Royal Hospital for Women celebrates 250th homebirth

The Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick, has marked a significant milestone in its pioneering homebirth program, celebrating the 250th baby born at home under the care of its dedicated midwifery team.

Rona and Sam welcomed baby Piper at their home in Maroubra at 1.44am on Tuesday 7 October.

Launched in 2018, the publicly funded homebirth program offers women with low-risk pregnancies the opportunity to labour and birth in the familiarity of their own home, supported by experienced and trusted midwives.

The program has grown steadily in popularity, with families embracing the option of a safe, supported, and empowering birth experience that often involves the whole family. The popularity of the program reflects the trust families place in the hospital’s team.

To be eligible for the Royal Hospital for Women’s homebirth program, women must have an uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy and live within the hospital’s catchment area.

The Royal Hospital for Women program is one of four publicly funded homebirth programs in Sydney, and one of 17 hospital programs nationally. Many families also engage the services of a privately practising endorsed midwife to support birth at home.

Donna Garland, General Manager, Royal Hospital for Women, said the hospital was proud to have reached 250 births at home.

“Each birth is a deeply personal and transformative experience. Our homebirth program honours that by supporting women’s choice to birth in a familiar, supported environment that they control,” said Ms Garland.

“For each midwife it is truly an honour to be invited to share such a sacred and intimate space with a family, and to welcome the new member of the family”.