Antenatal and Postnatal Ward
Some women might need to come to the antenatal care ward before the birth of their baby. This can be due to problems arising with your pregnancy or for induction of labour.
After the birth of your baby, if you and your baby are both well and feeding is established, you might wish to go home within a few hours of birth. Should you or your baby need to stay in hospital, you will be transferred to our postnatal ward.
We will give you support to make help you to recover from the birth and make sure you are confident with feeding and looking after your baby before you go home.
Our antenatal/postnatal ward has 37 inpatient beds, four transitional care beds and four triage beds.
Information and about us
If you or your baby needs to stay in hospital, we will make sure you both receive the best possible care.
If your baby needs more specialist care, they might be transferred to our Neonatal Unit (NNU) or Transitional Care ward.
Our care does not stop once you leave hospital. You will have contact from a midwife from your community team the day after you come home from hospital. They will plan when you and your baby need to be seen next. We usually discharge you to the care of the Public Health Nursing Team (health visitors) when your baby is about ten days old.
All babies receive a newborn examination (NIPE check) by one of our specialist trained midwives after they are born. This might happen while you are staying with us on the ward or you can be offered an appointment to return for this check.
Contact us
To contact the ward, call 01392 406680, 01392 406684 or 01392 406688.
Visiting times are:
- 9am-8pm for partners (or one nominated person)
- 2.30pm-6.30pm for up to three visitors per woman (including partners)
Where to find us
RD&E Wonford, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW
Centre for Women's Health, Level 1
Supporting you
Women’s Health Counsellors are part of the team providing care in The Centre for Women’s Health. We offer emotional support for women accessing the services of Maternity.
Pregnancy referrals for counselling support include:-
Ante-natal decision-making when considering whether to:
- continue a pregnancy
- decide between choice of treatments or method of delivery
All pregnancy loss: stillbirth, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and termination. Patients need to contact the service:
- within 4 months of the loss or
- if required during a subsequent pregnancy
Contact 01392 406678 or rde-tr.cwhcounsellors@nhs.net
Maternity services also offer a debrief service to discuss your care during pregnancy and birth. This is called Birth Conversations and can be arranged by emailing rde-tr.birthconversations@nhs.net.
Patient information leaflets
We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.
We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.
Useful videos
We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.