North Shore Private Maternity Unit at North Shore Private Hospital is a world-class, purpose-designed
19/11/2025
Pre eclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy marked by high blood pressure and possible organ impact during pregnancy. Know the symptoms so you can seek help early:
⚠️Symptoms include:
• High blood pressure
Headaches that are difficult to treat or do not go away
• Swelling in hands, face or feet
• Blurred or changed vision or light sensitivity
• Upper belly pain or nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden weight/fluid gain
Reporting these early are essential.
Talk to your midwife or obstetrician if you notice any of these signs—or if you’ve had high blood pressure before or are expecting multiples.
It is also possible to have pre-eclampsia without symptoms, so if you have questions or you are concerned, contact your midwife or obstetrician.
It is also possible to have pre-eclampsia without symptoms, so if you have questions or you are concerned, contact your midwife or obstetrician.
Early detection = safer pregnancy for you and bub.
16/11/2025
🌸 Today we recognise World Prematurity Day – a time to raise awareness of the 1 in 10 babies born prematurely worldwide, and to acknowledge the strength of these tiny fighters and their families.
At Ramsay Health Care, our maternity teams work closely with highly skilled neonatologists, neonatal nurses, paediatricians and midwives to provide specialised care for babies who need a little extra support at the start of life.
To all the parents navigating the journey of premature birth – we see your strength, resilience and love. 💜
13/11/2025
Babies feed for many reasons: hunger, comfort, growth. It’s common for newborns to feed 8 to 12 times per 24 hours.
✅ Feeding cues may include stirring, rooting, hands to mouth. Don’t wait for crying
🕰 Some feeds are quick. Some are long. Some are close together.
Following your baby’s cues (instead of the clock) helps establish a healthy milk supply and supports responsive feeding.
10/11/2025
CMV is a common virus that’s usually harmless but if it’s caught during pregnancy, it may affect your baby’s hearing or development. Simple hygiene steps can help keep you and your bub safe:
• Wash hands thoroughly for ≥ 15 seconds after handling children, nappies or dummies
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, utensils or kisses on the lips with young children
• Clean toys, bottles and surfaces regularly
Routine CMV testing isn’t standard in Australia, but if you work with young children or feel unwell, talk to your midwife or obstetrician about screening
Prevention is powerful. These steps help reduce the risk so you can focus on growing your family, safely.
07/11/2025
There’s no perfect way to give birth or feed your baby.
At Ramsay, we offer guidance, not pressure, so you can make informed choices that feel right for you and your baby.
Whether you’re hoping for an unmedicated birth or an elective caesarean, our team is here to support your journey.
28/10/2025
They say it takes a village – and it really does.
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re not coping. It means you’re human.
💛 Ask your partner to share the feeding routine. Nappy changes and burping can take time during feeding too.
💛 Say yes when someone offers to cook
💛 Let a friend hold your baby while you shower
💛 Reach out when you need to talk
Let’s normalise leaning on others. You deserve rest, support and connection.
24/10/2025
The first few weeks after birth can feel like a blur of feeding, crying, and adjusting. Here’s what’s normal to expect:
🩸 Vaginal bleeding (lochia) that tapers over a few weeks
💧 Breast fullness or leaking as milk comes in
😢 Emotional ups and downs – especially in week one
😖 Afterpains or cramps
🤰 A postpartum belly – recovery takes time
Every body recovers differently. If something doesn’t feel right, check in with your GP or midwife. There’s no such thing as a silly question.
22/10/2025
A birth plan is a helpful way to share your preferences for labour, birth, and after-birth care.
Here’s what you might want to include:
👥 Support people
💉 Pain relief options (e.g. gas, TENS, epidural)
🎶 Preferences for lights, sounds or scents
✂️ Your views on interventions (induction, forceps, emergency caesarean)
👶 Skin-to-skin, cord clamping or who cuts the cord
🍼 Feeding preferences – breast, bottle or mixed
🧘♀️ Any spiritual, cultural or personal requests
Your plan isn’t a contract – it’s a conversation starter. Your team will work with you to adjust as needed, with your safety and comfort at the centre.
15/10/2025
We know every parent’s journey is different.
That’s why we take the time to understand you, not just your pregnancy.
From your first antenatal appointment to the moment you meet your baby, our maternity care is designed around you.
We’ll ask what matters to you.
We’ll listen without judgement.
We’ll tailor care to your needs, whether you’re hoping for a calm birth or a planned caesarean.
Because this isn’t just any birth. It’s your birth.
13/10/2025
After birth, your baby’s instincts are strong. If placed skin-to-skin, many newborns will naturally seek the breast and begin to feed in the first hour.
This first feed:
🤱 Helps regulate your baby’s temperature, heart rate and breathing
🌿 Encourages bonding and early milk supply
🍼 Supports a calm and confident start to breastfeeding
Your Ramsay midwife will support you with that very first feed. There’s no rush, just connection.
08/10/2025
Not sure if your newborn is hungry? These subtle cues often appear before the cry.
👶 Early feeding signs include:
• Rooting (turning toward the breast or bottle)
• Sucking or lip smacking
• Hands near the mouth
• Gentle grizzling or stirring
Crying is actually a late sign of hunger. Offering a feed earlier can make for a smoother experience for both you and baby.
Your midwives are here to support you as you learn your baby’s unique cues and rhythms.
07/10/2025
When it’s time to push, you've got options. Some positions to try:
🪑 Squatting (with or without support)
🧎 All fours – great for comfort and rotation – you can do this on a mat or on the bed!
🛌 Side-lying for a gentler approach
🧍♀️ Standing
Your midwife or obstetrician will guide and support you based on what’s safest and most effective in the moment.
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North Shore Private together with our community welcomes over 2,500 babies each year!
Our Maternity Team, led by our very experienced Clinical Manager, Stephanie Virgona and postnatal Nursing Unit Manager (NUM), Michelle Daniels, take pride in patient safety and wellness. North Shore Private is proud to have such a collaborative team of Obstetricians, Paediatricians, Midwives, Social Workers and Lactation experts to ensure you have a very special pregnancy and birthing experience. In the event of your baby requiring special care, our Special Care Nursery is well equipped to take care of your baby.
“North Shore Private is a wonderful environment to have your baby. We pride ourselves on being able to accommodate individual needs through pregnancy, birth, postnatal care and through the early stages of parenting and family life together.” says Michelle.
“Our skillful, caring Midwives, with the help of our lactation specialists, educators and doctors is what I believe makes our maternity unit exceptional.”
Join us on one of our next Maternity Tours and see why North Shore Private’s Maternity department exceeds its reputation.
Maternity Tours
Are you planning a pregnancy or deciding where to have your baby?
We welcome you to join us for a guided maternity tour to see what makes us so unique and a leader in Maternity Services in Sydney. The guided tours are free and run by our Maternity Customer Service team. The tours include our luxurious new birthing unit, postnatal ward and nursery. The Maternity tours run for approximately 15 minutes where we can answer any questions you may have and you will have the opportunity to meet our fabulous midwives and staff.
Tours are run at North Shore Private Hospital every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1.00pm, Thursday at 6.00pm and Saturdays at 1.00pm and 2.00pm.
We also now offer maternity tours and childbirth and parenting classes conducted in Mandarin. The Mandarin speaking tours are run monthly on Tuesday at 2pm.
Please book one of our tours online or call our Maternity Customer Relations team on 02 8425 3387 to arrange a time.
