One of Melbourne's favourite maternity hospitals is providing even more choice and support for new mums with the opening of its dedicated Maternity Care Centre in February 2021.
The Frances Perry House Maternity Care Centre is an outpatient service which aims to extend its support to women during their pregnancy, birth and postnatal journeys.
At the Maternity Care Centre, located opposite Frances Perry House in Parkville, Victoria, women will be able to access the Know My Midwife program, antenatal care and breastfeeding advice. In the coming months, mental health support will also be offered in partnership with Gidget Foundation Australia.
Frances Perry House Chief Executive Officer Shaune Gillespie said it was wonderful to expand the hospital's outpatient service to provide women with the very best support and care.
"Becoming a parent is such an exciting and wonderful time in a person's life but it can also raise so many questions. We're thrilled to open the Maternity Care Centre so that women can feel empowered, informed and reassured from the moment they meet with our midwives right through to six weeks after birth," Mr Gillespie said.
The Know My Midwife program will give women the very best in Midwifery Continuity of Care by allowing them to form that special relationship with their midwife in the lead up to birth.
The Maternity Care Centre will also offer the opportunity for women to have a 90-minute private consultation with dedicated lactation consultants if they need breastfeeding support plus a 60-minute consultation for antenatal care.
Mr Gillespie said women would face no out-of-pocket expenses for many of the services at the Maternity Care Centre.
"It's really exciting to offer the Know My Midwife program and antenatal appointments through Medicare, only the breastfeeding support service attracts an out-of-pocket expense of $75.00 per consultation," Mr Gillespie said.
Frances Perry House is a fully accredited obstetric and surgical hospital, with 93 beds, a special care nursery, birthing suites, operating theatres, a surgery unit and a dedicated postnatal unit.
Consultations at Frances Perry House Maternity Care Centre can be made online through HotDocs or phone (03) 9326 5947
