Our St Mary’s Ward offers compassionate maternity care from experienced midwives, nurses and caregivers in our modern hospital, right in the heart of Perth’s southern suburbs.
Maternity options
At St John of God Murdoch Hospital, we offer different options of maternity care to suit your needs.
Private maternity care
This option is available to patients with gold level private health insurance coverage.
When you choose your own private obstetrician, you build an ongoing relationship with a specialist who supports you throughout your pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period.
Your obstetrician will attend the birth of your baby and care for you during your stay at St John of God Murdoch Hospital. They will understand your birthing preferences and be the medical lead for your baby’s arrival into the world.
During your pregnancy, you will typically see your obstetrician:
- monthly until around 28 weeks
- every two weeks, until 36 weeks
- weekly until your baby is born
Your private health insurance will cover most hospital fees and any out-of-pocket costs will depend on your obstetrician. Please call your obstetrician’s rooms for more information.
Self-funded maternity care
Access private maternity care without private health insurance by self-funding your maternity experience.
Many choose this option if they do not have private health insurance or if their level of cover does not fund their desired maternity experience.
Murdoch obstetricians
Your birth experience at St John of God Murdoch Hospital
Feeling informed and supported during birth is important. We encourage you to discuss your preferences and birth plans with your obstetrician so you can make decisions with confidence.
Our experienced midwives will support and advocate for you throughout labour and birth, ensuring you feel cared for every step of the way.
Birth plans
Birth plans are a great way to start thinking about what sort of birth you want to have and discover what options are available to you.
Discuss your birth plan with your obstetrician so they can guide you through what is safe and appropriate for your individual circumstances, including any contingencies. Our midwives can help you make these decisions during parent education classes, where they explain the options available and answer any questions you may have.
Our birthing suites
We have 6 dedicated birthing suites fully equipped to assist you to deliver your baby.
Each private suite includes:
- a bed
- private bathroom
- comfortable seating
- facilities to care for your newborn
- all necessary clinical equipment.
Our dedicated Birthing Suite Coordinator is also onsite to ensure your admission and care run smoothly.
Our birthing suites are located on the same floor as our St Mary’s Ward, where you will stay following the birth of your baby.
When birth plans change
Sometimes birth does not go exactly as planned. In some situations, a vaginal birth may not be possible for medical reasons and a caesarean section (c-section) may be recommended.
Both vaginal and c-section methods of birth carry potential risks and complications. Your obstetrician will guide you through these options and help you choose the safest approach for you and your baby.
We regularly perform emergency c-sections in our theatre suite which is available 24 hours a day, so you can feel reassured you are in safe hands if anything changes unexpectedly.
Elective caesarean and induction
Some parents choose a planned caesarean birth. This may be for maternal choice, age, past birthing complications, trauma or other medical reasons.
Planned induction is another birth option that your obstetrician may discuss with you.
At St John of God Murdoch Hospital, our midwives and obstetricians encourage you to be actively involved in your health care decisions and work with you when contingencies are required.
Vaginal birth after caesarean
Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) refers to having a vaginal birth in any pregnancy following a c-section. Many patients have successfully had a VBAC in our hospital. Please discuss this option with your obstetrician to see if a VBAC is right for you.
Your birth experience is one you'll remember forever. Whether you are planning a vaginal, induction or caesarean birth, our midwives and obstetricians will work with you to ensure the safest possible outcome for your new family.
Enquire about our maternity services
Planning to grow your family or recently found out you’re pregnant? Ask us about our maternity services or request a tour of our maternity ward. One of our caregivers will be in touch to help with your enquiry.