F11 Maternity Ward
F11 is the antenatal/postnatal ward where women are cared for after they have had their babies, but also if admission is needed before birth for pregnancy complications or induction of labour.
Services provided
We have 29 beds arranged in bays. A locker is provided to store personal belongings. We advise not to bring valuable items into hospital.
Examination of your newborn by a specially trained midwife or a paediatrician following birth is carried out within 72 hours of delivery.
The length of your stay in hospital will depend on how you and your baby progress, how confident you feel and the support you have available at home. Your midwife will discuss and plan this with you.
Our staff are committed to promoting and supporting breastfeeding. The maternity service has been awarded baby friendly initiative stage 3 in recognition of our support to women with their chosen method of feeding.
After your baby's delivery you have six weeks during which to register the birth. This should be done by visiting the Registrar of Births office in your local town.
Single rooms may be available at a statutory fee.
Visiting times
1 designated birth partner can visit from 8:30am - 10pm.
Antenatal women undergoing induction of labour and early labourers can continue to have 1 designated birthing partner stay with them 24 hours a day.
Postnatal inpatients can have 1 support person stay overnight for their first full night postnatally.
- If you have your baby before midnight, and are transferred to the ward before 4am, then this will count as your first full night
- If you have your baby after midnight, the midwife will review your delivery history with you and discuss whether you wish for this to count as your first night, or to roll it to the following night.
Please see our overnight visitor's guide for our overnight visiting policy, facilities available and code of conduct.
Patients own children/step-children can visit between 2:30pm - 8pm. Additional visitors can visit during the following timeslots (2 visitors per slot):
'Additional visitors' are in addition to your own children and birthing partner but must be over 12 years old.
Please do not attend the maternity unit if you are unwell or have been unwell in the last 48 hours.
Patients will be offered regular hot drinks and meals, but unfortunately we are unable to offer support partners or visitors refreshments and therefore we advise that they bring their own food or can purchase refreshments from the café on the ground floor, the Friends of West Suffolk shop or WHSmith.
Location
Ward F11 is located on the first floor of the hospital, exit the lifts to the left and turn right. It is opposite the labour suite.
Razor views go here