Sunshine Coast University Hospital maternity guide

Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) in Birtinya is a public, tertiary level teaching hospital run by Sunshine Coast Health. Its maternity service, birth suite and maternity ward are on Level 4 of the main hospital building. If you think you are in labour, call the Birthing Service on (07) 5202 3888 before you come in. To make or change a pregnancy appointment, call the maternity clinic on (07) 5202 4133, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm.

Sunshine Coast University Hospital maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public, tertiary level teaching hospital
• Run by: Sunshine Coast Health
• In labour: Call the Birthing Service on (07) 5202 3888 before you come in
• Pregnancy care options: Midwives clinics, GP shared care, MGP, Birth Centre, home birth, private midwives
• Antenatal clinic: Level 4 at SCUH, plus midwives clinics around the region
• Birth suite: 15 bed birthing unit, with waterbirth available
• Nursery: Neonatal unit on site for babies who need extra care
• Typical stay: Around 24 hours if there are no complications, or from 6 hours

Where is Sunshine Coast University Hospital maternity, and how do I contact it?

• Maternity: Level 4, Main hospital building, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, 6 Doherty St, Birtinya Qld 4575
• Maternity clinic (appointments): (07) 5202 4133, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4pm
• Maternity Day Assessment Unit: (07) 5202 4144, pregnancy advice 7 days a week, 8am to 6pm
• Birthing Service (labour): (07) 5202 3888, call before you come to hospital
• Maternity ward: (07) 5202 3555
• Switchboard: (07) 5202 0000, general enquiries 8am to 4.30pm
• In labour: park at Frazer Lane off Eccles Boulevard, enter through the southern entrance and take the green lifts to Level 4
• Under 20 weeks with problems: contact your GP or go to the emergency department

How do I get referred to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for maternity care?

Your GP or a private midwife starts your care. Public care at SCUH is free for Medicare card holders.

1. See a GP or private midwife. Book an appointment early in your pregnancy.
2. Choose a type of care. Talk about which option suits you and your pregnancy.
3. Your GP or midwife tells the hospital. SCUH then begins your hospital care.
4. Ask early for MGP or the Birth Centre. Places are limited, so ask your GP to request it and email SC-MGP@health.qld.gov.au.

What pregnancy care options does Sunshine Coast University Hospital offer?

• Midwives clinics. Midwives provide your care and refer you to hospital doctors if needed.
• GP shared care. Your GP does most visits if there are no complications. You visit the hospital to book in and again at 20, 36 and 41 weeks.
• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP). A main midwife and small team care for you through pregnancy and birth, then at home for up to 6 weeks. Spaces are limited.
• Birth Centre. A low intervention, active approach to birth with a known midwife, offered through MGP. It is mainly for low risk pregnancies.
• Publicly funded home birth. May be an option if you have a low risk pregnancy and meet the criteria. Places are limited.
• Private midwives. An endorsed private midwife works with SCUH. You pay for the midwife and a bed fee.
• Birawan team. Continuity of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Ask your midwife about a referral.
• Specialist care. Maternal fetal medicine and obstetric medicine teams care for complex pregnancies, including women having more than one baby.

If you are still deciding, see the Queensland Government maternity care options page.

Where is the SCUH maternity clinic (antenatal clinic)?

The maternity clinic is on Level 4 at SCUH. From the car park, cross the Level 1 link bridge and take the green lifts to Level 4. Midwives clinics are also held at Nambour, Caloundra, Maleny Hospital, Maroochydore and Noosa. Face to face childbirth and parenting classes are at Nambour General Hospital (book on (07) 5202 4133).

For more detail, read the Congratulations on your pregnancy maternity booklet.

What is the SCUH birthing suite like?

SCUH has a 15 bed birthing unit. When you arrive, the team confirms your pain relief options. Waterbirth is available, although the bath may not suit you if you are birthing before 37 weeks, having more than one baby, or have certain medical conditions.

The Birth Centre is inside the birth suite. It is set up for an active, natural labour, with medical help close by.

The booklet suggests calling when contractions are less than three to five minutes apart and hard to manage. Call sooner, as you will be asked to come in, if your baby is moving less than usual, your waters break or leak, or you have bright red bleeding.

See inside: watch the SCUH birthing suite video tour (video by Sunshine Coast Health).

What happens if my baby needs extra care after birth?

SCUH has a neonatal unit. The maternity booklet calls it a Special Care Nursery, while other Sunshine Coast Health pages call it the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A parent can stay in the unit.

How long will I stay in hospital after giving birth at SCUH?

If you and your baby are well, you can go home from 6 hours after the birth. Without complications, the team will talk to you about going home at around 24 hours. After complications, you may stay longer. Arrange a lift home before you leave.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Extended Midwifery Service home visits, if you live in the Sunshine Coast region
• MGP home visits, if you had MGP care
• Lactation consultants, for help with feeding
• Your GP, for baby checks at one and six weeks
• Child Health clinics, free for children up to 5, including feeding and growth checks (1300 591 494)
• Jabba Jabba, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family health (1300 591 494)

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

Other maternity hospitals near the Sunshine Coast

• Buderim Private Hospital Private
• Caboolture Hospital Public
• Redcliffe Hospital Public
• North West Private Hospital Private
• Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Public

See all Queensland birthing hospitals.

Sunshine Coast University Hospital maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against Sunshine Coast Health on 19 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.