At Mercy Hospital for Women we recognise that expectant mothers have differing needs and that you want the type of care that best suits your individual circumstances.
Standard Care
If you choose this model of care, you will attend the hospital's Outpatient Clinic for your antenatal care.Your baby will be born in one of the hospital's new birthing suites, where you will be attended by a highly skilled team of obstetricians, registrars and midwives on duty at the time.
Shared Care
If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy, your care can be shared between MercyHospital for Women and an accredited general practitioner or accredited community health centre midwife.You will see your local doctor or midwife for most of your antenatal care and visit our outpatient clinic for key check-ups. Your baby will be born in one of the hospital's new birthing suites, where you will be attended by a highly skilled team of obstetricians, registrars and midwives on duty at the time.After leaving hospital, you will return to your local doctor or midwife for postnatal care.
Midwives Clinic
This option is available if women have an uncomplicated pregnancy and would like to be cared for by highly qualified midwives. During the birth of the baby, women are attended by the hospital midwives. The hospital medical officers and consultant obstetrician are available for advice and assistance to manage complications should they arise. Midwives' Clinics are offered at Heidelberg, the PANCH Clinic Preston, & the Ivanhoe Women's Clinic.
Team Maternity Care
Team Maternity Care is an opportunity to be cared for by a team of midwives in collaboration with a team of doctors. The team provides care during pregnancy, birth and in hospital after birth of the baby. Women see a team midwife for most of the antenatal care and a doctor for some specific visits throughout pregnancy. This model of care offers morning, afternoon and evening clinics. If complications occur during pregnancy the Team Midwives can continue to provide care with increased input from the doctors.
This type of care will increase the chance of women knowing their caregiver in labour and in the postnatal ward, because the midwives work in all of these areas. As part of this service, women can contact a team midwife with queries or concerns during the pregnancy.
Family Birth Centre
Our spacious Family Birth Centre rooms also have large ensuite bathrooms.
If your pregnancy is uncomplicated and you would like to give birth in a nurturing, midwifery led environment supported by your family and the friends, the Family Birth Centre may be an option.
The centre has four double beds in large single rooms where women can receive all their antenatal, birthing and postnatal care within the centre. Flexible times, including evening and weekend clinics are offered for antenatal care and the midwives in the Family Birth Centre work with women to make each pregnancy a personal experience, incorporating individuality and birth plans where possible.
With minimal equipment and intervention, you are free to have your baby in the way that best suits you and your partner.
Mothers in the Family Birth Centre are usually keen to go home to the support of their family as soon as possible; most mothers stay between 18 and 36 hours after giving birth.A midwife from the hospital will then visit you and your baby at home.
Talk to your obstetrician or phone the Family Birth Centre on (03) 8458 4082.
Team Maternity Care 
