietary information for pregnant inpatients with Diabetes.

Additional food and drink facilities:

Hospital restaurant
The hospital has a restaurant on the lower ground floor (level 0). It is open from 8am – 6pm, Monday – Friday; and 8am – 12pm on weekends.
There are also vending machines outside the restaurant and in the corridor at the main entrance.

RVS shop
There is a small shop in the main entrance area of the hospital. It is open 8.30am – 5pm from Monday -Thursday; 8.30am – 4pm on Friday; and 9.30am – 3pm on weekends.

Costa Coffee
There is a Costa Coffee outlet in the main entrance area of the hospital. It is open from 7am – 6pm on weekdays and 9am – 5pm on weekends.

Free WiFi

We have a Free NHS Public Wi-Fi service available in the hospital. You can access this through your device by following the below:

• Go to Wi-Fi settings on your device.
• Select ‘NHS Wi-Fi’ from the list of available networks.
• Once connected, select ‘create an account’, or if you have an account fill in the details.
• Select ‘continue’.
• If this if your first time connecting, please follow the on screen instructions to complete registration.
• Once you are registered and signed in, the landing page will be displayed.

You are now able to use our free Wi-Fi service. You will need to reconnect every 24 hours.

Parking

Worcestershire Royal Hospital operates both a ‘pay on foot’ and a ‘pay and display’ car park charging system. You can learn more about our parking charges, disabled parking and parking concessions on our Parking page.

Meet the team

During your stay you may meet several health professionals. The main staff members you will have contact with are detailed below. If you require any assistance while on the ward please press your call buzzer, we are more than happy to help.

Midwife		You will be cared for by a midwife during your whole stay on the postnatal ward. The midwife will be caring for you and 8 other families.
Support Workers		Support workers will be available on the ward supporting the midwives with your care. They will be visiting your bay or bed regularly on “care and comfort rounds.”
Maternity support workers		Maternity support workers will be available on the ward supporting the midwives with your care.
Student Midwife		As Worcestershire Royal is a teaching hospital, often a student midwife will be working alongside your midwife to provide your care.
Doctor		If you and your baby are well, you may not see a doctor on the postnatal ward. However, midwives can request a doctor to come and see if required.
Specialist Midwife		Depending on your care plan you may be seen by a specialist midwife, such as a diabetic midwife or an infant feeding midwife.
Cleaner		Cleaners will be present on the ward throughout your stay and will visit your bay or room daily to ensure the area is clean.
Ward Clerk		The Ward clerk is located at the front desk or midwives’ station. They may come and see you at your bedside to confirm your address and GP details before going home.

Care on the antenatal ward

Our handover times on the antenatal ward are:

• 7.30am – 8am
• 7:30pm – 8pm

There may not be as many midwives visible in the rooms or bays during these times but If you require assistance please don’t hesitate to use your call bell.

Routine care on the ward:

You will have your temperature, pulse and blood pressure checked at least once daily during your stay, and possibly more depending on the reason you have been admitted.

Your baby will be monitored at least once a day via a CTG monitor, if you are concerned about your baby’s movements please speak to your midwife.

• A sonic aid will be used to monitor your baby if you are between 16-26 weeks pregnant.
• A CTG monitor will be used to monitor your baby if you are 26 weeks or over.
• Additional checks maybe required depending on your individual care plan, your midwife will be able to advise what else to expect during your stay with us.

Going home from the antenatal ward

Depending on the reason you are admitted, you may be transferred to the delivery suite from the antenatal ward (for example if you are admitted in early labour or being induced).

You may be discharged home if your pregnancy complication is now stable and have continued care by the community midwife and consultant. Follow up appointments will be made before your leave.

Useful numbers when you go home:

Maternity triage – 01905 760571
Antenatal ward- 01905 760586