Epworth Freemasons maternity guide

Epworth Freemasons is a private hospital in East Melbourne, run by Epworth HealthCare. Its maternity service has birth suites, a Special Care Nursery and a postnatal ward, and you choose your own obstetrician. In 2022, 2,638 babies were born here, according to Safer Care Victoria's performance indicators report. If you think you are in labour or are worried about your baby, call the Birth Suite on (03) 9418 8302. For other questions, call the maternity line on (03) 9418 8300.

Epworth Freemasons maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Private hospital
• Run by: Epworth HealthCare
• In labour: Call the Birth Suite on (03) 9418 8302
• Pregnancy care options: Private obstetrician accredited at Epworth, or self-funded care
• Birth suites: Nine, with two caesarean theatres
• Nursery: Special Care Nursery for babies from 32 weeks

Where is Epworth Freemasons maternity in East Melbourne, and how do I contact it?

• Address: Epworth Freemasons has maternity wards at two East Melbourne sites: 320 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002, and 109 Albert Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002. Check with your obstetrician or the Birth Suite which site to come to.
• Birth Suite: (03) 9418 8302. You can contact the Birth Suite at any time of the day or night if you have concerns about your health or your baby.
• Maternity line: (03) 9418 8300. Press 1 for the Maternity Concierge, 2 for bookings, 3 for pre-admission, 4 for childbirth education and 5 for the Birth Suite. Opening hours are not published.
• Special Care Nursery: (03) 9418 8308
• Victoria Parade site: (03) 9418 8188
• Albert Street site: (03) 9483 3833. Your partner or support person can stay on the ward with you at either site.
• Emergency: call 000.

How do I book in at Epworth Freemasons to have my baby?

You need an obstetrician who is accredited at Epworth. Epworth suggests you book as early as you can to get the obstetrician you want.

1. Choose an Epworth obstetrician. Epworth has a list of doctors who work at Freemasons. Call their rooms to ask about their care and fees.
2. See your GP. Your GP confirms the pregnancy and refers you to your chosen obstetrician.
3. Make your first appointment. Tell the rooms you want to give birth at Epworth Freemasons. They arrange your hospital booking.
4. Complete the booking forms. Epworth sends you forms to finish your booking once the rooms have made it.
5. Book a class. Epworth suggests you book early in the second trimester and attend between 30 and 35 weeks.

What pregnancy care options does Epworth Freemasons offer?

• Private obstetrician care. Your obstetrician looks after you through pregnancy, birth and afterwards. Midwives, nurses, paediatricians and anaesthetists work with them.
• Self-funded care. You do not need private health insurance. This option is for people without insurance or with an overseas policy, and you pay the hospital admission directly. Doctors' fees are separate. Call (03) 9418 8300 and press 1 to speak to the Maternity Concierge.
• Childbirth classes. Labour, Birth and Baby, Caesarean Section and Birth Refresher classes run online on Zoom or in person at the hospital. Call (03) 9418 8314 or book on the Epworth website.
• Pregnancy and Birth Support phone call. You can book a private 30-minute phone call with a midwife before the birth.
• Park Hyatt Melbourne. If you qualify after the birth, you can spend your first days at the hotel with Epworth midwives supporting you. Your obstetrician must approve the transfer.

What are the Epworth Freemasons birth suites like?

The hospital has nine birth suites and two dedicated caesarean theatres. Each birth suite has a private ensuite, birthing equipment and a resuscitaire for your newborn. Up to two support people, including your partner, can be with you in labour. Only one support person can be in theatre for a caesarean. Children under 16 are not allowed in the Birth Suite or the operating theatre.

Can I tour Epworth Freemasons maternity?

Yes. Epworth runs in-person tours in small groups, and each tour takes about 30 minutes. Each booking covers you and one support person, and children cannot come. Choose a time in the booking summary on the tours page. If no time suits, call the Maternity Concierge on (03) 9418 8300 and press 1.

Does Epworth Freemasons have a special care nursery?

Yes. The Special Care Nursery is accredited to admit babies from 32 weeks of pregnancy. It cares for premature and ill babies who need close monitoring and medical support. A consultant paediatrician looks after each baby, and paediatricians are on call after hours and in emergencies. Parents can visit at any hour. Other visitors can come between 11am and 1pm and between 4pm and 7pm, with no more than two people at a cot. Children under 14 cannot visit the nursery.

How long will I stay at Epworth Freemasons after giving birth, and what are the visiting hours?

How long you stay depends on your recovery and medical needs, so ask your obstetrician or midwife what to expect. Epworth's self-funded package includes three nights after a vaginal birth and four nights after a caesarean. You have your own private room with an ensuite, and meals are cooked in the hospital kitchen. Your partner can stay overnight, and a room with a double bed depends on availability on the day your baby is born.

Friends and family can visit between 10am and 1pm and between 4pm and 7pm. Please do not visit if you have a cold, flu or any other illness.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Breastfeeding Clinic: at the Maternity Hub, Suite 116, Level 1, 320 Victoria Parade. Call (03) 9418 8310. It does not run on weekends, after hours or on public holidays. The first appointment is free for Epworth maternity patients.
• Pelvic health physiotherapy: Epworth lists this service for after the birth.
• Mobile Midwife videos: short videos on pregnancy and newborn care on the Epworth website.
• Maternal and Child Health Line: 13 22 29, a 24-hour line answered by maternal and child health nurses.
• NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 60 60 24, a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

For sleep, follow the Red Nose safe sleep recommendations from the first night home.

Other maternity hospitals near East Melbourne

• St Vincent's Private Hospital Fitzroy Private
• The Royal Women's Hospital Public
• Frances Perry House Private
• Mercy Hospital for Women Public
• Cabrini Hospital Malvern Private

See all Victorian birthing hospitals.

Epworth Freemasons maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against Epworth HealthCare on 21 October 2026. Services and contact details can change, so confirm with the hospital before you go. This page is general information and is not medical advice.