Delivery

Newcastle Private Hospital is a provider of extensive private hospital services to the region and with 189 beds it is the largest private hospital in Newcastle, conveniently located on the campus of the John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights.

Dr Holland delivers privately at Newcastle Private Hospital. As a no-gap doctor your delivery fee will be billed directly to your health fund, there will be no charge to you from Dr Holland. Accounts from other treating doctors are separate to Dr Hollands billing and may not be fully covered by your health fund or medicare. Please contact your treating doctors directly for estimates and their fees.
eADMISSION
WHAT TO TAKE TO HOSPITAL
AFTER BABY ARRIVES
FEEDING

NPH eADMISSION

Booking your delivery at Newcastle Private Hospital is now faster and easier than ever before. The e-Admission portal enables you to book online anytime, anywhere on any device.
WEBLINK
​To start your eAdmission click the patient login button below.
WHEN TO REGISTER
You are welcome to register online anytime after your first appointment with Dr Holland. Newcastle Private Hospital Maternity ask that you have your online admission form submitted before 20 weeks gestation.
BEFORE YOU START
Before getting started, please have these details ready:
  • Your eAdmission information card provided by your specialist
  • A contact email address and mobile phone number
  • Your current Medicare card, pension or pharmacy benefit card
  • Details of private health insurance, DVA or any other third party coverage
  • Personal and next of kin information
  • Your GP and referring doctor details
  • Current medications, both prescribed and supplementary. If you already have a list of your medications, you can upload this information before you submit your eAdmission.
NEED HELP?
Between 7:30am-4pm,
​Monday to Friday.
Replies between 7:30am-4pm,
​Monday to Friday.

What To Pack
1 / FOR MUM
  • Antenatal pregnancy record (blue form)
  • All current medication
  • Camera
  • Cash and change
  • Mobile phone and charger
  • Casual wear for daytime
  • Extra bag or two for transporting extra’s home
  • Footwear
  • Hair care products – hair ties, hair clips brush etc
  • Music and magazines- bring music that you like listening to on your device
  • Medicare card
  • Night wear
  • Notepaper and pen
  • Nursing supplies – maternity bra’s if choosing to breastfeed
  • Personal contact list
  • Pillow – bring your own pillow into hospital with a special pillow case
  • Toiletries – deodorant, shampoo, body wash etc.
  • Toothpaste and toothbrush for you and your support person
  • Three to four packets of maternity pads
  • Watch  
2 / FOR BABY
  • Baby clothes
  • Car seat installed in car for travel home
  • Nappies and wipes are supplied

Birth & Recovery

Your delivery and recovery is as unique as the baby that comes with it.  Dr Holland understands that each women will need unique care when it comes to the time directly after birth.
BIRTH
At Newcastle Private Hospital every new mum will have the opportunity to spend a few days in the maternity ward, with their partner, getting to know their new little person. While you are there you will have access to midwife support, lactation specialists and of course Dr Holland.
HEADING HOME
Once you bravely take your new baby out into the real world and into your home you may feel a variety of emotions.   Vulnerability, fully alive, overwhelmed, happy and/or sad.  You are all still getting to know each other and becoming a family or adjusting to another family member.  This is such a new and special time so we encourage you to enjoy every moment.
POST BIRTH CARE
Six weeks after the birth Dr Holland would like to see you for a post natal visit in his rooms.  This appointment is to check mum's health and recovery after birth.  Ongoing contraception will often be talked about during this appointment as well.  Although the appointment is for mum, you are more than welcome to bring bub along as we love meeting the newest members of your family.  ​
CAESARIAN SECTION RECOVERY
If you have stitches, they are usually reabsorbable sutures, meaning they are absorbed by the body and do not need to be removed.  Keep your wound clean and dry.  Wear loose clothing and look for signs of infection (such as redness, pain, swelling of the wound or bad-smelling discharge).  If you experience any of these symptoms please report them to the doctor or midwife.

The incision will heal over the next few weeks.  During this time, there may be mild cramping, light bleeding or vaginal discharge, as well as pain and numbness in the skin around the incision site.  Most women will feel well by six weeks postpartum, but numbness around the incision and occasional aches and pains can last for several months.

Looking after a new baby is hard for all women, but it can be harder when you are recovering from a Caesarean section. Be kind to yourself. It may take a few weeks or even longer to recover, particularly if you have had complications.  Get as much rest as you can.  If you feel that you need extra help and support, ask family or friends to help.  Do not lift any weight that is heavier than your baby.  Be careful of your back when you lift and don’t lift anything that causes you pain.  You should not drive a car until you have fully recovered and your wound has healed.  This may take up to 6 weeks.  Your obstetrician can provide advice about when it is safe to drive again.  Avoid sex until you feel comfortable.  After birth of any kind it is quite normal to take weeks, even months, before you are ready to have sex.
BLEEDING POST BIRTH
Over the first few days after giving birth you will have some period like bleeding as your uterus returns to it's pre-pregnancy size.  Bleeding may start off heavy but should settle to a light flow within a few days.  If you find you are loosing blood in large clots you should speak to your midwife or doctor.  You may experience some cramping during breastfeeding as this triggers the uterus to contract.  If this is uncomfortable you can apply heat packs or take light pain medication such as paracetamol.

Feeding & Lactation

Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things a woman can do, yet most women need help getting started.  Many women are unprepared for the physical and emotional rigours of first-time breastfeeding, even though they may be committed to it.  Deciding to breastfeed is an undertaking that requires a certain level of commitment and determination, and it can be a difficult endeavour if you don’t have positive support from those around you, especially during the learning period.  Don’t be afraid to ask for all the assistance you need during the early weeks of nursing—information, support, and practical help are the keys to success.
Because most new mothers are on their own within a few short days of giving birth, often without any help or support at all, they tend to give up in the face of even the smallest challenges.  And although the physical challenges of breastfeeding may be difficult, it is often the emotional ones that prove more powerful in a woman’s decision to discontinue breastfeeding.  Having a realistic idea of how intense breastfeeding can be during the first few weeks and knowing what to expect may help prepare you for an easier transition.
It is important to understand that breastfeeding is a lifestyle choice and it requires a major readjustment of expectations, especially for those women who thrive on structure and schedules.  In the beginning, breastfeeding babies wake and feed more often than formula-fed infants, and their schedules can be very unpredictable.  But in the long run, it is well worth the effort—the more you put in, the more you get out.  Once breastfeeding is successfully established, you significantly decrease the chances of certain illnesses and medical conditions developing, and you are giving your newborn the healthiest possible beginning.
Although Mother Nature physically prepares all new mothers to breastfeed their babies, breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally.  Your baby was born with a natural sucking reflex, but the effort of satisfying his own hunger is something new.  Breastfeeding will be a learning experience for both of you.  In order to get off to a good start, it is important to be prepared before your baby arrives.  Just keep in mind that most breastfeeding difficulties occur during the first six weeks postpartum, while you and your baby are establishing your nursing pattern.  Being aware of what is normal and what to expect, learning how to identify and avoid potential problems, and knowing where to turn for help will enhance your breastfeeding success.  Your own determination, informed guidance from knowledgeable helpers, and encouragement and support from your loved ones can keep a problem from causing an early end to breastfeeding.  With prompt and proper attention the majority of difficulties can be easily remedied, and as the weeks go by,  you will become more relaxed and confident, and breastfeeding your baby will bring you a great amount of pride and pleasure.
Technique
Proper positioning and latch-on are two of the most important aspects of a successful breastfeeding relationship.  Once you have mastered positioning your baby correctly, and your baby has learned how to latch on properly, you’re on your way.  Just remember that some babies take longer than others to learn the skill of latching-on.  It’s a matter of trial and error and plenty of practice.  Eventually, like riding a bicycle, you will both know when it “feels right.”  It is important that you are relaxed and comfortable, and that your baby is in the mood for nursing. If your baby seems frantic or upset when he attempts to latch on your breast, calm and comfort him before trying again.  If you are still having difficulty upon leaving the hospital, contact a lactation specialist to arrange for an immediate home visit.
To achieve proper latch-on, get into a comfortable position so that you and your baby are tummy to tummy, and your baby’s mouth is level with your nipple. Tickle your baby’s lips with your nipple until his mouth opens wide, as in a yawn; then quickly pull him towards you while directing your nipple and areola into his mouth. Your baby is latched on well if his lips are flanged outward over your breast creating a good seal, and he has an inch to an inch-and-a-half of breast tissue in his mouth. The tip of his nose and chin should both be gently touching your breast.  As he opens wide and draws your breast into his mouth he elongates the breast tissue while positioning the nipple far back into his mouth—away from the friction of the tongue and gums. The movement of his lower jaw compresses the milk sinuses under the areola sending milk out through the tiny holes in the nipple and depositing it in the back of your baby’s mouth. You know your baby is latched-on properly if it does not hurt as your baby takes long drawing sucks and he can be heard swallowing.
When your baby does not draw enough of the areola into his mouth and sucks only on the nipple, he is not latched on properly.  Your baby’s tongue or gums will continually rub the sensitive skin of the nipple while sucking, and sore nipples will result. In addition, improper latch-on makes it extremely difficult for your baby to extract enough milk from your breast to get the nourishment he needs.  Reposition your baby and latch him on again.
More Information
Seek all the information you can about breastfeeding and parenting, but remember to trust your own instincts.  Nobody knows better than you what feels right and what is best for you and your baby. Your experience with breastfeeding may go smoothly and be wonderful right from the start.  Or it may take a few weeks for you and your baby to establish a comfortable nursing relationship.  In either case, your nursing experience will be as unique as your child, and your confidence in taking care of your newborn will grow as you become familiar with what is normal for your individual baby.  Just remember that the first six weeks postpartum is a critical period; it is the time to recover from pregnancy and childbirth, adjust to your new role as mother, and develop a healthy nursing relationship with your baby.  Be easy on yourself, eat nutritiously, rest when the opportunity arises, and take one day at a time.  Most importantly, remain flexible, as your newborn’s feeding, sleeping, waking, and elimination patterns may change from day to day as he develops and grows.  One of the most marvelous aspects of nursing your baby is that you will have precious memories for the rest of your life of how soft, warm, and wonderful your baby felt cradled in your arms and nestled against your breast, and how proud you felt watching your baby flourish on the nutritious milk that was created by your own body.
GETTING HELP
The Australian Breastfeeding Association
The Australian Breastfeeding Association provides mothers with practical mother-to-mother support and information, enabling them to establish and continue breastfeeding. Click on the link below to be taken to their website.
Milky Business
An online breastfeeding course that you can do from the comfort of your own home.