Maternity and NICU

The Cayman Islands Hospital offers an array of maternity services that will make your birthing experience a unique and enjoyable memory. Our aim is to offer the highest standard of maternity care to all mothers and babies in the Cayman Islands by providing high quality antenatal, intranatal and postnatal services in a pleasant and safe environment.

Visiting hours on the maternity ward are from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m

Antenatal Care

Whilst you may choose to have your prenatal care managed by a private OBGYN (obstetrician & gynaecologist) or a midwife, the Cayman Islands Hospital does offer Parentcraft classes on an 8-week repeating cycle. The experienced staff from the Maternity, Women’s Health, Physiotherapy and Nutrition departments share their expertise to alleviate any new parents’ concerns. The classes take place every Monday evening from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the Hibiscus Conference Room located in the hospital. If you miss a class, you can attend it on the next rotation of the cycle.

The topics covered are:

• General health in pregnancy
• Nutrition in pregnancy
• Genetics and Physiotherapy
• Normal labour & delivery
• Alternate methods of delivery
• Immediate postnatal care
• Postnatal care at home
• Safety, immunisation and family planning
• Gross motor skills
• Speech language development
• Breastfeeding and dental care
• Introduction to infant CPR

Facilities

The Maternity Unit has facilities for both low-risk and high-risk mothers and babies. These services are comprised of antepartum care (before birth), labour and delivery, post-partum (after birth) and neonatal care. The Maternity Unit is equipped to manage normal births, twin births, breech, vacuum, forceps and caesarean section deliveries.

We are located on the ground floor of the Cayman Islands Hospital main building. We have thirteen beds for mothers and their newborn babies, one isolation room for a mother and baby, and three labour, delivery and recovery rooms. All rooms have ensuite bathroom facilities.

Even though the arrival of a newborn baby is ultimately a joyful experience, sometimes complications do occur. Fortunately, with other children’s hospitals more than an hour’s flight away, our Maternity Unit at the Cayman Islands Hospital has an excellent Neonatal Unit (NICU) for preterm and newborn medical issues. It is well-equipped to deal with the most common complications such as prematurity and respiratory distress syndrome as well as other medical conditions that may affect the health of the neonate.

Click here for our visitation policy.

Labour and Delivery

Our modern labour/delivery rooms have comfortable surroundings and are well-equipped to handle any complication that may arise. Our highly experienced staff engenders a compassionate environment in which expectant mothers are able to give birth with the least amount of stress possible.

Expectant mothers are encouraged to have their partner or birth-coach with them during labour and delivery. A nurse call system connects all rooms on the unit so that help is never far away.

Midwife Delivery

At the Cayman Islands Hospital, it is possible to opt for a midwife delivery through the Women’s Health Clinic. The expectant mother will receive expert care through a team of highly trained midwives who will manage the prenatal care, labour and birth. The department also has obstetricians and gynaecologists who are on call 24 hours a day should they be required.

The Women’s Health Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital is equipped with ultrasound machines, as is the Radiology Department, to monitor your baby’s health throughout the course of your pregnancy and delivery. Midwife delivery can be a cost-effective alternative when having a baby in the Cayman Islands whilst still receiving world class medical care.

Lactation, Postnatal and Postpartum Services

The midwives at the Women’s Health Clinic offer free postnatal care and home visits for HSA patients. As postnatal consultants they are fully qualified to help manage any concerns you may have and help with general newborn baby care. Crucial for some mothers, they can provide breastfeeding support after the birth of your child. 

They can also provide a comprehensive postpartum assessment once you are settled at home. The midwives will be able to check on your physical, social and psychological well-being and that of your newborn and make referrals for additional care where needed.

These services are also offered at the other HSA community health centres on-Island.

Women’s Health Clinic George Town Tel: (345) 244 2649 / 244 2710 / 244 2732
Bodden Town Health Clinic Tel: (345) 947 2299
East End Health Clinic Tel: (345) 947 7440
West Bay Health Clinic Tel: (345) 949 3439
North Side Health Clinic Tel: (345) 947 9525

Breastfeeding Support Group

In Grand Cayman there is also the Breastfeeding Support Group that offers help and advice to new mothers.  Each member of this group is a volunteer, knowledgeable in breastfeeding and many are lactation consultants. This group makes itself readily available in every district to those who need guidance and support, whether through a breastfeeding lesson or the rental or purchase of breastfeeding equipment. More information on this group can be found at the district clinics and the Maternity and Women’s Health units.