Frequently Asked Questions
Mercy Perinatal delivers care to women with pregnancies that require specialist assessment and management. Your doctor or midwife may have referred you to our service for advice, tests, or ongoing management. Our team provides comprehensive counselling and antenatal care, as well as obstetric imaging, fetal monitoring, and prenatal procedures.
You may see a range of health professionals in our team, depending on the reason for your referral. These include a maternal fetal medicine specialist (an obstetrician with additional qualifications in high risk pregnancy and ultrasound), a midwife, a genetic counsellor, a medical geneticist, a sonographer, and/or a paediatrician.
Many women will have an ultrasound at their first visit, but others may not. If you are unsure, please ask our receptionist when you arrive. Some women will have an ultrasound in the Department of Medical Imaging, located on the same floor but with a separate reception desk, while others will have a scan performed during their clinic visit in Perinatal Medicine.
Please bring any blood tests and ultrasound results from this pregnancy with you. We usually have copies from your referring doctor or midwife, but it is always helpful to provide your own copies in case. Many women also find it helpful to bring their partner or support person with them.
Our general reception phone number for the Perinatal Department is 03 8458 4248. The Genetics Department can be contacted on 03 8458 4346 and our Fetal Surveillance Unit/ Pregnancy Day Assessment Centre on 03 8458 4267.
For medical emergencies, please ring 000.
Our Emergency Department can be contacted on 8458 4000, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Our Birth Suite can be also contacted on 8458 4058, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
The hospital is located near the corner of Burgundy Street and Studley Road, Heidelberg. Heidelberg Railway Station is located on Studley Road, 100m from the hospital.
The main entrance to Mercy Hospital for Women is located off Studley Road.
The entrance to the Emergency Department is located on Burgundy Street.
Car parking is available on site and is shared between Mercy Hospital for Women and Austin Hospital. Car parking costs are displayed at the entrances to the car park and vary depending on the length of your visit to the hospital.
A maximum daily rate of $30 applies. Remember to take your ticket with you, as you will need to pay at one of the pay stations- level 1 (Mercy Hospital for Women next to ATM, or next to Austin lift), or level B3 (Austin lift foyer) before you leave.
If you have been an inpatient for 7 days or more, or if your baby is admitted to the nursery, you may qualify for discount parking.
If you are a rural patient, you may be eligible for travel and accommodation reimbursement under the various state assistance schemes.
The Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) can be reached on Freecall: 1300737073.
NSW residents should contact the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS).
Information on travel assistance and local accommodation options can be obtained from Social Work reception on Level 3 or by phone at 03 8458 4149.