Port Macquarie Base Hospital maternity guide

Port Macquarie Base Hospital is a 228 bed public hospital in Port Macquarie, run by Mid North Coast Local Health District. It is a level 4 maternity service with a Special Care Nursery, and all women having public care here get midwifery continuity of care through Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) or MAPS. If you think you are in labour, call the birthing unit before you come in, using the number at the top of your yellow card. The district's maternity contacts page lists (02) 5524 2044 for the hospital.

Port Macquarie Base Hospital maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public, level 4 maternity service
• Run by: Mid North Coast Local Health District
• In labour: Call the birthing unit first, using the number on your yellow card
• Pregnancy care options: MGP, MAPS, GP shared care, AMIHS, private care
• Antenatal care: With your MGP or MAPS midwife, plus specialists if needed
• Nursery: Special Care Nursery for babies from 34 weeks
• Typical stay: About 2 days after a vaginal birth, 3 after a caesarean
• Coming up: New maternity and neonatal units planned, now in design

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

• Address: Port Macquarie Base Hospital, 1 Wrights Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
• Maternity services: (02) 5524 2044
• Class enquiries: (02) 5524 2415
• Early Pregnancy Assessment Service: (02) 5524 2045, Monday to Friday
• Hospital switchboard: (02) 5524 2000
• Parking: free on site, including disabled parking
• In labour: phone the birthing unit before you leave home so the midwives can prepare for you. In a medical emergency, call 000.

How do I book in at Port Macquarie Base Hospital to have my baby?

Public care is free if you are eligible for Medicare.

1. Contact the maternity service early. You do not need a GP referral. You can contact the maternity service yourself, or your GP can refer you. Aim to book before 14 weeks.
2. Go to your booking-in appointment. It takes about 90 minutes. Bring any test results and your GP's referral letter if you have one.
3. Meet your midwife. Public care at Port Macquarie follows a midwifery continuity of care model, so you are cared for by MGP or MAPS midwives through pregnancy.
4. Plan your classes. Your primary midwife organises childbirth and parenting classes with you.

What pregnancy care options does Port Macquarie Base Hospital offer?

• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP). One known primary midwife, working in a small team, cares for you in pregnancy, labour and birth, and visits you at home for up to six weeks after. MGP started at Port Macquarie in September 2024.
• Maternity Antenatal and Postnatal Service (MAPS). A known midwife, within a small team, cares for you during pregnancy and after you go home, at hospital outpatient appointments and at home. The hospital's Maternity Core Team cares for you in labour, birth and on the postnatal ward. MAPS started in May 2024.
• GP shared care. Some visits are with your GP and milestone visits are at the hospital. Your GP may charge a gap.
• Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Service (AMIHS). For Aboriginal women or women expecting an Aboriginal baby, from early pregnancy until your baby is 8 weeks old, with a midwife and an Aboriginal Health Worker. Contact Port Macquarie Community Health Centre, 19 to 31 Morton Street, on (02) 6588 2882.
• Private obstetric care. A private specialist obstetrician. Needs a GP referral, and there are often out-of-pocket costs.
• Private midwife. Endorsed midwives with admitting rights can care for you as a private patient at the hospital.

NSW Health explains each option on its Pregnancy care options in NSW page.

Is there an antenatal clinic at Port Macquarie Base Hospital?

Antenatal care for public patients at Port Macquarie is given by your MGP or MAPS midwife, working with the hospital's obstetric team. If you need it, you can also see an obstetrician, endocrinologist, anaesthetist, diabetes educator, dietitian or women's physiotherapist. Most women have seven to ten visits. If you have bleeding or pain before 20 weeks, contact your GP or the Emergency Department, or call the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service on (02) 5524 2045. After 20 weeks, if you are worried about yourself or your baby between visits, call the maternity unit. A midwife may ask you to come in to be checked.

What happens when I go into labour at Port Macquarie Base Hospital?

Call the birthing unit before you come in. In general, it is time to go in when contractions are three to five minutes apart. Call straight away if you have bleeding, your waters break, labour starts before 37 weeks, you have strong belly pain, or your baby moves differently. If you are in MGP, your MGP midwives care for you in labour and birth. If you are in MAPS, the hospital's Maternity Core Team does. There is usually no limit on support people in labour. After the birth, your baby stays skin to skin with you for the first two hours, or until the first feed, unless either of you needs medical care. Depending on your health and your pregnancy, the district may recommend care at a higher-level service in Newcastle or Sydney.

Does Port Macquarie Base Hospital have a special care nursery?

Yes. The district's nursery page says the Special Care Nursery looks after unwell or premature babies from 34 weeks. Babies born earlier, or who need more care, are transferred to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, then brought back when they are well enough. Parents can be with their baby at any time. For longer stays, the district lists paid accommodation for parents at Rotary Lodge. For a short stay, such as light treatment for jaundice, ask about boarding with your baby on the maternity ward.

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

Expect to stay about two days after a vaginal birth and three days after an uncomplicated caesarean. Your baby stays in your room with you. One support person can stay overnight if a single room is free, and most single rooms have a fold-out sofa bed. Visiting hours for the maternity ward are 7am to 8pm.

Is Port Macquarie Base Hospital getting a new maternity unit?

It is planned. The NSW Government is investing $265 million in a Port Macquarie Base Hospital upgrade that includes new maternity and neonatal inpatient units. As at June 2026 the project was in the master planning and concept design stage, with building dates to be confirmed once a builder is appointed. All current services will continue at the hospital during construction.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Midwifery care at home: MGP midwives visit for up to six weeks. If you go home early or need extra help, the midwifery in the home team can visit for up to two weeks.
• Child and Family Health: a nurse contacts you within two weeks of the birth to offer a free appointment.
• Karitane Careline: 1300 227 464
• Tresillian Parents Help Line: 1300 272 736
• healthdirect: 1800 022 222, for 24 hour health advice

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

Other maternity hospitals near Port Macquarie

• Coffs Harbour Health Campus Public
• Maitland Hospital Public
• John Hunter Hospital Public
• Armidale Hospital Public
• Tamworth Hospital Public

See all New South Wales birthing hospitals.

Port Macquarie Base Hospital maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against Mid North Coast Local Health District 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.