Hotels for New Mothers - Maternity Wards in Plush Hotels

Australian hospitals are setting up maternity units, complete with 24 hour access to an on-site midwife, in five and four star hotels, with transfers by limousine.

Women who have uncomplicated deliveries and pregnancies will be able to move with their babies into an ocean-view suite, which can cost as much as $400 a night. There they can order meals from the hotel’s room service menu, have their partners stay over, visitors welcome at all hours and flowers automatically directed to the hotel room.  The costs will be included in obstetric cover provided by private health funds.

At rising birth rate, the growing number of cesarean sections and the closure of maternity units have put pressure on hospitals.