King Edward Memorial Hospital maternity guide

King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) in Subiaco is a public hospital run by the Women and Newborn Health Service, part of the North Metropolitan Health Service. It is the largest maternity hospital in Western Australia, the state referral centre for complex, high-risk pregnancies, and home to the midwife-led Family Birth Centre. The North Metropolitan Health Service says it delivers 5,500 newborns each year. If you are booked at KEMH and think you are in labour, call the hospital on (08) 6458 2222 or your midwife. In an emergency, call 000.

King Edward Memorial Hospital maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public, the state referral centre for complex pregnancies
• Run by: Women and Newborn Health Service (North Metropolitan Health Service)
• Births: 5,500 newborns each year (North Metropolitan Health Service, 2026)
• In labour: Booked at KEMH, call (08) 6458 2222 or your midwife
• Pregnancy care options: Family Birth Centre, MGP, Ngangk Maawit Mia, home birth, clinics, GP shared care
• Family Birth Centre: Midwife-led, low risk, you can apply yourself
• Nursery: Neonatal intensive care unit, run by the Child and Adolescent Health Service
• Typical stay: From 4 hours after an uncomplicated vaginal birth, 24 to 72 hours after a caesarean

Where is King Edward Memorial Hospital maternity, and how do I contact it?

• Address: King Edward Memorial Hospital, 374 Bagot Road, Subiaco WA 6008
• Main hospital number: (08) 6458 2222, also the number to call in labour if you are booked at KEMH
• Family Birth Centre: (08) 6458 1800
• Parent Education Department: (08) 6458 1368
• Health advice: healthdirect on 1800 022 222, 24 hours a day
• Parking: street parking on Bagot Road, outside the hospital, is limited to 30 minutes. The hospital suggests the patient and visitor car park on Hensman Road.
• Getting there: Daglish station is a 10 minute walk. Buses stop in front of the main entrance.

KEMH will be replaced by the new Women and Babies Hospital, being built in the Fiona Stanley Hospital precinct and expected to be finished by 2029.

How do I book in at King Edward Memorial Hospital?

Your home postcode decides which public maternity hospital you can go to. You may still be cared for at KEMH from outside its area if your doctors think you need it.

1. Choose the care you want. Read the options below. Places at the Family Birth Centre are limited, and MGP referrals should be sent early, so start early in your pregnancy.
2. Talk to your GP. Tell your GP which care you would like. For MGP, you need a GP referral that asks for MGP 4 and 5 by name.
3. Or apply yourself. You can self-refer to the Family Birth Centre, Ngangk Maawit Mia and the Community Midwifery Program. The Family Birth Centre looks at applications from eight weeks of pregnancy.
4. Book your classes. KEMH suggests going to parent education classes between 28 and 36 weeks. Bookings are essential, so book early.

What pregnancy care options does KEMH offer?

• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP 4 and 5). A main midwife, backed by a small team, cares for you through pregnancy, labour, birth and after, at any level of risk. Births are in the Labour and Birth Suite. Women in the hospital's area get priority.
• Ngangk Maawit Mia. Culturally safe, personal maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby. The midwives work with Aboriginal Grandmothers and Aboriginal Liaison Services. You can self-refer at any stage of pregnancy.
• Community Midwifery Program. A publicly funded home birth service for low-risk pregnancies in metropolitan Perth. Births are at home or at the Kalamunda Birthing Rooms, and care continues for up to two weeks after the birth. Apply before 35 weeks.
• Hospital antenatal clinic midwives. For uncomplicated pregnancies, with the birth in hospital.
• Shared care. After your booking visit at KEMH, a GP who takes part in shared care sees you until about 36 to 38 weeks.
• Obstetric doctor care. For women with a complex medical history, a past pregnancy that needed specialist care, a pregnancy that is not going as expected, or twins or more.

KEMH describes each model on its Pregnancy Care Options page.

What is the King Edward Memorial Hospital Family Birth Centre?

The Family Birth Centre (FBC) gives midwife-led care in a home-like setting, separate from the main hospital, for women expecting a low-risk pregnancy and birth. Women from across metropolitan Perth can apply, and applications are considered by postcode catchment. Eligibility is checked again during your pregnancy, as things can change.

• How to apply: fill in the digital Family Birth Centre Application Form on the KEMH website. Places are limited, so apply early. Shared care is not available, and your first midwife visit can take up to 90 minutes.
• Pain relief: water, gas and air, and injectable medicines. There are no epidurals at the FBC. If you need one, you move to the main hospital.
• Support people: the people you choose can stay with you through labour and birth.
• Going home: usually about four hours after the birth. FBC midwives then visit you at home until day 10.
• Tours: an Early Pregnancy Education and Tour session runs on alternate Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 11.30am.

What is the KEMH Labour and Birth Suite like?

The Labour and Birth Suite is in the main hospital. All MGP 4 and 5 births take place there, and water birth is available for eligible women. Family Birth Centre women move to the main hospital if they need an epidural or extra care. If you are booked at KEMH and think you are in labour, you can call the hospital on (08) 6458 2222. If your waters break, or you have regular contractions or bleeding, call KEMH or your midwife straight away.

Does King Edward Memorial Hospital have a NICU?

Yes. KEMH has a neonatal intensive care unit for newborns who need specialised treatment. It is run by the Child and Adolescent Health Service, which also has an intensive care unit at Perth Children's Hospital.

How long will I stay, and what are the KEMH visiting hours?

If you and your baby are well, you can expect to go home from 4 hours after an uncomplicated vaginal birth, and between 24 and 72 hours after a caesarean. General visiting hours are 8am to 8pm, and patients are encouraged to rest between 1pm and 3pm. For ward rules, call (08) 6458 2222.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Postnatal care at home: KEMH offers postnatal care for you and your baby in your home. If you live outside its area, follow-up comes from your local hospital, child health nurse or GP.
• Child health nurse: a child health nurse will contact you about your first appointment, usually before your baby is 14 days old.
• Ngala Parenting Line: (08) 9368 9368, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.
• healthdirect: 1800 022 222, 24 hour health advice.

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

Other maternity hospitals near Subiaco

• St John of God Subiaco Hospital Private
• Osborne Park Hospital Public
• Bentley Midwifery Birth Centre Public
• Fiona Stanley Hospital Public
• St John of God Murdoch Hospital Private
• St John of God Midland Public Hospital Public

See all Western Australian birthing hospitals.

King Edward Memorial Hospital maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against North Metropolitan Health Service 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.