Launceston General Hospital maternity guide

Launceston General Hospital (LGH) is the major referral hospital for northern Tasmania, run by the Tasmanian Health Service. The Tasmanian Health Service says the hospital has about 1,600 births a year. You give birth in the Birthing Suite on Ward 4B, and you stay on the maternity ward, Ward 4O. If you think you are in labour, phone the Birthing Suite on (03) 6777 8960 before you come in. It gives advice 24 hours a day. The hospital's main number is (03) 6777 6777. In an emergency, call 000.

Launceston General Hospital maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public referral hospital for northern Tasmania
• Run by: Tasmanian Health Service
• In labour: Phone the Birthing Suite (Ward 4B) on (03) 6777 8960 before you come in, or the hospital on (03) 6777 6777
• Pregnancy care options: Midwifery Group Practice, midwife clinics, medical clinics, GP shared care
• Antenatal clinic: Pregnancy and Gynaecology Clinic, 1300 977 694
• Birthing Suite: Ward 4B, six birthing rooms
• Maternity ward: Ward 4O, with your baby rooming in with you
• Nursery: Neonatal unit for babies from 32 weeks

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

• Address: Launceston General Hospital, 274-280 Charles Street, Launceston TAS 7250
• Hospital main number: (03) 6777 6777. The hospital is open 24 hours.
• Pregnancy and Gynaecology Clinic appointments and enquiries: 1300 977 694. Antenatal education bookings use the same number, 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
• In labour: phone the Birthing Suite (Ward 4B) on (03) 6777 8960 before you come in. It gives advice 24 hours a day.
• Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (PAC): (03) 6777 8946, if your doctor or midwife refers you.
• Pain or bleeding before you are booked in: go to the Emergency Department.

How do I book in for pregnancy care at LGH?

Your doctor orders your first pregnancy tests, which you have before your booking-in appointment at the hospital.

1. See your doctor. Your GP or doctor orders all your pregnancy blood tests.
2. Have your blood tests first. Have them before your booking-in appointment. Pathology is on Level 2 of the hospital, reached from the Frankland Street Entrance, and parking is available.
3. Go to your booking-in appointment. Your ultrasound scans are organised with you at this visit. Scans are done in Radiology on Level 3.
4. Book your antenatal education. Start the birth, parenting and breastfeeding sessions at around 28 to 32 weeks. Bookings are essential. Call 1300 977 694.
5. Phone before you come in. When labour starts, call the Birthing Suite on (03) 6777 8960 first so staff can ask about your health.

What pregnancy care options are there in Launceston, including MGP?

The Tasmanian Department of Health lists these antenatal care options in the north of the state. Talk to your GP or midwife about which one suits your pregnancy.

• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP). A small team of midwives gives you continuity of care through your pregnancy, birth and after, in the community and in hospital.
• Midwifery-based care. Care led by midwives, including midwife community clinics and midwife satellite clinics.
• Medical clinics. Care from the hospital's doctors.
• GP shared care. Your GP shares your pregnancy care with the hospital.
• Pre-term birth prevention clinic. Ask your doctor or midwife if this clinic is right for you.

LGH also has a dedicated midwife who goes to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Health Service each week to provide antenatal care.

The Department explains what to expect on its Hospitals and pregnancy care - North page.

What is the LGH antenatal clinic, and where do I go for tests?

At LGH, antenatal appointments and enquiries go through the Pregnancy and Gynaecology Clinic on 1300 977 694. Your tests are in the main hospital: blood tests at Pathology on Level 2 and ultrasounds at Radiology on Level 3.

For the diabetes in pregnancy blood test, you must fast first, which means no food or drink except water. Go as early in the morning as you can and allow 2 to 3 hours. Your midwife or GP will give you a leaflet with instructions.

The Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (PAC) is in the Maternity Unit on Level 4, phone (03) 6777 8946. Your doctor or midwife may refer you there. PAC midwives and a doctor check on you and your baby, and then you either go home or are admitted.

What is the LGH Birthing Suite and maternity ward like?

The Birthing Suite on Ward 4B has six birthing rooms. This is where you labour, give birth and spend the first few hours with your baby. If you choose to stay in hospital after that, you move to the maternity ward. If you are having a planned caesarean, you are admitted to Ward 4O before your operation.

LGH has a rooming-in policy, so your baby stays with you 24 hours a day and there is no nursery for well babies. Tell staff if you plan to leave the ward. If you leave your room during visiting hours, ask a family member to watch your baby. Your partner cannot stay overnight on the maternity ward.

The Department does not publish maternity ward visiting hours, so call the hospital on (03) 6777 6777 before you visit.

See inside: watch the Maternity Unit video tour (video by the Department of Health, Tasmania, 2021).

Does LGH have a special care nursery?

Yes. LGH has a neonatal unit, a nine-bed special care unit, that cares for babies from 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Does LGH run antenatal classes?

Yes. Antenatal education is online, with video clips in five sections, and there is a group telehealth session with a midwife. You can also have one-to-one phone or telehealth sessions. The sessions cover self-help skills, labour and birth, feeding, unexpected outcomes and pain relief options. They are recommended especially for first-time parents.

All Tasmanian Health Service hospitals are accredited Baby Friendly Hospitals. You can ask your midwife for a one-to-one telehealth appointment with a lactation consultant. After 34 weeks, some women are asked to start gentle hand expression, and the milk can be frozen for after the birth.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS): the Department of Health's free child health service for babies and young children.
• Tresillian Tasmanian Parenting Support Line: 1300 827 282 (1300 TAS BUB). It is free and open 7am to 11pm, seven days a week, for Tasmanian parents with a baby or toddler. See Tresillian in Tasmania.
• 1800MEDICARE: 1800 633 422, free health advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Emergency: call 000.

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

Other birthing hospitals in Tasmania

These are the other birthing hospitals in Tasmania, closest to Launceston by road first. Burnie is about 150 km away and Hobart about 200 km.

• North West Regional Hospital Public
• Royal Hobart Hospital Public
• Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital Private

See all Tasmanian birthing hospitals.

Launceston General Hospital maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against the Tasmanian Department of Health 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.