Birthing in the NT

June 2025 saw a significant change to the maternity options available to all families in the Top End with the cessation of private maternity services at Darwin Private Hospital (DPH). Despite this, the options for safe & personalised care have actually increased for families as a result of actions taken by NT Health and DPH.

Safety

It is important to highlight that Royal Darwin Hospital remains the safest place to give birth in the NT. RDH was the location all expectant mothers who were experiencing complications pre, during & post-delivery were transferred to, regardless of whether they were a private or public patient. Some women will need to go interstate for complex or high-risk pregnancies: but this is no change from when DPH was operating maternity services.

Whilst RDH is a busy service – with an average of 2000 deliveries per year – it is well positioned to absorb the additional 300 births that were performed at DPH without impacting the care delivered by the excellent team of midwives and obstetricians. The ward has undergone a minor refurbishment as part of the DPH change.

Maternity options

In response to the change in available service options, the NT Government has been working to identify additional mechanisms to enhance delivery options for Top End families. In addition to obstetrician & midwife services at RDH these include:

• Increasing the number of GPs who provide ‘Shared Care’. This is where specially trained GPs provide antenatal services in their general practice. They have regular touch points with the RDH maternity services to make sure everything is progressing well prior to delivery at RDH delivery suite.

• Providing access to privately practicing midwives who work with mothers in a range of settings to provide midwife-led care. This includes home birth & delivery suite options.

• More exciting for Top End families is the development of new post-natal options. The two key changes are:

  • Go Home Sooner Package

  • Hotel Retreat Package

Go Home Sooner Package

For private patients who are well after delivery, this package allows you to escape the hustle & bustle of the hospital ward to give midwife support at home for up to 10 days after giving birth. This is double the amount of time traditionally given to mothers whilst admitted to DPH. This support includes:

- Daily midwife visits

- 24/7 midwife support line - A gift hamper with luxuries for Mum and baby

- One-off cleaning service across bathrooms, kitchens and living areas.

- Meals package home delivered, with food sensitivity options.

Hotel Retreat Package

For private patients who are well after delivery, this package allows you to escape the hustle & bustle of the hospital ward for 4 nights of comfort in a private suite at the Mercure Resort Airport Darwin.

A private suite including king size bed, and en-suite bathroom, Kitchenette, Room service and dining for parents, Baby change table, baby bath, baby bed and a commemorative newborn wrap and skin care gift, Nappies and baby wipes, Towels and linen, including any extras required for post-birth recovery, A fold out couch, accommodating additional space for partners and other small children is included.

Choosing your care model

Whilst one option for maternity care has disappeared – others have become available because of this. The services available are as safe, and just as focused on providing families with the best possible birthing experience. 

Families often value stability (knowing the same people, fewer surprises). Midwifery group practice or team midwifery can give that continuity. Shared care with GP is also a fantastic model if you have a great GP (hint!). Obstetrician-led care often is more intervention ready, which can be reassuring in some cases – this is still available through RDH.

Remember that sometimes your choice is taken away from you because events unfold that put mum, baby or both at significant risk of harm.

Written by Dr Pete Zimmermann

Published November 2025

For more information - talk to your GP.

Or look at the NT Health ‘Pregnancy, birthing & child health for the Top End’ via: https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/pregnancy-birthing-and-child-health/pregnancy-and-birthing-services-in-the-top-end