Northern Hospital Epping maternity guide

Northern Hospital Epping is a public hospital run by Northern Health, at 185 Cooper Street, Epping. In 2022, 3,250 babies were born there, according to Safer Care Victoria's performance indicators report. If you think you are in labour, or you have a worry in pregnancy, phone the Maternity Assessment Centre first on (03) 8405 2277. The Centre is open 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. Outside those hours, call the hospital on (03) 8405 8000. Staff will tell you whether to come to the Maternity Assessment Centre or the Maternity Ward reception desk. Both are on Level 1.

Northern Hospital Epping maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public hospital
• Run by: Northern Health
• In labour: Phone (03) 8405 2277 from 9am to 5pm, or the hospital on (03) 8405 8000 at other times
• Pregnancy care options: Team care, shared care, Koori Maternity Service and specialist clinics
• Antenatal clinic: Pregnancy Care Clinics at Epping and Craigieburn
• Birth suites: Level 1, with water immersion for eligible women
• Nursery: Neonatal Unit, a level 5 service, for babies from 30 weeks and 1000 g
• Typical stay: About 2 nights after a normal birth

Where is Northern Hospital Epping maternity, and how do I contact it?

• Address: Northern Hospital Epping, 185 Cooper Street, Epping VIC 3076
• Maternity Assessment Centre: (03) 8405 2277, Level 1, open 9am to 5pm daily. Phone this number first if you are in labour or have a concern. Outside those hours, call the hospital main line below.
• Maternity unit: (03) 8405 8206
• Pregnancy Care Clinics: (03) 8405 8772
• Hospital main line: (03) 8405 8000
• Getting there: bus routes 358, 555, 556, 577, 569 and 901 stop out the front of the hospital. Parking is available in the hospital grounds, and the first 30 minutes are free.
• In labour: from 7am to 11pm, use the main entrance and go to the Maternity Ward reception desk or the Maternity Assessment Centre, as the midwife advises. From 11pm to 7am the front entrance is closed. Enter through the Emergency Department and go to its reception desk for directions.

What is the Maternity Assessment Centre at Northern Hospital Epping?

The Maternity Assessment Centre is a day unit that checks you and your baby if you have a complication in pregnancy. It is for women 20 weeks pregnant or more, and it is open seven days a week, 9am to 5pm. You can refer yourself or be referred by a health professional. Outside those hours, call the hospital on (03) 8405 8000. Pregnancy concerns outside those hours are seen in the birthing suites on Level 1. If you are under 20 weeks, go to the Emergency Department instead.

Call the hospital if:

• you think your waters have broken
• you have vaginal bleeding that is not mucus-tinged spotting
• your contractions last over 30 seconds and are less than 5 minutes apart
• your baby moves less than usual or differently
• you have a headache that is not usual, or blurred vision
• you have a fever, constant itching, or a fall or minor car accident

When you arrive, check in at the Maternity Assessment Centre reception. Visits that are not planned work like an Emergency Department. You are seen by clinical need, not in the order you arrive. In an emergency, call 000.

How do I get referred to and book in at Northern Hospital Epping?

For public care at Northern Health, your pregnancy care starts with a referral to the Pregnancy Care Clinics.

1. See your GP early. Ask your GP to refer you to the Pregnancy Care Clinics. Northern Health asks for referrals by 10 weeks of pregnancy.
2. Go to your booking visit. The clinics aim to hold routine booking visits at 11 to 13 weeks.
3. Read the booking pack. Northern Health publishes an antenatal booking pack in English and Arabic on the Pregnancy Care Clinics page.
4. If you choose shared care. The hospital books your hospital appointments, but you book your own GP visits.
5. Book your classes. Childbirth and parenting classes are recommended at or after 30 weeks. Book online through the TryBooking link or call the Maternity Ward clerk on (03) 8405 8211.

What pregnancy care options does Northern Hospital Epping offer?

• Team Maternity Care. Care from one of four teams (Flame, Gum, Willow or Ash), mostly midwives, with doctor checks if your risks are higher.
• Shared Maternity Care. Pregnancy visits with an approved GP, midwife or obstetrician in the community, and your birth in hospital. It is generally for healthy, low-risk pregnancies.
• Koori Maternity Service. Culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, from pregnancy until six weeks after the birth.
• Twins Clinic. Continuity of care from a small obstetric team and a midwife.
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Care for high-risk or complex pregnancies, with genetic counselling and bereavement support.
• OPAL Clinic. Antenatal care for women with a high BMI or previous bariatric surgery.

To compare your choices, see the Better Health Channel page on Pregnancy and birth care options.

Where is the Northern Hospital Epping antenatal clinic?

The Pregnancy Care Clinics run at Northern Hospital Epping, 185 Cooper Street, and at Craigieburn Community Hospital, 121 Lygon Drive, Craigieburn. For enquiries, call (03) 8405 8772. Clinic opening hours are not published, so ask when you book. Shared care days are Mondays at Craigieburn and Tuesdays at Epping.

What is the Northern Hospital birthing suite like?

The birthing suites are on Level 1. Two support people are welcome and encouraged, and children may visit at the family's and the maternity team's discretion. You may be asked to wait outside during some procedures. Northern Health announced in July 2026 that the Birth Suite can now offer water immersion in labour for women who meet clinical criteria, with trained midwives caring for you. Bring a nightie or old T-shirt to wear.

Does Northern Hospital Epping have a special care nursery or NICU?

The hospital has a Neonatal Unit, which Northern Health describes as a level 5 service. It cares for premature and unwell babies from 30 weeks and 1000 g, and for newborns after high-risk deliveries. It has 23 beds, 17 of them funded. You can phone the unit on (03) 8405 8207.

How long will I stay in hospital after giving birth at Northern Hospital Epping?

The maternity unit has 24 beds in single, two-bed and four-bed rooms. After a normal birth you generally stay about 2 nights, with one extra night after a caesarean. If you and your baby are well, you may go home after 24 hours once you have been reviewed. Your baby has a free hearing test before you leave. Visiting hours can change, so ask the hospital on (03) 8405 8000 or check nh.org.au.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Home visit: all women are offered a visit from a domiciliary midwife, usually the day after you go home.
• Lactation consultants: call (03) 8405 8202, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, free with a Medicare card for babies under 3 months. You can refer yourself.
• Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline: 1800 686 268.
• Maternal and Child Health Line: 13 22 29, 24 hours.
• NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 60 60 24, 24 hour nurse advice.
• Your GP: book a six-week check for you and your baby.

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

Other maternity hospitals near Epping

• Northpark Private Hospital Private
• Mercy Hospital for Women Public
• St Vincent's Private Hospital Fitzroy Private
• The Royal Women's Hospital Public
• Sunshine Hospital Public

See all Victorian birthing hospitals.

Northern Hospital Epping maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against Northern 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.