Welcome to the Maternity Unit at St Vincents & Mercy Private
Hospital. St Vincents Private has provided exceptional maternity
services to the people of Melbourne for over 60 years. Our
dedicated, professional and experienced midwives will make
your stay as comfortable as possible.
Our Obstetricians
Our obstetricians are renowned for their knowledge and skills in providing mother and baby with the best care. Frequent antenatal visits and post natal follow-ups ensure the provision of safe and holistic specialized medical care.
For a list of our obstetricians, please click here.
Modern Delivery Suites
The Delivery Suite comprises modern Delivery Rooms
all with ensuite facilities, telephone and television.
Your labour and delivery is a very special time and we
encourage you to discuss any individual preferences
with your Obstetrician. Our experienced midwives are
there to support you and your partner during this time.
For a virtual tour of one of our delivery suites, please click here.
Expert Care
Keeping you and your baby safe and comfortable is
our number one priority. St Vincents Private is proud of
the standards of safety and care that have been
established over more than 60 years of delivering
Melbourne’s babies.
Special Care Nursery
Our facilities include a state of the art Level 2 Special
Care Nursery for the care of unwell and premature babies.
The nursery has modern facilities and equipment and
is staffed by experienced midwives and neonatal nurses.
We also have an excellent Level 3 Adult Intensive Care
Unit. What this means is that both you and your infant
will receive the best level of care possible.
Accommodation
We offer spacious private rooms with a stylish, modern
interior, many with double beds. All of our rooms are
private rooms with ensuite, television, direct dial
telephone, refrigerator and infant bathing facilities.
Family Retreat Program
We also offer a Family Retreat Program at the Park Hyatt Melbourne. For more information, please click here.
Meals and Facilities
Our extensive menu prepared by qualified chefs offers
a wide choice of meals to accommodate all tastes,
including dietary and religious requests.
Preparation for Childbirth
St Vincents Private offers a full range of childbirth
education classes to prepare you and your partner for
childbirth and parenting. Partners and support people
are welcomed and encouraged to attend all education
sessions. For further details please refer to Childbirth
Education information.
Postnatal Education
Experienced midwives offer a high standard of nursing
care, education and support as you adjust to your new
role as parents and learn to care for your baby.
Lactation Support
We have a team of experienced midwives to assist you
with breast feeding your baby during your hospital stay.
Details of ongoing lactation support following
discharge will be supplied as required.
Liaison Midwife
The Liaison Midwife is available to discuss any concerns
you may experience and to answer any questions you
may have at any stage during your pregnancy.
Other services
• Physiotherapy
• Dieticians
• Pastoral Care
• Social Worker
• Baby photographer
• Onsite carparking
• Daily newspapers, magazines and mail delivery
• Pharmacy
• Coffee shop and kiosk
Students
We are all experienced Midwives at St Vincents Private
and it is important to share this knowledge with
Student Midwives. Many private hospitals have affiliations
with Universities, so during your stay you may be asked to have a Student Midwife
present with your allocated Midwife. We appreciate
your support for the future of Midwifery.
Admission
When your labour begins, please telephone the
Delivery Suite via the switchboard on (03) 9411 7111 and
discuss your situation with one of the Midwives.
You may also telephone the Delivery Suite at any time
with any queries or concerns you may have. On arrival
at the hospital, please confirm your details with staff at
Reception on the ground floor.
After 10.30pm, the front entry gates on Victoria Parade are locked for security
reasons. If you are arriving after that time, you will
need to use the intercom, which is located to the right
of the gates.
The Family Package
Our Family Package is designed as an early discharge program for you if you want to be home as soon as possible after the birth of your baby. When you choose the Family Package a plan of care will be discussed with you, with the aim of staying in hospital 2–3 nights and then discharged home with a selection of supportive care and services including domiciliary midwife visits. The option of early discharge will depend on your condition and that of your baby and in consultation with your treating doctor.
The Choices
The Family Package provides additional benefits for you and your baby. Our staff can organise a range of services that may include home cleaning, nappies or nappy wash service.
Nursing staff will discuss the Family Package with you and your family and assist you in determining what services most suit you.
What will it cost?
The Family Package is provided at no charge to you, provided you are discharged from hospital early. Most health funds now participate in the Family Package – you can check your eligibility with hospital staff.
Need more information?
If you have any questions or require further information about the Family Package, please contact the Maternity Bookings Centre on (03) 9411 7444
WHAT TO BRING TO HOSPITAL
For Mother:
- All current medications
- Private health insurance details
- Medicare card
- Blood group card
- Toiletries
- Night dresses, dressing gown, slippers
- Casual day wear
- Maternity bras
- Nursing pads
- 2 packets of maternity pads
- Hot/cold pack
- Hairdryer
For Baby:
- 6 bibs
- 6 bunny rugs
- 6 night gowns or jump suits
- nappy fasteners
- 6 singlets
- 4–6 plastic pants or pilchers
- mittens/blankets
- baby bonnet and booties
- matinee jacket/cardigan
- nappies (for going home)
*please label all clothes clearly with your name
*please remember to have an approved child restraint fitted into
your car prior to leaving hospital
*a nappy wash service is provided to you free of charge.
Rest Hour & Visiting Hours
While you are in hospital, we encourage you to rest as
much as possible. A rest hour is scheduled each day
between 11am–12noon. Relatives and friends are
asked to refrain from visiting you at this time and we
request that they adhere to the visiting hours of
2–4pm and 7–8pm.
Photographers
Videos and photos of your infant may be taken in
delivery suite, but not while the birth is in progress.
Video recorders are not permitted in the operating
theatre at any time. Photos of staff may be taken, but
only with their consent. Professional photographers
are available to take photos of your baby if required.
Your Time In Hospital
For a normal birth, you will usually spend between
3–4 nights in hospital, and for a caesarean section up
to 5 nights. This may vary depending on your general
well-being and that of your baby.
Nappy Wash Service
A nappy wash service is provided to all patients free
of charge.
Maternal and Child Health Nurse
It is recommended that you locate the Maternal & Child Health Nurse prior to the birth of your baby,
so you will be familiar with the services provided.
Emergency Maternal & Child
Health Nurse
After Hours (03) 9853 0944
Country Callers 088 134 883
Information
If you need more information about the Family Package
please contact the Liaison Midwife on (03) 9411 7172.
Important Contacts
If you are experiencing any problems after you have
left St Vincents Private either call your Obstetrician,
Paediatrician, GP or the following:
- St Vincents & Mercy Private Hospital (03) 9411 7111
- Australian Breastfeeding Association (03) 9885 0855
- Royal Children’s Hospital (03) 9345 5522
- Post & Antenatal Depression (03) 9882 5756
- Maternal Child Health Service 24 hour call service 13 22 29
