Limuru Cottage Hospital offers all services related to a maternity hospital. The Maternity department is a section within our hospital that concentrates on taking care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and after childbirth. It also takes care of the infants. In some cases, our maternity hospital can also be used as a training school for midwifery and obstetrics.
We offer Maternity services in both our Maternity Annex and Kentmere Annex branches. These branches are fully staffed with midwives and obstetrics as well as equipment like the foetal Doppler sonography and cardiotocography modern machines needed to monitor the state of your unborn child during labour.
This means we are well equipped for normal delivery, minor surgeries and caesarean section deliveries and in the event that a child is born sick, we have enough incubators in our newborn unit to take care of them.
Below is more information about our maternity hospital services;
Table of Contents
- Our approach
- Maternity Services
- Antenatal Clinic
- Antenatal classes
- Delivery
- Immunization clinic
- Neonatal ICU
- Sonar scans
- Water births
- Postnatal clinic
- Maternity Ward
- Roles of Maternity ward nurses
- Maternity Clothes
- Frequently Asked Questions Maternity Hospital Services
- What is the function of a maternity hospital?
- What happens in the labour room?
- What are pregnancy doctors called?
- What does Antenatal clinic mean?
- What is the best time to start the Antenatal clinic?
- What is the importance of an Antenatal clinic?
- What is the meaning of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit?
- Why are newborns kept in NICU?
- How long do babies stay in NICU?
- Why is an ultrasound done in a pregnancy?
- How accurate is a Sonar scan?
- Does a water birth hurt less?
- What does postnatal care mean?
- What is the importance of a postnatal clinic?
- When should one start a postnatal clinic?
- What is done in postnatal care?
- What is a maternity room?
- What is the difference between labour and delivery?
- What is a maternity ward?
- Why is it important to wear maternity clothes?
- When should one start wearing maternity clothes?
- What should you not wear while pregnant?
Our approach
In our maternity hospital, our midwives and obstetricians are always on stand by to swiftly respond to any questions and complications that may arise. They will also advise and help develop a suitable delivery plan, and on the delivery day, they will ensure that our maternity wards are equipped with adequate labour, delivery, and post-natal beds.
Maternity Services
These are services given to women and their families throughout their pregnancy, during labour and childbirth, and after birth (also known as postnatal care) up to about six weeks after birth. This also means keeping a track of the health of the mother and that of the child, offering health education to the pregnant women and their spouses to help them during the pregnancy, during and after childbirth.
At Limuru Cottage Hospital Maternity Hospital, our aim is to provide the best care while ensuring total comfort and safety for both the mother and the child, with the help of modern equipment at all our branches. We have a team of maternity care specialists who include; midwives, nurses, obstetricians, paediatricians, and anaesthetists who are mandated with offering comprehensive medical care for you, your unborn child, and your family throughout the pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Maternity services include;
Antenatal Clinic
Also known as a Prenatal clinic, this is a clinic in the Maternity Hospital where preventive care is given to pregnant women by a midwife or obstetrician to protect them and their unborn children throughout the pregnancy, before and during birth.
The Antenatal clinic at Limuru Cottage Hospital provides extensive monitoring of your health and that of your unborn child from the first Antenatal visit where some regular medical checkups are conducted, like blood pressure to prevent pre-eclampsia, blood tests to check for anaemia or any sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urine test to check for a urinary tract infection, immunization against tetanus, as well as provision of micro-nutrient supplements while advising women on the precautions to take to sustain a healthy pregnancy.
Antenatal classes
Our maternity hospital offers a number of classes which include Lamaze classes by our highly trained Lamaze teachers. Lamaze is basically a method for controlled breathing techniques as well as some comfort strategies that can come in handy during labour. Breastfeeding lessons are also offered especially for first-time mothers.
Delivery
We offer different delivery options like; natural unassisted childbirth, assisted childbirth, and delivery by caesarean section (C-section) which is done by a team of highly trained medical professionals who ensure utmost safety while at it.
We also have various pain relief options available like; injections, tablets, gas, oxygen, and on-demand epidural which will be recommended by your midwife or obstetrician.
Immunization clinic
This is where we conduct both the maternal and neonatal immunizations to mothers before pregnancy, during pregnancy and during the post-partum period to protect both the mother and the child/children. This is especially because neonates and infants are prone to infections with vaccine-preventable diseases as their underdeveloped immune systems cannot produce protective immune responses to certain vaccine antigens until a few months after they’re born.
Neonatal ICU
Also known as the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), this is a nursery in the maternity hospital where children born with life-threatening conditions or prematurely are put for intensive medical care. Our neonatal unit is well equipped with specialised health care providers and equipment to provide the best round – the clock care to the babies.
Sonar scans
Also known as ultrasound scans, these are scans done at the maternity hospital to build an image of the unborn child using sound waves. They are harmless and can be done at any stage of the pregnancy to determine the estimated day of delivery (EDD), growth of the baby(size), sex of the baby or check for any abnormalities in the developing baby.
Our maternity hospitals across our branches are fully staffed with sonographers and modern ultrasound machines to perform the scans with utmost care and professionalism.
Water births
This is where you are submerged in water during labour, birth or both in an inflatable tub filled with water and you’ll birth your baby in the water with the help of a midwife or doctor. Usually done at the hospital, at a birthing centre or at home, Water births are believed to reduce the duration of labour as well as lower the chances of the need for caesarean sections in women.
We currently don’t offer water birth services at Limuru Cottage Hospital, but plans are underway to introduce the service soon. Our midwives are currently undergoing intensive training in the provision of water birth services.
Postnatal clinic
This is the medical care accorded to a mother and their newborn after birth until they are six weeks old. Postnatal care prevents most maternal and child deaths, as well as long-term complications as the care given during this period, helps health care professionals to detect post-delivery problems and give timely management and treatment.
Our nurses and doctors at the postnatal clinics of the maternity hospitals in our branches understand that the first hours and days after birth are the riskiest for both the mother and child and are therefore committed to attending to you and your newborn in the most professional way.
The general postnatal services include;
- Assessment and case management and referrals for any identified risk conditions.
- Counselling and health education on exclusive breastfeeding and its importance.
- Counselling and health education and the danger signs to look out for and their management for both the mother and child.
Maternity Ward
Led by maternity ward nurses, this is a room or set of rooms in the maternity hospital that takes care of pregnant women during pregnancy and childbirth as well as their newborn babies. Also referred to as the “Perinatal ward”.
Our maternity wards in the maternity hospital have delivery rooms (rooms where babies are born), that are equipped with beds, easy chairs, and mats so you can move about in labour and change positions. We also have showers, so you feel comfortable in the room you’re giving birth.
Roles of Maternity ward nurses
The maternity ward nurses at our maternity wards across our branches ensure high-quality maternity services to all patients by the provision of effective nursing services in the labour ward, antenatal clinic, postnatal clinic, and newborn unit which include;
- They provide nursing care to pregnant women and after childbirth in the maternity wards.
- They manage pregnant women throughout their pregnancy journey.
- Detecting labour symptoms in women in the maternity ward and offering necessary nursing care.
- They check cervix dilation and count contractions to detect pregnancy in women.
- Monitoring vital signs like blood pressure and pulse rate in pregnant women.
- Checking baby’s condition while in labour using a fetal monitor of Doppler.
- Ensuring comfort to nursing mothers and babies while executing maternity nurse functions.
- Assisting and supporting obstetricians in treating newborn babies if they are ill.
- Assisting and supporting gynaecologists or consulting physicians in treating pregnant women.
- Effective monitoring and evaluation of patients admitted to the maternity ward.
- Counselling and preparing mothers for labour, childbirth and post-partum.
- Monitoring and managing pregnant mothers in labour and childbirth.
- Assisting in performing deliveries if need be.
- Educating and supporting mothers in breastfeeding and caring for the newborn.
- Following thorough investigations and procedures ordered by doctors during ward rounds.
- Covering the maternity hospital as required during the day and night.
- Professionally and timely preparing and presenting regular nursing reports.
Maternity Clothes
Most women switch to maternity clothes when they are about 6 months pregnant. These are clothes worn by pregnant women that accommodate for the changes in body size that occur during pregnancy.
Some of the maternity clothes recommended are;
Maternity dresses
These are dresses that are expertly tailored to fit and flatter throughout the pregnancy and even nursing after childbirth, they are mostly loose to give room for the growing body size, mostly made of stretchy fabric like spandex hence comfortable.
Maxi dresses in an airy fabric with beautiful colours and patterns are always a great choice.
Maternity bra
It is recommended to wear a maternity bra during pregnancy especially for women with larger breasts as they are more comfortable. About 16 weeks into pregnancy is the best time to invest in a maternity bra as the breasts are done making milk at this time.
A professionally fitted maternity bra is recommended as it will give a good fit as well as good support making you more comfortable.
Comfortable underwear
Soft cotton or bamboo material underwear is recommended as it is less sweaty and hence comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions Maternity Hospital Services
What is the function of a maternity hospital?
It is a section of the main hospital that takes care of women during pregnancy, and childbirth, and also takes care of newborn infants.
What happens in the labour room?
A nurse, midwife, or obstetrician will check your labour and your baby’s heart rate continuously until you are ready to deliver the baby.
What are pregnancy doctors called?
Pregnancy doctors are called Obstetricians, (OB). These are doctors who are specially trained in women’s health and pregnancy, where they care for women during pregnancy, labour, and delivering their babies.
What does Antenatal clinic mean?
This is a clinic in the Maternity Hospital where preventive care is given to pregnant women by a midwife or obstetrician to protect them and their unborn children throughout the pregnancy, before and during birth.
What is the best time to start the Antenatal clinic?
It is recommended to start antenatal clinic when you suspect to be pregnant, or know that you are pregnant or even 6-8 weeks into the pregnancy.
What is the importance of an Antenatal clinic?
It is important to attend Antenatal clinics throughout the pregnancy for regular screening that can help detect and manage complications.
What is the meaning of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit?
This is a nursery in the maternity hospital where children born with life-threatening conditions or prematurely are put for intensive medical care.
Why are newborns kept in NICU?
Since some newborns are born preterm, they are often unable to control their body temperature and suffer excessive weight loss, and other complications, they are kept in an isolated or incubator in a NICU unit, which provides them with a stable environment for growth.
How long do babies stay in NICU?
How long babies stay in the NICU depends on the extent of their sickness.
Why is an ultrasound done in a pregnancy?
Done at the maternity hospital to build an image of the unborn child using sound waves. They are harmless and can be done at any stage of the pregnancy to determine the estimated day of delivery (EDD), growth of the baby(size), sex of the baby or check for any abnormalities in the developing baby.
How accurate is a Sonar scan?
The ultrasound scan is not a hundred per cent accurate but it is non-invasive and painless thus not harmful for both the mother and the child.
Does a water birth hurt less?
It is more relaxing but not necessarily less painful.
What does postnatal care mean?
It is the medical care given to a mother and her newborn up until six weeks.
What is the importance of a postnatal clinic?
The main reason why postnatal care should be given is to prevent both maternal and neonatal deaths as well as other complications that might occur.
When should one start a postnatal clinic?
Preferably within 24 hours after delivery.
What is done in postnatal care?
Postnatal care involves getting proper rest, nutrition, and vaginal care for the mother.
What is a maternity room?
It is a comfortable hospital room where both labour and delivery occur and where the baby remains during the hospital stay.
What is the difference between labour and delivery?
Labour refers to what a pregnant woman’s body goes through in preparation for giving birth, whole delivery is the actual birth of a baby.
What is a maternity ward?
This is a room or set of rooms in the maternity hospital that takes care of pregnant women during pregnancy and childbirth as well as their newborn babies
Why is it important to wear maternity clothes?
It is important to wear maternity clothes to reduce discomfort due to the changing body size and to make the overall experience of being pregnant easier.
When should one start wearing maternity clothes?
Usually around four or five months pregnant.
What should you not wear while pregnant?
Excessively tight clothes can restrict the blood flow to your growing bump and inhibit movement.