John Hunter Hospital maternity guide

John Hunter Hospital is a public hospital in New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, run by Hunter New England Local Health District. It has a Birth Suite, a Birth Centre and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for premature and sick newborns across northern New South Wales. If you think you are in labour, call the Birth Suite on (02) 4921 4350. For pregnancy appointments, call the Antenatal Clinic on (02) 4921 3600.

John Hunter Hospital maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public, referral hospital for the district's rural maternity units
• Run by: Hunter New England Local Health District
• In labour: Call the Birth Suite on (02) 4921 4350
• Pregnancy care options: Midwifery group practice, midwife clinics, GP shared care, obstetrician care
• Antenatal clinic: At the hospital, plus community clinics around Newcastle
• Birth suite: Birth Suite, and a Birth Centre for midwifery group practice
• Nursery: NICU and special care rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital
• Typical stay: Home from 4 to 6 hours after birth, or within a couple of days

Where is John Hunter Hospital maternity, and how do I contact it?

• Address: John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights NSW 2305
• Birth Suite: (02) 4921 4350
• Antenatal Clinic: (02) 4921 3600
• Maternity wards: K2 Ward (02) 4921 3970 and K3 Ward (02) 4921 4666
• Parenting education and Breastfeeding Clinic: (02) 4016 4595
• NICU reception: (02) 4921 4410
• Hospital switchboard: (02) 4921 3000
• In labour: call first, then go to the birth suite or maternity unit reception, where a midwife will meet you. The P2 car park is open 24 hours.

A new acute services building will hold birthing suites, maternity wards, a NICU and special care units. In July 2026, NSW Health said the building was expected to welcome patients later that year, so check where to go when you book in and again before your due date.

How do I book in to have my baby at John Hunter Hospital?

Public care starts with your GP. Your first hospital visit happens from 11 weeks, so see your GP early.

1. See your GP. At about 4 to 11 weeks, your GP confirms the pregnancy, orders blood tests and an ultrasound, and sends a referral to the hospital. You can also contact the maternity unit yourself.
2. Go to your IMAP visit. From 11 weeks, this first visit starts with a blood test and includes a midwife, an obstetrician and an ultrasound. Allow up to 2 hours.
3. Get your care plan. After the visit, you receive a pregnancy plan and a referral to your model of care.
4. Meet your ongoing provider. At 16 to 22 weeks, you see the midwife or doctor who will look after you, and you get a request form for your morphology scan at about 20 weeks.

What pregnancy care options does John Hunter Hospital offer?

• Midwifery group practice (MGP). A known midwife through pregnancy, birth and after the birth, for healthy women with normal risk. Hunter MGP women give birth in the JHH Birth Centre and get home visits for up to 5 days. Belmont MGP uses the Belmont Birthing Centre and offers public home birth in some areas.
• Shared care with your GP. Your GP cares for you with the hospital team. You visit the hospital at the start, and at 28 and 36 weeks.
• Specialist obstetric care. For pregnancies with complications, including the M3Team of obstetricians, specialists and midwives at the JHH Antenatal Clinic.
• Birra Li Aboriginal Maternal and Child Health Services. Culturally safe care for women having Aboriginal babies, until your baby is 8 weeks old. Call (02) 4016 4900, ideally before 16 weeks.
• Private obstetrician or private midwife. You can see a private obstetrician and give birth at the hospital. With a private midwife, a first hospital visit at 11 to 14 weeks is recommended.

NSW Health explains each option on its Pregnancy care options in NSW page.

Where is the John Hunter Hospital antenatal clinic?

The JHH Antenatal Clinic is at the hospital, on (02) 4921 3600. With a low-risk pregnancy, you may see a midwife at a community clinic instead: Newcastle (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), Belmont (Monday and Friday), Westlakes at Toronto (Tuesday), Tomaree (Tuesday) and Raymond Terrace (Friday). For pain, bleeding or severe vomiting up to 18 weeks, ask your doctor about a referral to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service.

What is the John Hunter Hospital birth suite like?

The Birth Suite has midwives caring for women in labour, and you can have up to 2 support people with you at any one time. Women in Hunter MGP can give birth in the JHH Birth Centre. Call the Birth Suite on (02) 4921 4350 straight away if you have bleeding, your waters break, you have contractions before 37 weeks, labour has started and you feel it is time to come in, or you have a booked caesarean and labour starts. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Does John Hunter Hospital have a NICU?

Yes. The NICU at John Hunter Children's Hospital has intensive care rooms and special care rooms. Babies in special care are usually more than 32 weeks gestation. Two parents can be at the cot side at a time, and a Ronald McDonald Family Room in the unit is open 24 hours. If you came from another hospital, staff arrange a transfer back when your baby is well enough. NICU reception is on (02) 4921 4410.

How long will I stay at John Hunter Hospital after giving birth?

You can choose to go home 4 to 6 hours after the birth, or within a couple of days, with the home midwifery service. Discharge from the postnatal ward is usually between 9am and 10am. Visiting is generally 8am to 8pm, with a rest period from 1pm to 3pm when visitors are restricted. Families from out of the area may be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House on the hospital grounds.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Midwife home visits: a midwife visits between 9.30am and 4pm to help with feeding, weighing, blood tests and your own check.
• Child and family health nurse: a free home visit soon after you leave hospital.
• Breastfeeding Clinic: (02) 4016 4595.
• Your GP: see your GP with your baby within 2 weeks of the birth.
• Parent help lines: Karitane Careline 1300 227 464 and Tresillian Parents Help Line 1300 272 736.
• healthdirect: 24 hour health advice on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

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

Other maternity hospitals near Newcastle

• Newcastle Private Hospital Private
• Maitland Hospital Public
• Gosford Hospital Public
• Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Public
• Sydney Adventist Hospital Private
• Port Macquarie Base Hospital Public
• Tamworth Hospital Public

See all New South Wales birthing hospitals.

John Hunter Hospital maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against Hunter New England Local Health District 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.