Mums-to-be in St George will soon be able to experience top facilities, as construction of St George Hospital's new birthing unit rapidly progresses.
The multi-million dollar project will double the size of the existing birthing unit, enabling an expasion of care and privacy to the 2300 women who give birth at the hospital each year.
It includes eight new delivery suites with water immersion facilities and two new acute assessment rooms.
The unit is being built where the former Acute Services Building was housed, as it was revamped and relocated during stage 2 of the hospital's redevelopment.
The 2017 report 'Australia's Mothers and Babies', released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, reveals three quarters of hospital births are in public hospitals.
Hospital general manager Leisa Rathborne says expectant mothers have been kept centre of mind throughout the detailed design process.
"The bathtubs in each room are deep to ensure comfort, there will be grab rails to support the woman while they are labouring and the walls of the room are curved and will feature artwork," she said.
"It is exciting to think that very soon women who book in to have their babies at St George Hospital will have access to the new and improved facilities."
Oatley MP Mark Coure, who toured the site this week to see its progress, says since 2011 the Liberal Government has invested more than $700 million to the world-class facility.
"The current birthing unit at the hospital was built in 1972 under a Liberal Government and its subsequent upgrade in 1991 was funded by the Greiner Liberal Government," he said.
"Seeing the groundwork of these new modern facilities is exciting. The design of the unit was carefully put together to ensure the best experience for mothers and their newborns.
"This upgrade will allow the dedicated staff to continue to improve on the exceptional care they already provide to mothers."
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the first babies born in the new unit in 2020.
Existing operation theatres that manage more than17,500 surgeries each year will also be refurbished.
