Maternity Services

Antenatal Care

Congratulations!  Pregnancy is a very exciting time for you and your loved ones and we look forward to sharing this journey with you.  We are the world's longest running provider of antenatal care and have been providing outstanding care for over 100 years.

Whilst most women have pregnancies that are straightforward and low risk we have a range of options for your pregnancy care that cater for all women and their individual pregnancies.

Prior to attending your first visit at the Hospital please ensure you have visited a general practitioner to:

• Have your pregnancy confirmed
• Complete a Hospital referral letter
• Have the routine antenatal blood tests performed
• Discuss genetic screening options

Your hospital booking appointment will usually be when you are about 14 weeks pregnant.

TO BOOK THIS APPOINTMENT complete the ONLINE BOOKING FORM (no confirmation email will be received). We aim to contact you within 2-3 weeks. Please answer 'No caller ID'.

Complete the online booking form when you are 6 or more weeks pregnant

Click here to BOOK NOW

Additional information and resources for the pregnancy booking visit

If you have not heard from RHW after 3 weeks, call the Antenatal Outpatients Department on 9382 6048, or leave a voicemail on 9382 2606 and we will call you back. 

Please bring your GP Antenatal referral to your first hospital appointment and your ongoing results to subsequent appointments. 

Regardless of the model of care you choose Hospital doctors will always be available if complications or concerns arise regardless of which option of care is chosen.

Royal Hospital for Women promotes normal birth. The Hospital is accredited as a Baby Friendly Hospital committed to the promotion of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

We believe that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. Through the care we provide at Royal Hospital for Women we aim to promote a nurturing environment for women and their families focusing on healthy, positive experiences throughout pregnancy, birth and the early parenting journey. Each pregnancy is a unique experience and we are committed to providing care that is tailored to your individual needs.

 

Royal Hospital for Women promotes normal birth. The Hospital is accredited as a Baby Friendly Hospital committed to the promotion of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.

We believe that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. Through the care we provide at Royal Hospital for Women we aim to promote a nurturing environment for women and their families focussing on healthy, positive experiences throughout pregnancy, birth and the early parenting journey. Each pregnancy is a unique experience and we are committed to providing care that is tailored to your individual needs.

RHW offers various models of care, yoga classes and education programs:

• GP Shared Care
• Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS)
• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP)
• Private Obstetricians
• Malabar Community Midwifery Link Service
• Medical Complications of Pregnancy Clinic - Referral Required
• Medical Disorders in Pregnancy and High Risk Obstetric Clinics - Referral Required
• Diabetes Clinic
• Specialised Care / Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM)
• Twins Clinic - Referral Required
• Breech Clinic - Referral Required
• Preterm Birth Prevention Clinic - Referral Required
• Childbirth, Parenthood and Women’s Health Programs

The Royal Hospital for Women (RHW) Health Education Centre offers a range of programs to support women and their partners as they prepare for childbirth and parenting, as well as educational programs for girls.

Visit the Childbirth, Parenthood and Women's Health Programs page for or a complete list of classes. 

 

Antenatal Inpatient Services offers antenatal care for women requiring obstetric care and postnatal care for mothers and babies.

The most common reasons a pregnant woman may need to be hospitalised are:

• High blood pressure, including pre-eclampsia
• Bleeding
• Rupture of the membranes, well before the due date
• Threatened premature labour
• Women requiring an Induction of Labour; this process is begun on the Antenatal Ward
• Women who have experienced pregnancy loss may also be admitted to this ward for postnatal care.

Specialised Care / Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM)

- The Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) provides an integrated multidisciplinary service for women experiencing a “high risk” pregnancy.

For more information, see the Antenatal Inpatient Services page.

• Location

You will find Birth Unit on Level 1 of the Royal Hospital for Women. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can find Birth Unit, by heading to The Royal Hospital for Women, take the lifts (across from the admissions desk) to level 1 and follow the signs to Birth unit.

• Visiting hours

Birth unit does not have visiting hours as women labour any hour of the day and night. Support people are chosen by you, and we respect your decisions.

• Maternity Triage Assessment Unit

The Maternity Triage service is within Birth unit and available for assessment and management of pregnancy concerns after 20 weeks gestation or for women who have already birthed requiring more intensive care or follow up.

• Pre-labour, premature rupture of membranes
• Ruptured membranes at term
• Decreased fetal movements
• Early labour
• Abdominal pain
• PV bleeding
• Perineal and or wound concerns

• When to call Birth unit

Before coming to the Birth Unit, please call 9382 6100 or 9382 6116. This helps us to plan for your care before you arrive. A midwife will answer your call and provide you with advice. Please call the Birth Unit for the following reasons:

• You are in labour or have questions about your labour
• You are bleeding (more than a show)
• Your baby’s movements have decreased/changed/stopped
• You don’t feel well

Please do not hesitate to ring if you have concerns.

For information, see the Labour and Birth page. 

• Parking

There is parking at The Royal Hospital for Women, with a cost involved. Women who come to Birth unit for pregnancy assessment and or labour and birth are eligible for parking concessions. During business hours (8am-8pm), present your yellow antenatal card to the Prince of Wales information desk to receive your concession ticket. After hours, head to B1 parking office. Midwives have and will complete your application form for the multi-day concession parking.

Time	Cost
0-3 hours	Free
3hours	$5.60
3-day concession parking	$11.30
7-day concession parking	$22.60

Information coming soon!

Free parking is available for up to 3 hours when you come to RHW for your antenatal and ultrasound appointments.

Bring your car parking ticket and completed yellow antenatal card to the Information Desk near LifeGrain café for validation and you can the exit the car park for free.