Choosing your maternity care

Mater Mothers’ Hospital acknowledges that pregnancy is an exciting time for you and your family, and offers 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 process referrals within two weeks; however, this can take several weeks depending on how many weeks pregnant you are at the time of referral and whether or not you have any medical issues.

You will then receive a letter providing details of your first antenatal clinic appointment. 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.

Often, due to demand, there can be delays to our processes. Please contact your GP if you have any concerns about your referral.

Your choice of care will be affected by:

• your wishes
• complications that arose in a previous pregnancy
• any medical conditions that you now have
• conditions that may arise in this pregnancy
• where you reside (Antenatal Clinic Catchment Guidelines).

Mater Mothers’ Hospital provides the following choices for your maternity care:

• General Practitioner (GP) shared care
• public obstetric care
• midwifery care

Read more information about Mater Mothers’ Hospital choices for maternity care.

General Practitioner (GP) shared care

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 healthcarer 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. You will then continue care with your GP until the baby’s due date. If your baby has not been born one week after this, you will return to the hospital.

Your baby will be born in hospital. If any complications arise during your pregnancy your GP will refer you to a Mater Mothers’ Hospital obstetrician.

A list of Shared Care GPs in your area can be found here.

Obstetric care

If you experience complications during your pregnancy an obstetrician will be involved in your care and you will attend the hospital antenatal clinic to see doctors and midwives. Care from other services, such as Maternal Fetal Medicine, can be arranged if required.

View videos of some of our key specialists at Mater Mothers’ Hospitals.

Midwifery care

Mater Mothers’ Hospital midwives will provide support in hospital and community-based clinics. The midwifery and nursing team will look after you on the postnatal ward after your baby’s birth. A Midwifery or Nursing Unit Manager is responsible for each ward and clinical department. If you have any concerns about your care, you may ask to speak to the manager of your ward or clinical department.

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. 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.

The midwives in the group practice work closely with the Mater Mothers’ Hospital 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.

Read more information about Mater Mothers’ Hospital Midwifery Group Practice