How Does Maternity Care Work In Australia?
PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OPTIONS
Antenatal clinic: located within a public hospital this is a clinic where you will attend your antenatal check ups and appointments. This clinic can also refer you to any medical specialists if need be.
Midwives clinic: these clinics are either located within a public hospital or birth centre although sometimes these clinics may be located in a community setting such as inside a community health care center. The midwives who work in this clinic take care of women who are considered to have a low risk or “normal” pregnancy, however if you do develop any health concerns over the duration on your pregnancy the midwives here can refer you see a Dr and will continue to work closely with this Dr to ensure you receive the best possible care.
GP shared care: This model of care allows you to have your antenatal appointments with your GP, if this is something that they offer, many women choose this option if they have a strong and trusting relationship with their GP. If you do choose this it is important to know that you will still need to attend some check ups at the antenatal clinic. This is an option for women who are considered as having a low risk pregnancy. If your doctor doesn’t offer this then the hospital can give you a list of GPs who participate in this type of care, the benefit of this is being able to build a relationship with a GP who is able to care for you and your baby during your pregnancy, during the postpartum period but also into the future for many years to come, including subsequent births.
Midwife continuity of care programs : These programs allow you to have the same person care for you throughout the duration of your pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum period. This type of care is broken down into
Caseload midwifery / midwifery group practice - this care program places you with one midwife who will care for you for the entire duration of your pregnancy, will be the one who is present during your labour and birth and will do you postpartum check ups, this midwife will also have 2 back-up midwives who you will get to meet just incase she is unable to attend any of your appointments or the birth.
Team Midwifery - Also a continuity of care situation but in this program you will be taken care of by a small group of midwives who you will get to know over the duration of your pregnancy and at least one be available to attend your labour and birth. These appointments are done through the hospital's antenatal clinic.
PRIVATE HEALTH CARE OPTIONS
Private obstetrician and GP obstetrician - Your obstetrician works in the hospital setting although you will also have antenatal appointments with them at their office, sometimes the obstetrician work with hospital midwives who may cover some of your check ups and who will care for you during your labour. Your obstetrician should be available for the birth of your baby and will continue your care 6 weeks after birth. Private obstetricians may only work at a few hospitals so make sure you know which of these hospitals are suitable for you.
Private midwife -Some midwives practice privately, these midwives are hired by you and attend to all your medical needs during your pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum period. Private midwives are used for home birth settings as currently in NSW these practitioners do not have hospital privileges although many do have medicare provider number which means you are able to get a medicare rebate for some of the cost associated with this.
PLACES WHERE WE CAN BIRTH
Hospital - Both public and private options available, see above for modules of care. This option means you will birth in the maternity unit for your hospital of choice.
Birth Centers - A birth center is a healthcare facility designed for labour and birth, these facilities are designed to have more of a “homebirth” feel to them and are structured under more of a “wellness” model than a “medical” model. This choice is only suitable for women who have had an uncomplicated pregnancy.
- Here is a list of the maternity hospitals/birth centers available in the Sydney metropolitan/east/north shore areas.
RPA – Royal Prince Alfred Hospital-Missenden Rd, Camperdown, 2050 ph: (02) 9515 6111 - Public hospital: public, private and birth centre
Prince of Wales Private Hospital- Barker Street, Randwick, 2031 ph: 02 9650 4000 - Public hospital: public and private care
Royal Hospital for Women- Barker Street, Randwick, 2031 ph: 02 9382 6111 - Public hospital: public, private and birth centre. *Accredited with Baby Friendly Health Initiative.
North Shore Private Hospital- Westbourne Street, St Leonards, 2065 ph: 02 8425 3000 - Private hospital: private care only
Royal North Shore Hospital-Pacific Hwy, St Leonards, 2065 ph: 02 9926 7111 - Public hospital: public, private and birth centre.
The Mater- Rocklands Rd, North Sydney, 2060 ph: 02 9900 7300 - Private care and birth centre.
St George Hospital- Gray St, Kogarah, 2217 ph: 02 9113 1111 - Public hospital: public, private and birth centre. *Accredited with Baby Friendly Health Initiative.
*The role of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding
https://bfhi.org.au/ for more information
At Home- This is where you will labour and birth at home, you should have a registered midwife or doctor accompany you during this type of birth and homebirth is only recommended for women who have had a healthy pregnancy and no complications during any previous births. Some public hospitals offer homebirth so if you are looking for this option but don’t want to hire a private midwife you can ask your hospital’s antenatal clinic for more information. For more info on homebirth, contact the Australian College of Midwives (NSW) on (02) 9281 9522, or Homebirth Access Sydney on (02) 9501 0863 or visit www.homebirthsydney.org.au
Freebirth - Freebirth or unassisted birth is exactly that, this is a birth where there will not be any medically trained professionals in attendance, it will just be you, your baby and anyone else who you wish to have present such as your birthing partner or children.
It is important to know that you can change your care provider at any time during your pregnancy to help accommodate your birthing choices which may change over the duration of your pregnancy.
