Choosing your maternity care
We understand that pregnancy is an exciting time for you and your family, which is why we offer several options for maternity care to meet your individual needs.
When your GP confirms your pregnancy, they will send a referral to Mater Mothers Hospital’s Antenatal Clinic. We aim to review and process referrals within two weeks. We will also need to assess if you have any other medical issues. Due to demand, there may be delays to our processes. Please contact your GP if you have any concerns about your referral.
Once your referral has been approved you will then receive confirmation and details of your first antenatal clinic appointment. We also ask that you complete an online antenatal history form so that your midwife has all of your information before your appointment. You can choose to have your appointments in person or via telehealth
At this initial appointment you can discuss your preferred option for maternity care with the midwife. Please continue to see your GP while waiting for your first appointment with us.
Understanding and managing your maternity care
Your choice of care will be affected by:
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your wishes
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complications that arose in a previous pregnancy
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any medical conditions that you have
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conditions that may arise in this pregnancy
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whether you live within our Antenatal Clinic catchment.
Mater Mothers’ Hospital provides the following choices for your maternity care:
General Practitioner (GP) shared care
Many GPs with a special interest in maternity care have completed further education to provide Shared Care with Mater Mothers’ Hospital. If there are no complications with your pregnancy, your GP can provide your antenatal care from their practice. This is beneficial if your GP will be the main health carer for you and your family after your baby is born.
During your pregnancy, your GP will be able to get to know you and your family. You will visit the hospital early in your pregnancy and again at 36 weeks to meet with Mater midwives for regular antenatal check-ups. You will then continue your care with your GP until your baby’s due date. If your baby has not been born one week after this, you will return to the hospital to discuss plans for induction of labour.
If any complications arise during your pregnancy, your GP will refer you to a Mater Mothers’ Hospital obstetrician.
Antenatal clinic
Our Mater midwives are committed to providing you with specialised care, education, advice and support throughout your pregnancy journey. Through Mater Mothers’ Hospital’s antenatal clinic, we offer several midwifery options, best suited to your individual needs. Our clinics are available at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane, as well as through our Community Clinics at Inala, Norman Park and Brookwater.
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CHAMP Clinic—a service specifically designed for women whose pregnancy may be affected by the use of recreational or prescription drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.
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Women with special needs—if you have any special needs, such as a disability, please let us know so our midwives can discuss specific options with you, and plan accordingly for your pregnancy and birth.
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Young women—at Mater Mothers’ Hospital we will provide young pregnant women with antenatal care in a relaxed, informal atmosphere at Coorparoo. You will be introduced to our team of doctors and midwives, who will provide continuity of care throughout your pregnancy and early parenthood.
Midwifery group practice
Mater Mothers’ Hospital Midwifery Group Practice is designed to ensure that you receive dedicated, consistent care throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth, and during the early weeks after your baby is born with a home visit. You will be looked after by a dedicated midwife, who will get to know you very well and provide care in consultation with you and your family. Your midwife will also be support by their team through the Midwifery Group Practice.
The midwives in the group practice work closely with Mater Mothers’ Hospital’s obstetric team, so that you will receive specialist care when or if needed. The program cares for women who are generally well and have little risk of complications.
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Young women—at Mater Mothers’ Hospital we will provide young pregnant women with antenatal care in a relaxed, informal atmosphere at Coorparoo. You will be introduced to our team of doctors and midwives, who will provide continuity of care throughout your pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
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Indigenous women—The Birthing in Our Community (BIOC) program provides maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families. BIOC offers care from midwives, obstetricians, family support workers and other specialists in partnership with Mater, the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Care Service (ATSIHCS). Antenatal clinics are located at Salisbury Mums and Bubs Centre, and Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
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Refugee Maternity Service—women from a Refugee background are invited to attend midwifery maternity care at Mater Mothers’ Hospital or through the Midwifery Group Practice model at Inala. This service is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive maternity care for refugee women in a supportive environment. You will be cared for by our multidisciplinary team of midwives, obstetricians, social workers and interpreters.
If you experience complications during your pregnancy, or have pre-existing health conditions, you may be required to receive specialist care by doctors or other health professionals. Our specialist team will work collaboratively together with you, to provide you with individualised care.
Developing a birth plan
Many couples wish to develop and share their plan for labour and birth with their maternity team. While staff at Mater Mothers’ Hospital would encourage you to consider your preferences for this special time, it is important to discuss these with your midwife prior to going into labour so that any details which might incur a risk to you or your baby can be fully discussed before labour begins.
Because labour and birth involve so many variables, it is not possible to predict exactly what will happen, and you should be reassured that the Mater Mothers’ Hospital team are committed to providing the best care which is safe for both you and your baby. Sometimes, in emergency situations this may mean your preferences may not be able to be followed exactly. Wherever possible we would endeavour to discuss the reasons for this with you to facilitate informed consent and your understanding of events.
Coming to hospital for the birth of your baby
During the final stages of your pregnancy, we highly recommend that you and your support person take time to familiarise yourselves with our hospital and where to go.
For more details view Having your baby at Mater Mothers’ Hospital
We’ve also created a handy list of what to pack in your hospital bag. You can find it, as well as other childbirth online resources, here: