Katherine Hospital maternity guide

Katherine Hospital is the public hospital in Katherine, run by NT Health. Its maternity ward cares for women with normal-risk pregnancies and normal births, and has eight inpatient beds and three birthing rooms, one with a birthing pool. In 2022, 211 women living in the Territory gave birth at Katherine Hospital, according to NT Health's Mothers and Babies 2022 report. If you think you are in labour, or you are worried about yourself or your baby, phone the hospital on (08) 8973 9211. For questions about the maternity ward, call (08) 8973 9257. In an emergency, call 000.

Katherine Hospital maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public, for normal-risk pregnancies and normal births
• Run by: NT Health
• In labour: Phone the hospital on (08) 8973 9211
• Pregnancy care options: Private, shared or midwifery care
• Booking in: Self-refer to the maternity ward from 10 weeks
• Midwives clinic: Wednesdays, Government Centre Building, 7 First Street
• Maternity ward: Eight beds and three birthing rooms, one with a birthing pool
• Higher-risk care: Referral to the obstetric clinic at Royal Darwin Hospital
• Visiting hours: 10am to 8pm

Where is the Katherine Hospital maternity ward, and how do I contact it?

• Address: Katherine Hospital, Giles Street, Katherine NT 0850
• Hospital phone: (08) 8973 9211
• Maternity ward: (08) 8973 9257
• Midwives clinic and childbirth classes: (08) 8973 9389
• In labour or worried: phone the hospital on (08) 8973 9211. In an emergency, call 000.

How do I book in for maternity care at Katherine Hospital?

In Katherine you can refer yourself to the maternity ward, and your GP can look after you in early pregnancy.

1. See your GP early. Go to your GP when you are pregnant or have a positive test. Your GP gives your early pregnancy care and support.
2. Refer yourself. From 10 weeks of pregnancy, you can self-refer to the maternity ward. Call (08) 8973 9257.
3. Book a midwives clinic visit. Appointments are on Wednesdays. Call (08) 8973 9389.
4. Get ready for your first visit. Take your Medicare card (or passport), any test results for this pregnancy, your GP's details and any referral letter. The first visit can take up to an hour.
5. Book your classes. From 30 weeks of pregnancy, you can join the childbirth education classes. Call (08) 8973 9389.

What pregnancy care can I have in Katherine?

Katherine Hospital offers private, shared or midwifery care. Midwifery care at the hospital is for normal-risk pregnancies and normal births. When you self-refer, ask the maternity ward which type of care suits you.

If you or your baby need specialist obstetric care, you may be referred to the obstetric clinic at Royal Darwin Hospital. This can happen if your pregnancy is higher risk, for example:

• Body Mass Index. Your BMI is 35 or more.
• Premature labour. Your labour starts before 36 weeks of pregnancy.

The NT Government lists these services on its pregnancy and birthing services in Katherine page.

Where is the Katherine midwives clinic?

The midwives clinic is held every Wednesday at the community health centre in the Government Centre Building, 7 First Street, Katherine. To make an appointment, call (08) 8973 9389.

What is the Katherine Hospital maternity ward like?

The maternity ward has eight inpatient beds and three birthing rooms. One birthing room has a birthing pool. Ask your midwife whether you can use it during labour. If you think labour has started, or your baby is moving less, or you are worried, phone the hospital on (08) 8973 9211.

Visiting hours for the maternity ward are 10am to 8pm. Check with a midwife before you visit a mother and her baby.

I live in a remote community. Where will I give birth?

If you live in a remote community, you get your pregnancy care at your nearest community care centre until you are 37 weeks pregnant. You may need to travel to a hospital at 18 to 20 weeks for an ultrasound or other tests.

• Travelling to give birth. Once you are 37 weeks pregnant, you travel to a hospital to wait for your baby. Katherine Hospital is one of the four hospitals where this can happen, depending on where you live.
• Travel and accommodation. Your community care centre arranges your travel and accommodation before you leave, and the hospital arranges your trip home.
• Staying in Katherine. Women from remote communities can stay in self-care accommodation in Katherine.

Does Katherine Hospital run childbirth classes?

Yes. If you are 30 weeks pregnant or more, you can go to the childbirth education classes. Six sessions of five weekly classes are held each calendar year. To find out more or book, call (08) 8973 9389.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Community clinics: after your midwife care ends, midwives and child health nurses at your nearest community clinic can keep caring for you and your baby.
• Community care centres: child health and assessment clinics and postnatal home visits. Have your 6 week check with your GP or community care centre.
• Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline: 1800 686 268.
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: 1800 882 436, 24 hour support.
• healthdirect: 1800 022 222, 24 hour health advice from registered nurses.

From your first night at home, follow the Red Nose safe sleep recommendations each time your baby sleeps.

Other birthing hospitals in the Northern Territory

The other birthing hospitals in the Territory are a long way from Katherine by road. They are listed closest first.

• Royal Darwin Hospital Public
• Gove District Hospital Public
• Alice Springs Hospital Public

See all Northern Territory birthing hospitals.

Katherine Hospital maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against the NT Government on 23 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.