Your maternity experience at St John of God Geelong Hospital
Every pregnancy is different, which is why our maternity care is tailored to you, your baby and your family. Our leading obstetricians, specialist nurses, midwives, anaesthetists and parent educators are here to support you throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. You will also enjoy professional, compassionate care in modern, spacious surroundings designed to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
When you choose St John of God Geelong Hospital for your maternity care, you are giving your baby an exceptional start to life. Our maternity and neonatal facilities are some of the finest in the state and we offer comprehensive parent education to give you everything you need as a new parent.
Your birth choices
We help you make informed choices about how you will have your baby and support your birth preferences where clinically appropriate.
We cater for a wide range of birth plans, including:
- spontaneous labour and low-intervention birth
- induction of labour
- caesarean birth, including the option of maternal assisted Caesarean birth
- spacious birth suite rooms with access to a shower and bath for water immersion during labour.
Your choice of private obstetrician
Choosing your own private obstetrician gives you continuity of care throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.
You will see your obstetrician in their private consulting rooms and have the confidence of being supported by someone who knows you and your preferences.
Your obstetrician attends the birth of your baby, provides care during your stay at St John of God Geelong Hospital, and provides postnatal follow up appointments after you go home.
Private health insurance will cover most of your hospital costs. Any out-of-pocket fees will depend on your chosen obstetrician. For more information, please call your obstetrician’s practice for an outline of their costs.
Leading private obstetricians in Geelong
Our obstetricians are leaders in their field and choose to work at St John of God Geelong Hospital knowing you receive the highest standard of care before, during and after your stay.
Geelong obstetricians
Midwife support
Registered patients are welcome to contact our maternity unit with pregnancy-related concerns or questions.
A registered midwife will assess your situation and refer you to the most appropriate service.
If you have any concerns related to your pregnancy, please contact us.
Women's Health Unit: 03 5226 8866
Birthing Suite: 03 5226 8876
Special care nursery
Our special care nursery is classified as a level 4 nursery: a specialised care nursery (SCN) or "high dependency" neonatal unit, typically caring for premature or sick babies from 32 weeks gestation onwards.
It is equipped and staffed to provide the specialised care needed for babies, unless full ventilation or urgent surgery is required. If intensive care is needed, all Geelong born babies are transferred to a level 6 nursery in Melbourne, where more specialised caregivers and equipment are available to provide prolonged ventilator support.
If transfer is required to a level 6 unit, we will contact the Neonatal Emergency Transport Service to carry out the transfer, usually by road transport. Family ambulance cover is required for this service, and the cost is the same as a normal ambulance transfer.
Should your baby be admitted to our special care nursery, you will be kept well informed regarding their progress. Feel free to discuss any concerns you may have with our midwives as we recognise that parental involvement is a major part of your baby’s care and we encourage parents or a support person to visit at any time and participate as much as possible.
Others may visit your baby in the special care nursery but are limited to 2 visitors at a time. We ask that no children are permitted in the nursery and no visitors are permitted into the special care nursery during nursing handover. The doors are locked for safety, security and confidentiality, but there is a doorbell you can use to contact our caregivers.
Postnatal care at home
Experienced midwives and certified lactation consultants from St John of God Healthcare at Home can visit you at home to give you the support you need to settle in with your little one.
Room service dining in hospital
We know that while you are in hospital, meals are an important part of your stay and recovery. Our room service menu is available to our maternity patients, and partners or support persons are welcome to purchase from the menu when staying overnight in the maternity ward.
Room service menu
Find out more about our maternity services
Thinking of starting a family or having another baby? Or maybe you have just found out that you are pregnant. Enquire about our maternity services or maternity ward tours using the form below.