Maternity
Rockhampton Hospital offers quality maternity service to all patients, both public and private. We are the main referral hospital for Central Queensland and deliver more than 1200 babies each year.
We provide care for low, medium and high risk patients. You have a number of options for your maternity care including:
- private care with an obstetrician or a midwife
- sharing your care between GP and hospital
- midwifery group practice or
- total hospital care for higher risk women.
Our maternity unit has:
- Five birth suites
- 15 bed antenatal/postnatal ward
- Three assessment unit rooms
- Special Care Nursery
Antenatal clinics
Antenatal midwifery appointments are offered five days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday).
You can select a specific day for your appointments so that you can see the same two midwives throughout your antenatal journey.
If you require obstetric appointments during your pregnancy, these are available five days a week (Monday – Friday). You will have the continuity of a specialist overseeing your care.
Antenatal classes
We offer a four week antenatal education program. The classes are designed for women who are around 30 weeks pregnant. Please speak to your midwife about booking in for these classes.
Classes are held on Thursday nights (commencing the first Thursday of the month), from 6:30pm – 8.30pm at Rockhampton Hospital. Topics include:
- how to look after yourself during pregnancy
- signs of labour and when to come to hospital
- breastfeeding hints and tips
- tour of the maternity ward
When to come to hospital
Please come to the maternity unit immediately if:
- your waters have broken
- you have bleeding from the vagina
- you are having regular pains or contractions 5-10 minutes apart
- you have severe abdominal pain
- there are any changes in your baby’s movements. For example, if the movements are less frequent, more than usual or if you have any other concerns around your baby’s movements.
Please phone the maternity unit before coming in, if you have time.
Photographs and video
You are encouraged to bring a camera to capture special memories. If you wish to photograph/video the birth please speak with the midwife or doctor caring for you.
While we aim to make this a positive experience for you, please understand your midwife or doctor may not wish to be included in images of your birth.
