Ante-Natal Clinic

At The Mater Hospital, we understand how special the birth of your baby is to you and have prepared comprehensive maternity services catering for antenatal, delivery and post-natal needs for you and your baby. You will receive personalized care from the moment you arrive until you take your baby home. We have compassionate, experienced doctors and midwives who will support you throughout your hospital stay. Whether it's helping you get comfortable during labour or teaching you how to care for your new baby, our team will be there for you. The Mater Hospital is a firm advocate of the right to life and is opposed to abortion, unless where medically necessary.

Ante-natal care

This service is designed to monitor the changes in mother and baby and ensure both are safe. Mothers are advised on measures they should take to safeguard their health and that of their babies. A variety of medical examinations are recommended to detect any risks to the mother and baby. Early detection enables early intervention. The services offered at this stage include the following:

• Blood pressure
• Blood grouping
• Haemogram
• Venereal disease (VDRL)
• Urinalysis
• HIV test (optional but recommended) and counseling
• Physical exercises (with the advice of an obstetrician and physiotherapist)

  Every pregnant woman is handled by professional nurses and doctors who provide them with continuity of care throughout her pregnancy. This includes regular antenatal check-ups, care during the labour and birth, and continuing check-ups after birth. You will be offered an ultrasound scan between 10 and 13 weeks to estimate when your baby is due and after 32 weeks. There are learning and exercise classes offered under the guidance of an obstetrician and a physiotherapist for antenatal mothers.

Labour and delivery

Admission is booked a few days before the due date but we are well prepared to cope with any emergencies. Our Maternity Section is manned by a team of experienced Obstetricians and midwives and has paediatricians who will examine your baby after birth. Most children are born normal and healthy and will often be on their way home within hours.

Normal or Caesarian

The nurses in the maternity unit are flexible and helpful and ensure that mothers and babies are comfortable. During the hospital stay, the nursing staff offers advice to mother on baby care.

Maternity Packages

The Mater Maternity package entails antenatal visits, delivery and postnatal care.

1. Antenatal visits only
   
   • Upto 8 visits (including out of office hours visits)
   • Laboratory tests (Urinalysis, Haemogram, Blood Grouping, VDRL, HIV – Optional)
   • Two Obstetric Ultrasound Scans
   • Three months supply of prenatal iron and calcium supplements
   • Prenatal classes
2. Normal Delivery Package (Expectant mothers can take up antenatal visits as above with this package)
   
   • 3 days stay for mother and General Nursery care for the baby
   • Ward Procedures & provision of Consumables
   • Doctor and Paediatrician visits for the three days
   • Labour Ward charges which include medication and episiotomy if necessary
   • Pain Medication in the ward
   • Child immunization before discharge
3. Caesarean Section (Expectant mothers can take up antenatal visits as above with this package)
   
   • 5 days stay in the general ward
   • 1 day special care and 4 days General Nursery for the baby
   • Laboratory tests
   • Maternity operating theatre services, Anaesthetic services and medication
   • Doctors visits for the mother and Paediatrician visit for the baby
   • Normal ward procedures and provision of consumables
   • Pain medication in the ward and on discharge
   • Child immunization before discharge
4. Postnatal care
   
   • Both Normal Delivery and Caesarean Section mothers are entitled to 2 postnatal visits upto 6 weeks

Antenatal clinics are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursday from 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. First booking is on Wednesdays. At each visit the mother receives a complete antenatal examination. Clinic visits are spread into different days of the week, Monday to Saturday for both Postnatal and child welfare clinics.