Cairns Hospital’s successful birth centre to be expanded with fourth suite

CAIRNS Hospital’s long-awaited Family Birth Centre has been such a success, a fourth room is being planned for expectant mothers.

The Cairns Hospital Family Birth Centre is celebrating its first birthday with the very first baby born in the centre, Gianna Mae Vozzo, visiting the facility with mum Julie. PICTURE: JUSTIN BRIERTY

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CAIRNS Hospital’s long-awaited Family Birth Centre has been such a success, a fourth room is being planned for expectant mothers.

The centre, which officially opened its doors 12 months ago, celebrated its first birthday yesterday welcoming back mothers and their babies.

The facility, the opening of which was delayed by a year, was part of the $456.6 million redevelopment of the hospital.

Consisting of three suites with beds and birthing baths — each one has a nature theme including the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforest, and the outback — the centre is designed for women to have a more natural, home-style birth.

There have been 58 births at the centre since August 1 last year.

Birth suite manager Jo Taylor anticipates more demand for the service, with as many as 11 babies born in the facility in just one month.

Julie Vozzo with daughter Gianna Mae one year ago when Gianna Mae was the first baby born at the Family Birth Centre. Picture: BRENDAN RADKE

“Women are wanting a space to birth that’s quiet and similar to their home, but also within easy reach of the facilities in case of complications,” Ms Taylor said.

“I think, as women grow in confidence, meeting other women who have birthed here, happily, and seeing that it all works, I think we’ll be seeing more women here.”

She said a fourth room could be opened in the near future, to meet increased demand.

“It’s a long while down the track, but we haven’t got a room with a beach theme yet, maybe a lovely Palm Cove vista or something like that,” she said.

Among the mums and bubs helping celebrate the centre’s birthday was Julie Vozzo, whose daughter Gianna Mae was the first to be born in the facility.

The mother-of-three, described the “Reef” room where Gianna Mae was born as akin to a hotel suite.

“Women can go in, they can be relaxed and feel nice and calm while they give birth,” she said.

“You can feel like you are at home, and then go straight home after.

“It’s so much easier.”

Originally published as Cairns Hospital’s successful birth centre to be expanded with fourth suite