Birthing services in the Top End

If you are from a remote community you can stay in self-care accommodation in Katherine.

Katherine Hospital offers private, shared or midwifery care.

The maternity ward has:

• eight inpatient beds
• three birthing rooms, including one with a birthing pool.

Midwifery care at Katherine Hospital is for normal risk pregnancies and normal births.

You can self-refer to the maternity ward from 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Find out about what to bring and what you can expect at your first antenatal care appointment. You must be around 38 weeks of pregnancy to access this service.

For further information on the maternity ward call (08) 8973 9257.

Visiting hours

Visiting hours for the maternity ward are 10am to 8pm.

You should check with a midwife before visiting a mother and her baby.

Midwives clinic

The midwives clinic is held every Wednesday at the community health centre located in the Government Centre Building, 7 First Street, Katherine.

To make an appointment with the midwives clinic call (08) 8973 9389.

Referral to Royal Darwin Hospital

If you and your baby need specialist obstetric care you may be referred to the obstetric clinic at Royal Darwin Hospital.

You may need to be referred to Darwin if you have a higher risk pregnancy, for example:

• you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or greater
• you have a premature labour (labour starting before 36 weeks of pregnancy).

Childbirth education classes

If you are 30 weeks of pregnancy and over, you can attend the childbirth education classes

There are six sessions of five weekly classes held each calendar year.

For more information and to book call (08) 8973 9389.