[Missmarymack]

I rang the Mercy birth centre a few months ago when we moved to Melbourne and the nurse on the phone told me that the birth centre does not actually have a catchment area (although the hospital does). She said this is because they know there are not many birth centres around so they don't want to limit people to the maternity ward if they really want to use a birth centre.

However, the friends I have told this to think it is very unlikely that this is the case. Has anyone been to the Mercy birth centre while living outside the hospital catchment area? I really want to go to a birth centre (as I did while living interstate for DD1), but I don't fall into the catchment area for any of them

[3_for_me]

That is correct. The birth centre is lovely, I have had two of my children there and I highly recommend it!

[MissM86]

My friend gave birth there and I was her birth support person- she lived in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. There is no catchment for the Mercy birth centre although there ARE catchments for birth centres elsewhere, including Monash. As long as you are prepared to travel there, they will take you.

[vitaechel]

My sister had 2 of her kids there and both times she was well away from the city. I was support person both times and it really was a lovely hospital (much better experience than mine at RWH). The second time she had to be moved into maternity area due to needing an Epidural, but that worked out fine anyway. This was years ago tho - so I don't know how its changed.

[Missmarymack]

Thankyou all so much for your replies - I am thrilled to hear that I should be able to get in! Woo!

[Tesseract]

I would go with what the people at the Birth Centre told you, rather than what your friends assume!

I had my DD there, it was great

[Missmarymack]

I would go with what the people at the Birth Centre told you, rather than what your friends assume!

I had my DD there, it was great

I know I know!! I was starting to second guess what I had heard because I was so scared about not being able to get into a birth centre! Ridiculous!

Thanks again everyone for your reassurance - you have made my day!

[WaitForIt]

I had a bit of a mix-up when I booked in there, and live outside the catchment. When I phoned the main bookings line, they didn't know that the birthing centre has no catchment and advised me incorrectly. To cut a long story short, if that happens to you call up the birthing centre directly.

Also make sure you call asap (I think I phoned around 5w) in case you happen to be due in a popular month.

[soontobegran]

Also make sure you call asap (I think I phoned around 5w) in case you happen to be due in a popular month.

This^
Most bookings are made at 4-5 weeks gestation. Months from August through to November are notoriously busy.

[ubermum]

Yep, no catchment, but you must be very low risk. That means no vbacs, no medication for any conditions like depression, no pre-existing conditions. They are very strict.