RBWH Birth Centre Celebrates 30th Birthday

On Monday 16 June 2025, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) Birth Centre celebrated 30 years of bringing tiny Queenslanders into the world.

Over the past three decades, the Birth Centre midwives have delivered more than 10,000 babies using a natural, family-centred approach to childbirth.

For low-risk pregnancies, the Birth Centre model of care is considered the gold standard in pregnancy care and has been proven to provide the best outcomes for women and babies, all available free within the public health system.

Women who choose to have their pregnancy care through the Birth Centre Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) program are connected with a small team of midwives who care for them throughout their entire pregnancy, birth and early post-partum period.

In contrast to a regular maternity care model, the Birth Centre ensures one of the midwives from the team is there for the birth, providing continuity of care and a sense of trust and confidence for the birthing mother and family.

The Birth Centre itself is set up to resemble a home-style environment complete with a queen bed and bathtub, rather than a hospital room, allowing birthing women to feel comfortable and free to surrender to the birthing process.

RBWH Acting Midwifery Unit Manager – Midwifery Group Practice Lisa Garland said the milestone celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable contribution the Birth Centre team has had on both women and babies in Queensland.

“We are now beginning to see babies who were born in the Birth Centre many years ago having babies here themselves, so it’s really special to see things coming full circle,” Lisa said.

“Our midwives have the immense privilege of being involved in what is often the most special day of a family’s life, and this is something we are grateful for every day.

“Not only do we support our women and families throughout their pregnancy and birth, but we also visit them in their home for six weeks postpartum. The relationships our midwives form with their patients is truly something special and we are incredibly proud of the service we offer.”

RBWH Birth Centre Midwife Sarah Clark has experienced both sides of the Birth Centre, having birthed two babies there and now working as a midwife in the Midwifery Group Practice after recently completing her studies.

“It is a dream come true working in the Birth Centre team alongside midwives who share the same passion for care,” Sarah said.

“My experience having my first baby Harry through the Birth Centre inspired me to want to care for women in a continuity model of care.

“The confidence and trust in my body that the Birth Centre evoked in me should be something that is available to every birthing mother.”

RBWH Birth Centre patient Prue has had three babies in the Birth Centre over the past 11 years and is currently 34-weeks pregnant with her fourth baby.

“I have had the privilege of working with the same midwife, Marion, for all four of my pregnancies,” Prue said.

“The continuity of care is amazing, and as a nurse myself, I feel confident that I can have a minimal intervention birth while also having the safety of major quaternary hospital facilities just down the hallway.

“I would never choose any other maternity care option.”