Royal Prince Alfred Hospital maternity guide

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) is a public hospital in Camperdown, run by Sydney Local Health District. Its maternity service, RPA Women and Babies, is a level 6 tertiary referral maternity hospital with a Delivery Ward, a Birth Centre, its own obstetric operating theatre and neonatal intensive care. The district says around 4,000 babies are born at RPA each year. In labour, go to the Delivery Ward or Birth Centre on Level 3 of the Main Building, open 24 hours. The Delivery Ward is on (02) 9515 8420. For antenatal clinic appointments, call (02) 9515 7101.

RPA maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public, level 6 tertiary referral maternity hospital
• Run by: Sydney Local Health District
• In labour: Delivery Ward, Level 3, Main Building, (02) 9515 8420
• Pregnancy care options: Midwifery clinics, community outreach clinics, Birth Centre, MGP, MAPS, GP or endorsed midwife shared care, private obstetrician
• Antenatal clinic: Level 5, Main Building
• Birth suite: Delivery Ward (9 birthing rooms) and Birth Centre (3 rooms, each with a large birthing pool), Level 3, open 24 hours
• Nursery: RPA Newborn Care, with intensive care beds and special care cots
• Typical stay: Home 4 to 6 hours after an uncomplicated birth on the Birth Centre, MGP and MAPS models, with home visits afterwards

Where is RPA maternity, and how do I contact it?

• Address: RPA Women and Babies, Main Building, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Road, Camperdown NSW 2050
• Delivery Ward: (02) 9515 8420, Level 3, open 24 hours
• Birth Centre: (02) 9515 6405, Level 3, open 24 hours
• Midwifery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinics: (02) 9515 7101, Level 5
• Parent Education: (02) 9515 5284, Level 5
• Hospital switchboard: (02) 9515 6111
• In labour: come in through the Main Building entrance off Missenden Road and go to Level 3. The Delivery Ward and Birth Centre are open 24 hours. Between 10pm and 6am, press the intercom button. In an emergency, there is a small drop-off area near the Level 3 entry off Gloucester Drive. Parking around RPA is limited, so allow extra time.

How do I book in to have my baby at RPA?

Your GP is the starting point for care at RPA, whether you choose public care or a private obstetrician.

1. See your GP. Your GP confirms the pregnancy, arranges early tests, talks with you about your care options at RPA and gives you a referral. Ask about combined first trimester screening, which is done between 12 and 13+6 weeks. You also get a yellow card to bring to every antenatal visit.
2. Your GP sends the referral. GPs refer to RPA Women and Babies with a HealthLink SmartForm eReferral. If you want MGP or MAPS, ask your GP to refer you as early as possible, as places are limited.
3. Book your first appointment. Book with RPA or your private obstetrician for when you are 11 to 13 weeks pregnant.
4. Book an early pregnancy session. Book the early pregnancy education session with RPA Parent Education on (02) 9515 5284, and look at the other classes on offer.

What pregnancy care options does RPA offer?

Anyone can have their baby at RPA, but some options, such as the Birth Centre, MGP, MAPS and midwife home visits, are only for families living in nearby suburbs (mostly the inner west and inner city). RPA may recommend a type of care based on your needs.

• Midwifery Antenatal Clinic. Pregnancy care from RPA midwives at the hospital clinic on Level 5.
• Midwifery Community Outreach Clinics. The same midwife care closer to home, at Croydon, Forest Lodge, Homebush, Leichhardt, Marrickville and RPA HealthOne Green Square in Zetland. To make or change an outreach appointment, email the RPA Antenatal Clinic at SLHD-RPAWBClinic@health.nsw.gov.au rather than the centre itself.
• Birth Centre. Midwife care through pregnancy, labour and birth for women with an uncomplicated pregnancy who plan a natural birth without an epidural. It is not suitable for significant complications such as pre-existing diabetes or twins. If you need an induction or an epidural, your Birth Centre midwife keeps caring for you in the Delivery Ward.
• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP). Your own midwife, in a small team, through pregnancy, birth and after. You can give birth in the Birth Centre or the Delivery Ward. Places are limited. Concord MGP gives pregnancy care at Concord Hospital, with birth at RPA or Canterbury Hospital.
• Wiyanga Gurung Aboriginal Midwifery Group Practice. An MGP for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and babies, supported by a Clinical Midwife Consultant and an Aboriginal Health Worker.
• Midwifery Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS). A small team of midwives for pregnancy and after-birth care, at RPA or community clinics. Your birth is in the Delivery Ward.
• GP shared care. Your GP shares your pregnancy care with the hospital team. Not suitable for significant complications such as diabetes or twins.
• Endorsed midwife shared care. Most of your care from a privately practising endorsed midwife in the community, who refers you to RPA and keeps caring for you for up to eight weeks after the birth.
• Private obstetrician. Care in your obstetrician's rooms, with birth at RPA. You need a GP referral to your chosen obstetrician. RPA says that if you use your private health insurance, your gap payment can be waived up to $500 a calendar year and you get access to the RPA staff and visitor car park.
• Specialist pregnancy clinics. For extra care when needed, such as diabetes, birth after caesarean and twins or more. A midwife arranges this at your first hospital visit.

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

Where is the RPA antenatal clinic?

The Midwifery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinics are on Level 5 of the Main Building. The Early Pregnancy Assessment Service uses the same number, (02) 9515 7101. The Centre for Women's Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine is also on Level 5, on (02) 9515 6042. RPA Parent Education is on Level 5 too, to the left of the South lifts. Some classes are free and some have a fee.

What are the RPA Delivery Ward and Birth Centre like?

The Delivery Ward and Birth Centre are both on Level 3 of the Main Building and are open 24 hours a day. The Delivery Ward has nine birthing rooms and cares for most families at RPA, with or without complications. The Birth Centre has three rooms, each with a large birthing pool, and is connected to the Delivery Ward, emergency help and the operating theatres if needed. RPA also has a dedicated obstetric operating theatre. A new tower is being built as part of the hospital's redevelopment. The district says the new spaces will include two new birthing suites with in-room baths and ensuites, and more single ensuite rooms.

See inside: watch the virtual tour of RPA Women and Babies (video by Sydney Local Health District, 2020, so some areas may have changed).

Does RPA have a NICU?

Yes. RPA Newborn Care is funded for 12 NICU 1 beds, 10 NICU 2 beds and 14 special care cots. It has around 1,000 admissions a year. The new tower will include a more spacious neonatal intensive care unit.

How long will I stay at RPA after giving birth?

It depends on your health and your baby's. If you are with the Birth Centre, MGP, Wiyanga Gurung MGP or MAPS and you and your baby are well after an uncomplicated birth, you will be encouraged to go home 4 to 6 hours after the birth, with a home visit the next day. During the hospital redevelopment, the Postnatal Ward has moved for a time to 10 West 2 in the Main Building. A small number of single rooms are kept and given out based on clinical need. Because of the room layout on level 10, partners cannot stay overnight. The district says maternity may have preferred visiting times, so call the ward through the switchboard on (02) 9515 6111 before visitors come.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Midwifery at Home: home visits and phone support from RPA midwives for up to two weeks, for families in nearby suburbs. Places are not guaranteed, and first-time parents and families with extra needs come first. Birth Centre, MGP and MAPS families get home visits from their own team.
• Feeding help: ask your midwife or obstetrician about RPA Lactation Services. The Australian Breastfeeding Association is on 1800 686 268.
• Your GP: book check-ups for you and your baby with your GP after you go home.
• Karitane Careline: 1300 227 464.
• Tresillian Parents Help Line: 1300 272 736.
• healthdirect: 24 hour health advice on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

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

Other maternity hospitals near inner Sydney

• Royal Hospital for Women Public
• Prince of Wales Private Hospital Private
• Canterbury Hospital Public
• St George Hospital Public
• St George Private Hospital Private
• Royal North Shore Hospital Public

See all New South Wales birthing hospitals.

RPA maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against 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.