Royal Hospital for Women maternity guide

The Royal Hospital for Women (RHW) is a public hospital in Randwick, run by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. It is a level 6 service for maternity and newborn care, and it sits with other hospitals on the Randwick Hospitals Campus. If you think you are in labour, call the Birth Unit on (02) 9382 6100 or (02) 9382 6116 before you come in. For antenatal appointments, call the Antenatal Outpatients Department on (02) 9382 6048.

Royal Hospital for Women maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public, level 6 maternity and neonatal service
• Run by: South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
• In labour: Call the Birth Unit before you come in
• Pregnancy care options: Midwives Clinic, GP shared care, MAPS, MGP, Malabar Midwives, private obstetrician
• Antenatal clinic: Antenatal Outpatients Department, Level 0
• Birth Unit: Level 1, Building 17 on the campus map
• Nursery: Newborn Care Centre (NICU), Level 1
• Typical stay: Up to 3 days after a vaginal birth, 5 days after a caesarean

Where is the Royal Hospital for Women, and how do I contact maternity?

• Address: Royal Hospital for Women, Barker Street, Randwick NSW 2031
• Birth Unit: (02) 9382 6100 or (02) 9382 6116, Level 1
• Maternity Triage Assessment Unit and Birth Unit: 0439 869 035, 24 hours, if you are more than 20 weeks pregnant and have any concerns
• Antenatal Outpatients Department: (02) 9382 6048, Level 0
• Postnatal Ward: (02) 9382 6348
• Hospital switchboard: (02) 9382 6111
• Getting there: the RHW entrance on Barker Street leads to the Admissions and Reception desk, open 24 hours. From the light rail stop at High Street and Avoca Street, follow the purple line to the hospital.

How do I book in to have my baby at the Royal Hospital for Women?

All public antenatal care bookings at RHW come through your GP.

1. See your GP. Your GP confirms the pregnancy, arranges routine blood tests and talks with you about genetic screening.
2. Your GP sends an eReferral. Your GP completes and sends an electronic referral to the hospital for you.
3. Wait for a call. The hospital aims to contact you within 2 to 3 weeks to arrange a booking appointment. If you have not heard after 4 weeks, call Antenatal Outpatients on (02) 9382 6048.
4. Go to your booking visit. This is usually when you are about 14 weeks pregnant.

What pregnancy care options does the Royal Hospital for Women offer?

• Midwives Clinic and GP Shared Care. Your care is shared between your GP and the midwives and doctors at the Antenatal Clinic. You need a GP who is part of the RHW Antenatal Shared Care Program.
• Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS). A known midwife in a small team cares for you at the hospital, at home or at a community clinic. A Birth Unit midwife cares for you in labour, and your MAPS midwife visits at home until your baby is about 10 to 14 days old. Places may be limited.
• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP). A small team of midwives cares for you. It is only for women in the RHW area, and women who want a homebirth or a low-intervention birth are given priority. Publicly funded homebirth is available to women who meet the criteria.
• Malabar Midwives. An MGP mainly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, and also for non-Aboriginal women from the 2035 and 2036 postcodes. Call (02) 9382 6783.
• Private obstetrician. You need a GP referral to the obstetrician. Birth Unit midwives and your obstetrician care for you in labour. Ask each obstetrician about their fees.
• Specialist clinics. Including Maternal-Fetal Medicine, diabetes in pregnancy, twins, breech and preterm birth prevention clinics.

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

Where is the Royal Hospital for Women antenatal clinic?

The Antenatal Outpatients Department is on Level 0 of the Royal Hospital for Women, shown as Building 17 on the campus map. Call (02) 9382 6048 about appointments. If you are in GP shared care, a midwife answers non-urgent questions on 0417 995 153, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm. Childbirth and parenting classes run in the hospital's seminar rooms and are booked online. Call (02) 9382 6541 for class questions.

What is the Royal Hospital for Women Birth Unit like?

The Birth Unit is on Level 1. Call before you come in if you are in labour, you are bleeding more than a show, your baby is moving less or has stopped moving, or you do not feel well. The Birth Unit has several options for labouring or giving birth in water, so ask staff which suit you. Women in the Midwifery Group Practice can give birth in the Birth Unit, the Birth Centre or at home. You can book a 30 minute Birth Unit Tour with a midwife, which starts at the hospital entrance.

Does the Royal Hospital for Women have a NICU?

Yes. The Newborn Care Centre (NICU) is on Level 1 and cares for babies with the most complex illnesses, including babies who need major surgery. It admits over 1,000 newborns each year and takes babies from other NICUs. Parents can visit at any time. Other visitors cannot visit during quiet time (1pm to 3pm) or ward rounds, and only two people can visit at a time. Call the Newborn Care Centre on (02) 9382 6160.

How long will I stay at the Royal Hospital for Women after giving birth?

Postnatal Services are on level three. Some women stay up to 3 days after a vaginal birth or 5 days after a caesarean. If you prefer, you may go home 6 to 8 hours after a vaginal birth or 24 hours after a caesarean, with support from midwives at home. Visiting on the postnatal wards is 4pm to 8pm, with no visiting during quiet time from 1pm to 4pm. Partners can stay after 8pm.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Midwifery Support Programme: a midwife visits you at home for up to an hour, with three visits over 4 days. Call (02) 9382 6333.
• Breastfeeding Support Unit: outpatient and inpatient help for mothers after the birth.
• Child and Family Health: free health, growth and development checks from birth to five.
• Australian Breastfeeding Association: 1800 686 268, 24 hours.
• Karitane Careline on 1300 227 464 and Tresillian Parents Help Line on 1300 272 736.
• healthdirect: 24 hour health advice on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

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

Other maternity hospitals near Randwick

• Prince of Wales Private Hospital Private
• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Public
• St George Hospital Public
• St George Private Hospital Private
• Canterbury Hospital Public
• Sutherland Hospital Public

See all New South Wales birthing hospitals.

Royal Hospital for Women maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against South Eastern Sydney 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.