OBSTETRIC DEPARTMENT (MATERNITY)

• Philosophy
• Aims
• Midwives Clinic
• Enrolment
• Antenatal care

The
obstetric department strives through innovation, guidance and care, to
develop and provide for women and the new-born, exemplary health services
which are responsive to the needs of the local and countrywide community
and in accordance with WHO policies.

Philosophy

1. Preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic services are integral part of primary, secondary and tertiary care.
2. The Department’s aims can best be served by the location of inter-related services on a single site.
3. Individuals have a right to participate in making informed decisions about their health care: and the right to receive optimum care, information, respect and support from staff.
4. Staff are the Department’s most valuable asset and deserve support and acknowledgement for their contribution.

Aims

1. To provide optimal health care services within the resources available.
2. To guide the way to the future through research, innovation, teaching and training.
3. To provide accurate, accessible health information to all our clients.
4. To establish a systematic process to evaluate and plan for changes.
5. To attract and retain suitably qualified staff and to provide appropriate training and development.
6. To make available expert, comprehensive advice to the Health Department of Kenya, hospitals, community services and agencies.

Midwives Clinic Nairobi Hospital
The Nairobi Hospital Midwives Clinic is a maternity care facility for healthy women who anticipate a normal
pregnancy and birth.

Staff are committed to providing optimal care during the childbearing experience. This care is based on
the belief that pregnancy, labour and birth are essential natural physiological
processes. The care provided for mother and baby during pregnancy, labour,
birth and postnatal period should reflect this attitude.

The
clinic encourages expectant families to be involved in planning and enjoying
the events of pregnancy and childbirth in a safe, personalised comfortable
setting. Women have the right to seek health care for themselves and the
baby, which enables childbearing to be a family experience. Each woman,
together with her family, is entitled to participate as the member of the
team determining the plan of care appropriate to her individual needs.
She shares responsibility with the staff for the ultimate goal of a healthy
mother, baby and family unit.

Births are conducted by midwives,
who are experienced and have special expertise in supporting normal childbirth,
as well in recognising complications and the need for medical consultation
and referral. A Doctor is available in case of any emergency complications.
Midwives are the primary care givers but also work in a team relationship
with a Medical Practitioner. All other services of Nairobi Hospital are
available if and when required.

Enrolment for the Midwives Clinic

• You may book your first antel-natal visit, which should be early in your pregnancy – between 12 to 20 weeks.
• At this visit examination must demonstrate expectation of a normal, healthy pregnancy.

Consent Form:
By going to the Midwives Clinic you
have given general agreement to care required during your pregnancy and
birth of your baby. If you or your baby develops a medical condition antenataly
or during labour which places either of you at risk then you will receive
medical care as part of this agreement . You will receive a form explaining
this in more detail, which will require a signature to confirm consent.

First Antenatal Visit:
At the first antenatal visit you will be seen by a midwife to confirm your eligibility for antenatal care
and birth .Be prepared to spend an hour on your first visit.

A 50% deposit must be paid when you come for your first Antenatal visit. A tour of the labour ward and
postnatal ward will be conducted on request.

Antenatal care:
Appointments are necessary for all visits in order to ensure adequate time for each family.
Please let us
know far in advance as possible if you need to cancel an appointment.
It is your responsibility to reschedule cancelled appointments To enable
us to keep waiting time for everybody to a minimum, please arrive on time
for your appointment. At each antenatal visit you will see a mid wife or
a doctor.

Number of Antenatal Visits:
The usual number of visits will be 6 to 8. However, you and your midwife will determine this.