Maternity Assessment Unit

Our Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU) is a midwifery led service which provides assessment and monitoring services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people who:

• are greater than 19+6 weeks pregnant, or
• have issues related to a recent (within the last 14 days) birth.

About this service

We are a ‘walk in’ outpatient service. We provide planned and unplanned assessment services to you if you are in the second half of your pregnancy or in the first two weeks after giving birth.

Services include, but are not limited to:

• assessing maternal and fetal wellbeing in the antenatal period (during pregnancy)
• assessing maternal and fetal wellbeing in early labour, and
• assessing maternal and newborn wellbeing in the postnatal (after birth) period.

If you are eligible and need maternity assessment and monitoring in pregnancy or after birth you do not need to go to the emergency department. You can go directly to the Maternity Assessment Unit.

Who we care for

You can use this service if:

• you have birthed at Centenary Hospital for Women and Children within the last 14 days
• your baby or babies are receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN)
• you have recently given birth and are receiving care through the Midcall midwives or continuity midwives.
• you are booked to give birth at Centenary Hospital for Women and Children and require assessment and/or additional monitoring from 20 weeks’ gestation.
• You have been referred by the emergency department.

How to access this service

You can self-refer to this service or be referred by a health professional.

It’s best to call first on (02) 5124 7444 and speak to one of our midwives to initially assess your situation and to give you advice, which may include coming to the Maternity Assessment Unit. The Maternity Assessment Unit is open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week.

If you are booked to birth through the continuity midwife program, please contact your continuity midwife to discuss your concerns. Your continuity midwife will advise and may ask you to present to the Maternity Assessment Unit.

If you have recently given birth, your midwife will assess you when they visit you at home. If you require follow-up care from the Maternity Assessment Unit they will arrange it.

What to expect

When you come to see us, we will do a comprehensive assessment, including your medical and obstetric history and any new symptoms or concerns.

We’ll also clinically assess you and your baby’s wellbeing.

After this you may be treated or referred for further tests or follow-up. You may readmitted to hospital or discharged with a clear follow-up plan.

What to bring to your appointment

• Medicare card
• Any letters or correspondence from your GP
• Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
• Private health insurance card (if applicable/if you want to use it)
• List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
• Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
• Your child’s personal health record (Blue Book)
• Antenatal handheld record

Where we’re located