Kalamunda Birthing Rooms
Frequently Asked Questions
- About Kalamunda Birthing Rooms/Space
- Who is eligible to birth in the Kalamunda birthing rooms?
- How do I find out more about the CMP?
- What pain relief can I have?
- What happens if there is a problem in labour or immediately after?
- How many midwives will be at my birth?
- What happens after the birth?
About Kalamunda Birthing Rooms/Space
The Community Midwifery Program has 2 birthing rooms attached to Kalamunda hospital for exclusive use by CMP clients. These birthing rooms are Midwifery led and there is no Obstetric or Paediatric cover whilst birthing at Kalamunda - for this you would need to transfer to a hospital. The CMP Midwives run weekly antenatal and postnatal clinics in the Kalamunda space and also hold education sessions, mums and bubs and informative talks in the group room on many issues related to pregnancy birth and beyond.
Who is eligible to birth in the Kalamunda birthing rooms?
All clients booked onto the CMP and fit the inclusion criteria would be suitable to birth in the Kalamunda Birthing Rooms.
How do I find out more about the CMP?
For information about eligibility for the CMP, how to apply, when you meet your midwife, antenatal appointments and postnatal support, see the About the CMP FAQ.
What pain relief can I have?
Water birth is available at the Kalamunda birthing rooms, alternatively a TENS machine may also be useful which you can hire. Some women may chose to use alternative therapies to assist them in labour such as aromatherapy, homeopathy and hypnobirthing, CMP Midwives do not carry and are unable to administer these therapies. You and your partner will need to speak with a complementary therapist prior to your labour to ensure you are fully informed on the use of such therapies and their safety. Pharmacological methods of pain relief such as ‘gas and air’, pethidine and epidurals are not available at Kalamunda.
What happens if there is a problem in labour or immediately after?
Should a problem arise an ambulance will be called and you will be transferred directly to Swan District Hospital or King Edward Hospital. All CMP midwives have the appropriate training and experience to identify a potential problem and manage emergencies and, if needed, can quickly arrange a calm transfer to hospital. In the unlikely event of an emergency your midwife has the necessary skills and training to provide immediate response to the situation whilst waiting for an ambulance to transfer you to hospital.
How many midwives will be at my birth?
You will have two midwives present at your birth. Your primary midwife will attend and support you throughout your labour and he/she will call a support midwife (whom you most likely will have already met) just before your baby is about to be born. The midwives work in small groups. In the event that your primary midwife is unavailable to attend, the on call midwife will attend in her place (again whom you most likely will have already met). The CMP also support midwifery students and you may have a student involved during your pregnancy. You may choose to invite him/her to participate in your labour and birth.
What happens after the birth?
Following the birth you will be discharged home after 4-6 hours and your CMP midwife will continue to provide you with postnatal care until 4 weeks postnatal. This will vary between home and clinic appointments at Kalamunda.