Public hospital care
- July 1, 2008
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Pregnancy and birth
If you do not have private health insurance or you choose to be treated as a public patient at a public hospital, most of your care is provided by a midwife or doctor at a public hospital or birthing centre.
Public care offers several options, each of which are free of charge if you are a Medicare cardholder. These options include:
Public hospital care
If you are receiving public care, your GP will refer you to a public hospital (probably the closest one to your home).
You will need to book in at the hospital antenatal clinic, where a midwife and a doctor (usually the Registrar) will see you. If everything is normal, a midwife will provide all further reviews. If any complications or problems develop, the midwife will obtain further medical advice.Midwives and doctors will assist with your labour and delivery.
If you would like further information, you can contact your local teaching hospital and ask to speak to a midwife in the antenatal clinic.
Birthing Centre
Birthing centres are usually attached to hospitals, and provide a more home-like and relaxed atmosphere than hospital labour wards, with comfortable furnishings, drinks and snacks on hand. You also don't have to be surrounded by medical and technological equipment.
Women who expect to have a complication free pregnancy and birth may choose to give birth in a birthing centre, where a more natural (or less interventionist) approach to birth is encouraged.
If you choose to go to a birthing centre your antenatal care will be provided by the birthing centre midwives (usually the same midwife or team of midwives). As well as conducting each antenatal visit, the midwives will also care for you during your labour and perform the delivery. Continued...
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