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born @ the women's

Born @ the Women's

In 2010, we are proud to be launching our Baby Alumni stories.



Were you born at the Women's? If you were, you're in great company.

Thousands of Australians have been welcomed into the world at the Women's including sport and entertainment celebrities, community leaders and famous faces from the political arena.

If you, or a loved one, were born at the Women's (or Frances Perry House), we invite you to celebrate this Mother's Day by joining our Born @ the Women's club.

We want to hear from and about our Baby Alumni! Were you one of many in your family to be born here? Perhaps you spent time in our newborn intensive care? Do you want to honour your mum on Mother’s Day by sharing some happy stories about her? Or do you want to share how you became a mum at the Women’s?

Stories will appear on this page and only your firstname will be used (please read the privacy disclaimer). To share your story please use the online form below.

the women's foundation


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(03) 8345 2954

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1300 194 955

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baby alumni name
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Baby Alumni stories


Mark James Holmes


I was born on the 2nd of October 1964 and my mum gave me away. 3 months later I was given to my new parents.They took me to Holland when I was 7 years old. In 1986 I started to look for my birthmum and I found her and also sisters and a brother. There is 1 sis missing and has been adopted as well. Her name is I believe Cristine (Cristina?) and she was born between 1962 and Jan 1964. Still looking for her. I live in Holland and have been back several times. Australia is and always will be MY country.
Ron - 26 Aug, 2010

Thomas Petterson


I was born at The Royal Womens on 6th July 1970 and was adopted in October the same year.
Then on 27th July 2007, my beautiful son Tom was also born at the Royal Women's.
All the staff were wonderful to us, and they are worth their weight in gold.
Mark - 6 Aug, 2010

Nyree


At 28 weeks pregnant with twins I was rushed from Ballarat to Melbourne after going into early labour. Born 12 weeks early Nyree weighed 2lb 11oz and Nathan 2lb 6oz. Sadly our son passed away 4 days later from a brain haemorrhage. Nyree spent a total of 12 weeks in hospital - 10 of those weeks at the Women's, many times going from the NICU to the Special Care Nursery and then back to the NICU after setbacks such as pneumonia, a staph infection and requiring blood transfusions.

Now nearly 6 years later, Nyree is a happy and healthy little girl, with not one health problem to show for her incredibly rocky start to life. My husband and I could never say just how wonderful the staff at the Women's were. Especially the NICU nurses who never left Nyree (and Nathan's) side and fought for their survival as much as anyone could ask for. The Special Care Nursery staff are a credit to their profession, so much so that we wanted to take a couple home with us when the time came to leave! Our gratitude also goes to the staff of NETS, who safely transported Nyree home to our local hospital. A huge thank you to all.
Yvette - 29 July, 2010

Olivia Rose


My father has worked at the Women's (and Frances Perry House) for many, many years so of course I was born there as was my first child. It is such a special place for me. I remember visiting patients on a Saturday morning with my father when I was very young. Lots of chocolates were consumed by both of us without my Mum knowing! My daughter Olivia was born there very early one morning and it was lovely to hear Dad's infectious laugh down the corridor with the nursing staff when he came to see her for the first time.
Carolyn - 19 July, 2010

Chase Joachim


I had bleeding problems from 12 weeks into pregnancy and was finally hospitalised at the womens at around 21.5 weeks. My son Chase was born 14 weeks early weighing 630 grams, he spent almost 10 weeks in intensive care then moved to special care where he stayed until we brought him home at 4.5 months. The staff at the womens were amazing they helped me to cope during this journey and encouraged me to do everything with my tiny baby. Chase had a very rough time while in hospital and was very sick. Now he is turning 1 this week and is a bouncing cheeky smart little man. He even has his own song and video on YouTube.
Simone - 12 July, 2010

Olivia


I went into early labor on May 2006 at about 26 weeks (this was stopped by medication). I was taken via ambulance to the Women's. After being in hospital for one week, on Sunday May 28 I gave birth at 26/6wks to a beautiful little girl Olivia Yvonne weighing 792g.

Olivia is now a very healthy and happy 4 year old. My husband and I still now cannot put into words how thankful and grateful we are to all the doctors and nurses that helped keep our daughter alive.

Olivia is a big sister now to Ben, born November 8 2010, Ben was born at full term with no complications.

Thank you for letting us tell our story and thanks for taking the time to read.
Tania & John Babic - 6 July, 2010

Adam Cail


I was admitted to the Women's at age 14 back in the early 80s and was found to have a bicornuate uterus. I had no idea just what the doctors meant when they told me I might have "high-risk" pregnancies if and when I had children.

Our first son Leon was born in East Melbourne on 14 July 2004 at 25 week's gestation and transferred to the Women's NICU. Sadly Leon died on 16 July 2004. I still can't find adequate words to express our gratitude to the Doctors and Nurses who cared for Leon and fought for his short life and for supporting us through the most traumatic period in our lives. How well-cared-for we were by the Women's is a beautiful part of our memory of that terrible time.

Our second son and Leon's little brother Adam was born @ the Women's 25 May 2010. Our care during pregancy, birth and antenatally was exceptional. The Women's enabled us to carry another high-risk pregnancy to term and produce a healthy baby who is currently a happy and healthy, allbeit cheeky, three-year old.
Cathy Zeffert & Barry Cail - 30 June, 2010

Jack


At 30 weeks, I was flown to Melbourne & taken to the Women's from NE Victoria. The following day I was delivered, producing a tiny baby boy. Jack was 4 pounds 5 ounces & spent 7 days in the NICU & 7 days in the SCN. He was then transfered back to our local hospital for 4 more weeks of hospital care. A huge thanks goes out to everyone at the Women's who made our time there special as we received endless amounts of support & care.
Shannon - 23 June, 2010

Michael Joseph McHugh


I was born at the Women's on December 29, 1949. The story from my mother is I was due to be born on Christmas day and my mother was admitted on Christmas Eve. But I didn't arrive...my mother was released on Christmas Day...had a wonderful Christmas alone with my father (my brothers & sisters had been sent to relatives during my impending birth)...I arrived on the 29th weighing 10lb, 13oz (not metric in those days).

I'm now living in Perdido Key, Florida USA having worked in 5 continents and 24 countries as a Senior Project Manager building wireless networks.
Michael - 18 June, 2010

Tom


photo courtesy of the Richmond Football Club
Thomas (Tom) Hafey MBE was born at the Women’s in August, 1931. He had an illustrious career in the VFL/AFL playing for Richmond between 1953 and 1958, and coaching Richmond (to four premierships), Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney between 1966 and 1988. Tom was an inaugural inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame and is still in great demand as a media commentator, coaching adviser and motivational speaker.
The Women's, with permission - 26 May, 2010

Emily Green


My youngest daughter Emily was born in 2002 at the Women's hospital. I was suffering from pre eclampsia. She was born 1 pound 5 ounces. I can't thank the Women's enough for the care and attention that they provided for me in the NICU unit and the special care nursery. This is an amazing hospital and the teams that work there are incredible.
Kim - 26 May, 2010

Tracey


I feel an incredible bond with the Women's, I was born here in 1960 and adopted out three weeks later. My adopted sister and two brothers were also born here and I have fond memories of dressing up and going to the hospital to pick up another baby. I later donated eggs to the IVF program here and then had two of my three boys in Frances Perry and my last son in the Women's. And have been working here for the last four years. It is a wonderful hospital which we should all be very proud of.
Tracey - 25 May, 2010

Catherine


I was born at the Royal Women's Hospital on August 20th, 1987. I was and still am the youngest of 5 children. My mother was induced before my due date due to her suffering from preclampsia. I was about 3400g (7.5 pounds in old school!). I am now a registered nurse currently working in newborn intensive and special care at the Women's, and I absolutely love my job. This is an amazing hospital that will continue its reputation as being the leading Victorian hospital for women's and babies health!
Catherine - 19 May, 2010

Michelle


I was born and adopted from the Women's in the early 60's. My birthday often falls on Mother's Day and I also work as a nurse at the Women's now!
Linda - 18 May, 2010

Tomas


I had my first son Tomas at the Women's on May 19, 2005. Me and my husband were living in Melbourne during his postgraduate studies and we chose the Women's to have our first baby. Being Argentinian and a bit homesick, we received from the nurses and midwives all the caring, patience and dedication we needed. We will never forget those long hours, the friendly faces, the comforting advice, the supporting hand. Tomas is turning 5 in a couple of days. Thanks to the Women's for such a wonderful experience!
Florencia - 18 May, 2010

Rosemary


My daughter Rosemary was born at Frances Perry House in 1990. It was my first experience of the Women's, and I remember the good humour and patience of all the nurses and midwives, and the practical support as I established breastfeeding.
Robyn - 17 May, 2010

Simone and Margo


My two daughters were born at Frances Perry House in 1988 and 1990. I was made to stay for a week even though I desperately wanted to go home, a far cry from the short stays these days! I filled in the time by scoffing chocolates and desserts, thanks to breastfeeding I didn't gain any weight! The food was delicious! Now my eldest daughter hopes to start working at the Women's when she finishes her midwifery degree this year.
Helen - 14 May, 2010

Allison


My daughter was born at the Women's hospital October 1991. She was 71/2 pounds. My mum was the first to know of her birth. My daughter is now at RMIT. My sister and I were also born at the Women's hosptal in 1960. She did not know until six weeks before we were born she was having twins. My mum had 2 sets of twins (8 CHILDREN IN 14 YEARS).
Dorothy - 8 May, 2010

Sid


My son Sid was born at The Women's in July 2009 and I felt 100% supported by all staff. The facilities were fantastic (except the overpriced cafe and carpark!!) As a nurse I am hypercritical of health care services but I can honestly say The Women's were exceptional. The antenatal appointment system fitted my time scales and the relaxed atmosphere made my pregnancy an enjoyable experience.
Caroline - 8 May, 2010

Emma


My daughter Emma was born in 2002 at Frances Perry House. I chose to give birth at the Women's knowing that I had all the back up I needed should it be required. Emma was a long awaited addition to our family and has brought us all a great deal of joy. Mother's Day is an opportunity to give thanks and celebrate being a "mother".
Lisa - 6 May, 2010

Anne


I, like my seven siblings, were all born at the Women's and I now work at the Women's!
Anne - 6 May, 2010


privacy disclaimer
The personal information requested on this form is being collected by the Royal Women’s Hospital (including the Royal Women’s Hospital Foundation) solely for the direct and related purposes of the Born at the Women’s initiative. We will not disclose this information except for the purposes for which it was collected, for a related purpose or unless specifically required by law.

You understand that the personal information provided is for the purpose of the Born at the Women’s initiative. You may apply to the Royal Women’s Hospital for access and amendment of the personal information collected. Requests for access and/or correction should be made to the Royal Women’s Hospital Privacy Officer.
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