Wollongong Hospital maternity guide

Wollongong Hospital is a public hospital in Wollongong, in the Illawarra, run by Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. It provides a level 5 maternity service and a level 4 Neonatal Unit, and about 2,500 babies are born there each year. If you are more than 20 weeks pregnant and think you are in labour, or you have a concern, call the Birthing Unit on (02) 4222 5270 before you come in. Midwives answer 24 hours a day. For antenatal clinic appointments, call (02) 4253 4256.

Wollongong Hospital maternity at a glance

• Hospital type: Public, level 5 maternity service
• Run by: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
• In labour: Call the Birthing Unit first on (02) 4222 5270
• Pregnancy care options: Hospital clinics, GP shared care, MAPS, MGP, Binji and Boori, CHAIN
• Antenatal clinic: Level 1 (ground floor), Block D
• Birthing Unit: Level 2, Block C, refurbished in 2020
• Nursery: Level 4 Neonatal Unit for babies born from 32 weeks
• Typical stay: Home within hours for many, or 1 to 3 nights

Where is Wollongong Hospital maternity, and how do I contact it?

• Address: Wollongong Hospital, Loftus Street, Wollongong NSW 2500
• Birthing Unit: (02) 4222 5270, open 24 hours, Level 2, Block C
• Antenatal Clinic: (02) 4253 4256 or (02) 4253 4284, open 8.30am to 4.30pm, Level 1, Block D
• Maternity Ward (C2 West): (02) 4253 4201, Level 2, Block C
• Early Pregnancy Assessment Service: (02) 4253 4270, Monday to Friday, 8am to 12pm
• Hospital switchboard: (02) 4222 5000
• In labour: call the Birthing Unit before you leave home, then go to Level 2, Block C. Lifts run from the Crown Street and Loftus Street entrances.

How do I book in at Wollongong Hospital to have my baby?

Public pregnancy care at Wollongong starts with a GP referral to the Antenatal Clinic.

1. See your GP. Your GP sends a referral to the Antenatal Clinic, where it is triaged.
2. Apply for MGP if you want it. Ask your GP to mark Midwifery Group Practice as your preferred care on the referral, then email the Request for Care form to Wollongong Antenatal Services. Places are limited.
3. Wait for a call. A midwife or clerk contacts you to make your first appointment. Free interpreters are available.
4. Go to your history appointment. This first midwife visit takes about 90 minutes, at Wollongong or Shellharbour Hospital. Bring your referral, yellow antenatal card and test results.
5. Book your classes. Call the Antenatal Clinic on (02) 4253 4256 to book a free Saturday antenatal class.

What pregnancy care options does Wollongong Hospital offer?

• Midwife clinics. Pregnancy care from midwives at Wollongong Hospital or at local community centres.
• Doctors' hospital clinics. Extra medical care for pregnancies that need it.
• GP Antenatal Shared Care. Your GP and the hospital clinic share your care, and you give birth with a midwife in the Birthing Unit.
• Midwifery Antenatal and Postnatal Service (MAPS). Midwife-led care from early pregnancy until two weeks after the birth. The Birthing Unit team, not your MAPS midwife, cares for you at the birth.
• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP). Care from one known midwife and a team, with care at home for 2 weeks after the birth. Wollongong MGP also offers home birth as an option.
• Binji and Boori. For babies who will be identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Self-refer on (02) 4295 2417.
• CHAIN. A youth support clinic for mothers aged up to 24.
• Private care. The hospital also cares for patients of private obstetricians and midwives.

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

Where is the Wollongong Hospital antenatal clinic?

The Antenatal Clinic is on Level 1 (ground floor) of Block D, open 8.30am to 4.30pm. To change an appointment, call (02) 4253 4256 or (02) 4253 4284. The clinic also has a Day Assessment Unit for pregnancies after 20 weeks that need extra checks, for example high blood pressure, reduced movements or going past 40 weeks. Hospital doctors refer you if needed. Under 20 weeks, the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service on Level 2, Block C sees women with mild bleeding or pain by appointment. If you are bleeding heavily or need pain relief, go to the Emergency Department.

What is the Wollongong Hospital Birthing Unit like?

The Birthing Unit on Level 2, Block C is open 24 hours a day. A $2.2 million refurbishment in 2020 brought new assessment areas and bathrooms, more baths for women who want to use water in labour, and calmer colours. Water birth is possible for some women. You can give birth here from 32 weeks of pregnancy. If labour starts earlier, you may move to another hospital, such as the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick. Phone ahead to check how many support people you can bring. If you go home from the Birthing Unit, you need to stay at least 4 hours after the birth.

See inside: watch the tour video of the refurbished Birthing Unit (video by Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, 2020).

Does Wollongong Hospital have a special care nursery?

Yes. The Neonatal Unit is a level 4 service on Level 2, C Block, next to the Maternity Ward. It cares for babies born from 32 weeks who need extra support, such as help with breathing, feeding or jaundice. Babies usually go home from 36 weeks corrected age once they feed well, and parents can stay in a rooming-in room before discharge.

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

Most women can go home a few hours after the birth. If you need to stay, expect 1 to 2 nights after a vaginal birth and 1 to 3 nights after a caesarean. Discharge is usually at 10am. Your baby stays in your room with you on the Maternity Ward (C2 West).

What are the Wollongong Hospital maternity ward visiting hours?

The district's visiting hours page says your partner or support person and your other children can visit the Maternity Ward (C2 West) at any time between 8am and 8pm. Other visitors can come from 11am to 1pm and from 5pm to 7pm. Another hospital page lists different afternoon times, so call C2 West on (02) 4253 4201 to check before you visit.

What support is there after I take my baby home?

• Midwifery in the Home: if you go home within 3 days of the birth, a midwife may call and visit for up to 14 days. Book GP checks for you at one week and for your baby at 7 to 14 days.
• MAPS and MGP: your midwife keeps caring for you for two weeks after the birth.
• 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 the Illawarra

• Sutherland Hospital Public
• Campbelltown Hospital Public
• St George Hospital Public
• St George Private Hospital Private
• Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital Public
• Liverpool Hospital Public
• Royal Hospital for Women Public

See all New South Wales birthing hospitals.

Wollongong Hospital maternity FAQs

Hospital details checked against Illawarra Shoalhaven 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.