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

Main visitors

One person/birthing partner can remain at a patient's bedside from 8:30am - 10pm, this does not have to be the same person throughout.

Antenatal women undergoing induction of labour and early labourers can continue to have one birthing partner stay with them 24 hours a day.

Patient's own children/step-children can visit between 2:30pm - 8pm.

Additional visitors

Two additional visitors can visit during the following timeslots. These can also be swapped throughout the timeslots. These are in addition to a patient's birthing partner and own children, but must be over 12 years old.

• 2.30pm - 4pm
• 6.30pm - 8pm.

Overnight visiting 

Postnatal inpatients can have one support person stay overnight for their first full night postnatally.

• If you have your baby before midnight, 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.

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.