Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Maternity Guide

Hospital Snapshot

• Hospital type - Public tertiary maternity hospital
• Birth environment - Hospital birthing suites and a dedicated birth centre for low risk pregnancies.
• Birth Centre - Midwife led birth centre offering a calmer environment for labour while still located within the hospital.
• Model of maternity care - Public maternity care delivered through midwife led care, GP shared care and specialist obstetric care
• Neonatal services - Tertiary neonatal intensive care unit providing specialised care for premature and medically complex babies.
• Annual births - More than 9,000 babies are born at RBWH each year making it one of the largest maternity hospitals in Australia

Hospital Location & Address

Ned Hanlon Building Butterfield Street, Herston QLD 4029

Contact Information

• Main Switchboard: (07) 3646 8111

• Maternity Website: Official RBWH Maternity Services

• General Enquiries: rbwh_maternity@health.qld.gov.au

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital maternity services explained for expecting parents

When you discover you are pregnant, one of the first practical decisions is choosing where you will receive maternity care and give birth. For many families in Brisbane, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital maternity services are part of that journey.

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, often called RBWH, is one of the largest maternity hospitals in Queensland. Located in Herston just north of the Brisbane CBD, it provides care for thousands of families every year and supports more than 9,000 births annually. The hospital is part of Queensland’s public health system and offers comprehensive maternity care from early pregnancy through to the first days after your baby is born.

If you are researching RBWH maternity hospital Brisbane options, it can help to understand how maternity care works there and what you can expect during pregnancy and birth.

What maternity services are available at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital?

Many expecting parents begin by asking what maternity services are available at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

RBWH provides a full range of maternity services including antenatal clinics, labour and delivery care, postnatal support and specialised neonatal care for babies who need additional medical attention after birth. The hospital supports families with both straightforward pregnancies and those that require closer medical monitoring.

During pregnancy, most women attend RBWH antenatal care appointments where midwives and obstetricians monitor the health and development of the baby while also supporting the wellbeing of the mother. These visits allow time to ask questions, discuss birth preferences and prepare for labour.

For many first time mums, the idea of hospital appointments can feel overwhelming at first. It often helps to remember that these visits are designed to guide you step by step through pregnancy so that both you and your baby are carefully supported.

How the RBWH maternity referral process works

Another question many mums search online is how do I get referred to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital maternity services.

In most cases, the process begins with a visit to your GP early in pregnancy. Your GP confirms the pregnancy and sends a referral to the hospital’s maternity department. Once the referral has been received and accepted, the hospital contacts you to organise your first antenatal appointment.

From there, you begin regular antenatal visits throughout pregnancy. These appointments help monitor your baby’s development and give you the opportunity to speak with the maternity team about labour preparation, feeding and newborn care.

For many mums, these early appointments are also when questions about birth options begin to come up. You might find yourself wondering what model of care you will receive or whether you will see midwives or obstetricians during your pregnancy.

Models of maternity care at RBWH

RBWH offers several models of maternity care depending on the needs of your pregnancy.

Some women receive midwife led maternity care, particularly if the pregnancy is considered low risk. In this model, midwives provide most of the care during pregnancy and birth while still working within the hospital system.

Other pregnancies may involve specialist obstetric care, especially if additional monitoring is needed. This ensures that women with more complex pregnancies receive the appropriate medical support while still being cared for by experienced maternity staff.

Many parents find reassurance knowing that RBWH is a tertiary maternity hospital. This means the hospital is equipped to support both routine births and more complex pregnancy situations if they arise.

The RBWH birth centre

Expecting parents sometimes ask does Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital have a birth centre.

RBWH operates a dedicated birth centre designed for women with low risk pregnancies who would like a calmer birth environment while still being located inside the hospital.

The RBWH birth centre is midwife led and focuses on supporting natural labour where possible. The rooms are designed to feel less clinical than traditional labour wards and allow women greater freedom to move during labour.

Even though the environment feels more relaxed, the birth centre is still part of the hospital. This means medical care is immediately available if complications arise during labour.

What it is like giving birth at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital?

Many expecting mums naturally wonder what it is like giving birth at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

As one of the largest public maternity hospitals in Queensland, RBWH supports a wide range of birth experiences. Some births progress naturally with midwife support, while others require additional monitoring or medical assistance.

The hospital provides modern birthing suites within the maternity unit where midwives support labour and obstetric specialists are available if additional medical care is required.

Because RBWH is also a major referral hospital, it provides specialised maternity care for pregnancies involving complications or premature labour. This ensures families have access to experienced clinicians and advanced facilities if extra support is needed.

Neonatal care for newborn babies

One service that often reassures expecting parents is the RBWH neonatal intensive care unit.

The hospital operates a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit that provides specialised treatment for premature babies or newborns who require additional medical care after birth.

Knowing that advanced neonatal care is available within the same hospital can provide peace of mind for many families during pregnancy.

Postnatal care after birth

After delivery, mothers and babies are transferred to the maternity ward where postnatal care begins.

The first days after birth are a time of recovery, learning and adjustment. During this period, midwives help parents with feeding guidance, newborn care and recovery after labour.

Many mums find this support incredibly valuable as they learn how to feed, settle and care for their baby for the first time.

You might also find yourself asking practical questions during this stage, such as how often should a newborn feed in the first days after birth or what newborn sleep patterns are normal in the early weeks. These are common questions and the maternity team is there to guide you through them.

Preparing for life after leaving hospital

While labour and birth are major milestones, many parents find that preparing for life with a newborn is just as important.

Understanding newborn sleep, feeding and safe sleep guidance before leaving hospital can help you feel more confident when you return home with your baby.

Some parents begin researching topics such as how to create a safe sleep environment for a newborn or why babies sometimes develop flat spots on the back of their head in the early months. Learning about these common newborn experiences ahead of time can help you feel calmer and more prepared during those first weeks.

Choosing a maternity hospital in Brisbane

Families comparing maternity hospitals in Brisbane may also explore other hospitals such as:

Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane
Greenslopes Private Hospital
The Wesley Hospital
North West Private Hospital

However, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital maternity services remain one of the most widely used options in the public health system due to the scale of care provided and the specialised facilities available.

For many Brisbane families, giving birth at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital means being supported by experienced midwives, obstetricians and neonatal specialists who guide parents through pregnancy, labour and the early days of caring for their newborn.

Choosing where to give birth is a personal decision, but understanding how maternity care works at RBWH can help you feel more informed and confident as you prepare for one of the most important moments in your life.

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