Yes, so long as you meet the visitor criteria. 

Queensland Health has advised that visitors are permitted to enter hospitals regardless of their vaccination status.

Queensland Health has advised that visitors are permitted to enter hospitals regardless of their vaccination status and are no longer required to check in.

Yes, so long as they meet the visitor criteria. 

Yes, so long as they meet the visitor criteria. 

Exemptions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. 

To apply for a visitor exemption in South East Queensland please email covid19response@mater.org.au.

In North Queensland, please email ExecutiveOfficer-NQ@mater.org.au

In Rockhampton, please email rmce@mater.org.au

In Mackay, please email mmce@mater.org.au

Yes, both parents may visit the Neonatal Critical Care Unit / Special Care Nursery, so long as they are feeling well. 

Please note:

• There can be up to two people at the bedside at any one time in NCCU /SCN. 
• No children other than siblings of the baby may visit.
• Visitors will not be permitted access to the NCCU / SCN, if they are feeling unwell.

Mask wearing is not compulsory in Mater hospitals.

Masks will be available for patients, visitors and staff.

Upon arrival, you will need to present to the Main Entrance of the hospital to enter.

If you live in South East Queensland and are experiencing early pregnancy bleeding or pain, or urgent pregnancy related issues please present to our Pregnancy Assessment Centre at Mater's South Brisbane campus 24 hours a day 7 days a week, or call 13HEALTH, your obstetrician or your GP for advice.

If you live in Central or North Queensland and are experiencing early pregnancy bleeding or pain, or urgent pregnancy related issues please present to your nearest emergency department, or call your obstetrician for advice.

Mater Mothers' hospitals provide an essential service and will remain open for business as usual. We have added precautions in all of our hospitals across the state to keep our women, newborns and staff safe as coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves. 

Mater Mothers' hospitals have single rooms for private patients, and shared rooms for public patients. Should a single room be required for COVID-19  specific safety precautions, our staff will advise you.

As COVID-19 continues to evolve, we are committed to providing compassionate care within the current guidelines. We have taken appropriate measures to ensure the safety of our mothers, babies, staff and the community. In line with Queensland Health recommendations, all women who are booked to give birth at Mater Mothers' hospitals should continue to do so.

If you have any questions, please speak with your obstetrician or midwife. 

If a family member shows symptoms or is unwell, they will not be allowed to visit you in hospital or be your birth partner during labour.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms you will be assessed by the medical team and a plan of care made from there.

Yes, if you and your baby are well and your healthcare team are happy for discharge. 

If you are an eligible Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane patient, you may also consider one of our Caring Continues options.

Mater understands that being home with a new baby can be overwhelming at the best of times. Therefore every effort will be made to ensure you receive a home visit from a midwife. If you are in isolation, this may be a telehealth visit instead.

Yes, our Parent Education classes are being facilitated by experienced Mater Mothers’ midwives. Find out more about our classes, and book today. 

Mater Mothers' hospitals have every precaution in place to ensure preparedness. Our maternity hospitals across the state remain fully functional. All Mater Mothers’ staff are trained professionals and work together to help protect and keep safe our patients, staff and visitors.

Follow any advice that comes from Queensland Health and particularly follow Social Distancing and hand hygiene guidelines.

Your maternity team know how to ensure you and your baby receive safe, quality care, respecting your birth plan as closely as possible.

• You are advised to attend hospital via private transport where possible, or call 13HEALTH for advice as appropriate.
• When you arrive at Mater we will undertake a health screen. If you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you will be provided with a surgical face mask, that needs to stay on until advised otherwise.
• COVID-19  testing will be arranged.

Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre offers early parenting support and guidance for Mater mums up to six months after the birth of your baby. Support can be provided to help address issues including:

• breastfeeding and feeding
• sleep and settling
• emotional wellbeing
• infant interactions
• adjusting to your new role as a parent/caregiver.

We’re also offering breastfeeding support with our experienced Lactation Consultants via telehealth, Monday to Friday. Please call our team friendly team to find out more on 07 3163 2229.

Any Mater staff member with any illness must stay at home and not come into work—this is particularly important in NCCU / SCN as any infection can be dangerous for our seriously ill and premature babies.

Infection control and hygiene practices are taken very seriously at Mater Mothers' Hospitals and particularly in NCCU / SCN. 

If you practice the measures above you are safe to visit your baby.  It is important for you and your baby to have time together and you baby needs to experience your touch, smell and/or voice. It is beneficial to both the mother's and baby's health to have skin-to-skin time.

Where possible, women who have low risk pregnancies will have either GP Shared Care or midwifery care at Mater Mother's Hospital in South Brisbane. Either way you will receive your regular checks by telehealth where a midwife or GP will contact you and ask you to take your blood pressure on a machine that you have sourced yourself (if possible).  If this is not possible, Mater has a limited supply of blood pressure machines for loan. The GP or midwife will talk to you about your baby’s growth and movements and make an assessment of your pregnancy progress.

There will be one visit to Mater at 34-37 weeks gestation, where you will be able to have an ultrasound scan to check that your baby is growing well. You will also be able to see a midwife at this time for a blood pressure check and general assessment.

Please be assured, if your pregnancy has been identified as high risk, you will still be seen face-to-face at Mater Mothers.

All women giving birth at Mater Mothers' Hospitals are cared for in a single birth suite room.  As a publicly-funded patient you may be admitted to a shared inpatient room following the birth of your baby. However, COVID-19 positive mothers will be isolated in a single room in a separate ward dedicated to caring for women with COVID-19.

Yes, waterbirths are still available at Mater Mothers' Hospitals in South East Queensland for women who are well. If you are COVID-19 positive, based on expert advice, the option of water birth is not available.  

If you are unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 and have no complications of pregnancy, you should attend your nearest Emergency Department or your GP for screening.

However, if you live in South East Queensland and are having pregnancy symptoms/complications, please present to our Pregnancy Assessment Centre at Mater's South Brisbane campus 24 hours a day 7 days a week, or call 13HEALTH, your obstetrician or your GP for advice. Please inform staff immediately on arrival.

To keep our mums, babies and staff safe, we do screen all support persons at reception. If your support person is still awaiting the results of their COVID-19 test, they will not be allowed to enter the hospital and should remain at home until the results of their tests are known.

Each case will be reviewed with your medical team to plan your care.

A discussion about the risks and benefits should take place between you and your family and the doctors caring for your baby to individualise your care.

This guidance may change as knowledge evolves.

Stay informed and read the latest announcements about COVID-19 from Queeensland Health, including up-to-date health advice.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

If your health deteriorates or you have any further questions regarding your condition, please contact your midwife or obstetrician.

Only two support people are allowed in the birthing suite. If the partner is present, only one other person is allowed.

A birthing mother who is diagnosed with COVID-19 may have up to two support people in the birthing suite, including a support person who is a close contact of the birthing mother.

No visitors are allowed in COVID-19 designated zones, beds or wards, except where the patient:

• is a child

• has a cognitive impairment or 

• has a need for a full time support person (due to frailty, self-care needs or other).

Please note: Only fully vaccinated (including booster where eligible) visitors will be permitted.

People who have had COVID-19 can be vaccinated as soon as they recover from their illness.

Vaccination may be deferred for up to 6 months as past infection reduces the risk of reinfection for at least 6 months, however vaccination should be considered by those who are:

• immunocompromised and may be at greater risk of getting COVID-19 again

• have a job that requires them to be vaccinated

• have a job that puts them at greater risk of being exposed to COVID-19.

Women who test positive for COVID-19 between their first and second doses, or between their second and booster dose, should delay their next dose until they have recovered from the illness.