Birthing services in the Top End

There are several pregnancy care options for you if you live in the Top End.

Antenatal clinic

You will find the antenatal clinic on the eighth floor of the Royal Darwin Hospital.

You will need to check in at reception when you arrive.

Clinic hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

For more information on the antenatal clinic call (08) 8922 6707. Read about the antenatal clinic.

Day pregnancy assessment service (DPAS)

If you develop any complications during your pregnancy, you may need extra monitoring and care.

Your doctor from the antenatal clinic may refer you here.

You can find DPAS in the delivery suite on the sixth floor of Royal Darwin Hospital.

For more information on the day pregnancy assessment service call (08) 8922 8643.

Delivering your baby

You will need to attend the delivery suite when in labour.

Your health and pregnancy will be assessed before being admitted.

You can deliver your baby in one of the following locations.

Delivery suite

You will find the delivery suite on the sixth floor of the Royal Darwin Hospital. It has six birth rooms, showers, toilets and two baths.

All women with high risk pregnancies and labours will have their baby here.

If you have a normal risk pregnancy, you can use the bath for pain relief or birth.

Darwin birth centre

You will find the Darwin birth centre on the ground floor of the Royal Darwin Hospital. It has two birth rooms, each with a bath and toilet.

All women with normal risk pregnancies and labours can use the birth centre.

You can use water in the bath during labour as a pain relief option.

You can choose to have a waterbirth if agreed with your doctor and midwife.

After delivering your baby

If you have a normal risk pregnancy and birth you can choose to:

• go home four hours after birth with follow up care from the postnatal home visiting midwives
• or you can stay on the maternity ward (6A) for up to 48 hours.

If you have a high risk pregnancy and birth you will need to stay in the maternity ward for 3 to 5 days.

For more information on the delivery suite/birth centre call (08) 8922 8688.

Concerns during your pregnancy

You can call the delivery suite at any time day or night after 20 weeks of pregnancy and talk to a midwife about:

• your baby not moving normally
• bleeding from your vagina
• fluid leaking from your vagina
• vaginal loss that is different from your normal loss
• stomach pain
• bad headache or changes to your vision
• you are very concerned about your health or pregnancy.

Maternity ward (6A)

If you are admitted to hospital after you have given birth, you will stay in the maternity ward on the sixth floor.

You and your baby will have health checks by doctors, midwives and nurses. They will talk to you about:

• breastfeeding
• caring for your new baby
• post-birth contraception.

Your length of your stay will depend on the type of birth and personal circumstances.

You will be discharged soon after the birth.

You can arrange for a midwife to visit your home.

Your midwife will help you adjust to mothering your baby at home.

Visiting hours

You are only allowed two visitors at a time.

You are not allowed to have partners or family members stay overnight.

Your rest is important.

Visiting hours are:

• 10am to 1pm
• 1pm to 3pm - partners only
• 3pm to 8pm.

Discharge

You and your baby will have a complete health check before discharge.

Your midwife will discuss any follow up appointments needed with you.

Your doctors and midwives will discuss contraception options before you leave.

For more information on the maternity ward call (08) 8922 8666.

Postnatal home visiting service

After you and your baby are discharged a midwife will visit you at home.

Your midwife will provide breastfeeding support and postnatal care to you.

Postnatal home visiting midwives work seven days a week.

How often the midwives visit you will depend on you and your baby's needs.

Live remote?

Your midwife can visit you at your accommodation before you travel home.

Your midwife will discuss your continuing care when you are back at home.

You can access follow up care from midwives and child health nurses at your community clinic.

You and your baby must have a six week post-birth check-up.

To arrange an appointment contact your general practitioner (GP) or community care centre.

For more information on the postnatal home visiting service in Darwin call (08) 8922 6141.