Mercy Hospital for Women maternity guide

Mercy Hospital for Women is a tertiary maternity hospital in Heidelberg, run by Mercy Health. It cares for public and private patients and has a Birth Suite, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a Special Care Nursery. In 2022, 5,163 babies were born here, according to Safer Care Victoria's performance indicators report. If you think you are in labour, call the Birth Suite on (03) 8458 4058, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mercy Hospital for Women maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public and private, a tertiary hospital
• Run by: Mercy Health
• In labour: Call the Birth Suite on (03) 8458 4058, 24 hours
• Pregnancy care options: Team midwifery, midwifery group practice, shared care, private care
• Antenatal clinic: Outpatient clinics in the main hospital building
• Birth Suite: Midwives, doctors, anaesthetists and paediatricians
• Nursery: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery
• Stay after birth: Depends on how you and your baby are

Where is Mercy Hospital for Women maternity in Heidelberg, and how do I contact it?

• Address: Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg VIC 3084
• Birth Suite: (03) 8458 4058, 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Main reception: (03) 8458 4444, 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Getting in: the hospital's front entrance is closed for building work until 2028. Allow extra time, follow the signs and report to reception on Level 1. The Emergency Department entrance is on Burgundy Street.

What are the visiting hours at Mercy Hospital for Women?

Call the hospital on (03) 8458 4444 to check visiting hours before you visit.

How do I get referred to Mercy Hospital for Women?

Public maternity care starts with a referral from your GP. Ask as early as you can in your pregnancy.

1. See your GP. Maternity outpatient clinics need a referral from your GP or another specialist.
2. Your GP sends the referral. Referrals are assessed against the Statewide Referral Criteria.
3. Check your catchment. For public care you need to live in the hospital's catchment area, or you can attend as a private patient.
4. Choose a care model. The clinic that accepts your referral depends on your risk level and the care you want (see below).
5. Go to your first visit. Bring your Medicare card (or passport and private health fund details), your appointment letter and any test or scan results. Team care first visits can take up to two hours.
6. Book your classes. Mercy recommends starting the class series after 28 weeks.

What pregnancy care options does Mercy Hospital for Women offer?

• Team maternity care. For uncomplicated pregnancies, with a better chance of knowing the midwife who cares for you in labour and on the ward.
• Midwives antenatal clinic. For uncomplicated pregnancies, where you see the same midwife at each visit.
• Midwifery Group Practice. For low-risk pregnancies. You have the same midwife, in a pair, through pregnancy, birth and up to two weeks after. Places are limited and there is a waitlist.
• Shared care. Your GP or community midwife shares your care with the hospital clinic. They must be registered with the hospital.
• Private obstetric care. You see a private obstetrician accredited with the hospital. A GP referral is needed.
• Mercy Perinatal. Obstetric care for high-risk pregnancies, including fetal medicine clinics.
• Nangnak Baban Murrup. A maternity group practice clinic for families expecting an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander baby.

For help choosing, see the Better Health Channel page Pregnancy and birth care options.

Where is the Mercy Hospital for Women antenatal clinic?

Outpatient clinics are on various levels of the main hospital building, so check your appointment letter for where to go.

• Shared care: Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm.
• Pregnancy Day Stay: Level 3, for baby monitoring and some treatments. It does not accept external referrals, so ask your Mercy midwife or doctor about it. Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, and Saturday 8am to 3pm by appointment.

What are the Mercy Hospital for Women antenatal classes?

Parent education classes are held on Level 3 for people booked to give birth at the hospital. You can choose two 4.5 hour workshops over two weeks, or a series of four 2 hour classes, one a week. They cover labour and birth, breastfeeding and the first weeks at home. Extra classes include VBAC and caesarean birth. Book through TryBooking. New series open each month and spaces are limited.

What is the Mercy Hospital for Women Birth Suite like?

The Birth Suite is staffed by a team including midwives, doctors, anaesthetists and paediatricians, and doctors and paediatricians are available at all times. If you need a caesarean birth, doctors and anaesthetists look after you. Pain relief options include TENS, sterile water injections, gas, morphine and epidural. A free interpreter service is available 24 hours a day. If you think you are in labour, call (03) 8458 4058 first.

Does Mercy Hospital for Women have a NICU?

Yes. The hospital has a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a Special Care Nursery. Mercy Health says it is one of only four neonatal intensive care units in Melbourne. After hours, parents can phone the Special Care Nursery on (03) 8458 4730.

How long will I stay in hospital after giving birth at Mercy Hospital for Women?

How long you stay depends on how you and your baby are, so ask your midwife. If you are in Midwifery Group Practice, your midwives visit you at home for up to two weeks after you leave hospital.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Breastfeeding support service: (03) 8458 4677, for appointments and enquiries.
• Maternal and Child Health Line: 13 22 29, 24 hours.
• NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 60 60 24, 24 hours.

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

Other maternity hospitals near Heidelberg

• Northpark Private Hospital Private
• St Vincent's Private Hospital Fitzroy Private
• The Royal Women's Hospital Public
• Frances Perry House Private
• Epworth Freemasons Private
• Northern Hospital Epping Public

See all Victorian birthing hospitals.

Mercy Hospital for Women maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against Mercy Health 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.