Pregnant in australia
Maternity care in Australia | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Maternity care in Australia | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content9-minute read
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If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, there are many different options for care and support during the pregnancy and birth. This article describes options for pregnancy care, where to give birth and the costs involved – so you can make the choices that are best for you.
If you have just found out you are pregnant, it’s important to see your doctor (GP) or midwife to start your antenatal care. They will discuss different options for care during the pregnancy and birth.
Who will I see during my pregnancy?
There are 3 types of health professionals that could look after you during your pregnancy, depending on where you are having your baby and your health needs.
A midwife is specially trained to support and care for women during pregnancy, labour and birth. Midwives work in public and private hospitals, with obstetricians, and in the community. They help you to stay healthy in pregnancy. If there are no complications, they can also help you to give birth. Midwives also care for you and your baby in the first few weeks after the birth.
General practitioners (GPs) are medical doctors who promote general health and treat many different health problems. Often your GP will be the first health professional you see if you think you are pregnant.
Some GPs offer shared care, where you see your GP as well as midwives or obstetricians for your pregnancy care. If you live in a rural or remote area, your GP might provide all of your pregnancy care as well as deliver your baby.
An obstetrician is a doctor who is specially trained to look after women and babies during pregnancy, birth and straight after birth. You might choose to have an obstetrician look after you throughout your pregnancy and to deliver your baby.
If you are having your baby in a public hospital, you might only see an obstetrician if there is a medical need.
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What are my maternity care options?
There are several options for where you could have your baby. It depends on whether this is your first baby, whether there are complications, and where you live.
Making the best choice for you depends on what’s important for you and your partner. For example, do you want to see the same doctor or midwife at every visit? What medical intervention or pain relief would you like, and what can you afford? To make your decision, it’s a good idea to talk to your friends and family about their birth experiences. Your doctor (GP) can discuss your options and what’s best for you.
Public hospital: Most women in Australia give birth in a public hospital. If you choose to give birth in a public hospital, midwives will look after you during the pregnancy and birth.
A doctor will see you if there are complications. You will probably see different midwives in a team throughout the pregnancy, and you will not be able to choose your doctor. You will give birth either in a labour ward or at a birthing centre. Care during the pregnancy and birth is mostly free. The first step is to see your doctor who will discuss the options at different hospitals in your area and give you a referral.
Private hospital: If you decide to give birth in a private hospital, you will be cared for by an obstetrician. You will see the same obstetrician throughout the pregnancy and develop a relationship with them. Midwives will usually look after you during the labour and the obstetrician will be there for the birth. You will probably stay in hospital for a few days afterwards. Most women pay the costs of private hospital care with their health insurance. The first step is to see your doctor for a referral to an obstetrician, who will then book you into the private hospital.
Birthing centre: Birthing centres provide a more natural, home-like environment to give birth than a hospital. They are an option if your pregnancy is low-risk and the birth is expected to be uncomplicated. You will be cared for by a midwife or team of midwives through the pregnancy. You might also see an obstetrician if there are any complications. Birthing centres are often attached to hospitals. See your doctor as soon as possible to find out what’s in your area and book in.
Home birth: You can choose to have your baby at home as long as it is a low-risk pregnancy. You might still be transferred to hospital during the birth if there are any complications. If you want to have a home birth, you will usually be cared for during the pregnancy by a private midwife. If any problems develop, you may need to see an obstetrician. There are public home birth programs, run through local public hospitals. Your doctor will need to give you a referral. The other option is to find a private midwife.
You can do this on the Homebirth Australia website.
Shared care: Shared care is when your pregnancy care is shared by your doctor (GP) and the hospital. You see your own doctor throughout the pregnancy and go to the hospital for some appointments. Shared care is offered mainly by public hospitals and public birthing centres. Private hospitals and home births usually don’t offer shared care.
What is antenatal care?
Antenatal care is the care you receive during pregnancy. You will have antenatal appointments throughout your pregnancy. Most women who have uncomplicated pregnancies have 10 to 12 appointments. If you’ve had a previous pregnancy with no complications, you may have about 7 to 10 appointments.
Antenatal appointments are important even if you are healthy and your pregnancy is going well. They allow your midwife or doctor to check your health and your baby’s health so they can find and treat any problems early on. These appointments are also a good opportunity for you to ask questions and talk about any concerns you have.
It’s best to make your first antenatal appointment when you are about 6 to 8 weeks pregnant. This appointment can be with a midwife, your doctor or at a clinic or hospital.
At this appointment, the doctor or midwife will confirm that you are pregnant. They will do a thorough health check, including asking about your medical history and your family’s medical history. They will also give you important information about your pregnancy care
They may also offer you tests to check for anything that may cause problems during pregnancy or labour. You can decide whether or not to have the tests.
You will then have regular appointments throughout the pregnancy. Many women have appointments every 4 to 6 weeks until 28 weeks of pregnancy, then every 2 to 3 weeks until 36 weeks of pregnancy. After that, you will probably have weekly visits until the baby is born.
You can also go to antenatal classes to help you and your partner get ready for the birth. Many hospitals run antenatal classes, or ask the doctor or midwife who is looking after you what they recommend.
Going to hospital
If it’s your first pregnancy, you may feel unsure about when you should go into hospital or the birth centre. The best thing to do is to call the hospital or birth centre for advice.
After the birth, you will probably stay in hospital from 1 to several days. How long you stay will depend on your recovery, whether you have had a caesarean birth, and whether you or your baby have any complications.
How much does it cost?
The cost of having a baby will vary depending whether give birth in the public or private system. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
In Australia, pregnancy care in a public hospital or birth centre is free because it is covered by Medicare, which covers Australian citizens and some visitors to Australia. But you won’t be able to choose your doctor or midwife.
In the private system, you can choose your doctor, but you will need to pay for the care or take out private health insurance. Medicare and your health fund will cover some of the costs of a private hospital stay, but you may still have to pay extra fees (known as 'out-of-pocket' costs).
Be sure to check that your private health insurance covers maternity care and if there is a waiting time before you can claim.
It can be difficult to understand the costs of different care options. Talk to your doctor, hospital or health fund if you are unsure, or call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby.
Resources and support
For information, advice and support during your pregnancy:
- Talk to your GP or midwife.
- Contact Pregnancy, Birth and Baby for more information and support. You can talk with a maternal child health nurse on the phone 1800 882 436 or via video call.
- healthdirect Service Finder – can help you find health services and hospitals near you.
Sources:
NSW Health (Having a baby), The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Antenatal care during pregnancy), Raising Children Network (Appointments during pregnancy), Raising Children Network (Birth Choices), Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne (Pregnancy care and birthing options)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: May 2021
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Related pages
- Your baby and the first few weeks
- Choosing where to give birth
- Medicare during pregnancy
- Antenatal care during your pregnancy
- Health professionals involved in your pregnancy
Need more information?
Antenatal care during your pregnancy
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Pregnancy: your essential guide | Raising Children Network
Pregnancy care: getting started
If you’ve just found out or think that you’re pregnant, see your GP straight away to start your pregnancy care. Your GP will:
- confirm that you’re pregnant
- organise routine tests, including a blood test
- check your health
- talk with you about pregnancy care options
- refer you to the health professionals you want to care for you or the place you want to give birth.
It’s a good idea to talk with your GP about ‘continuity of care’. This is when the same person, or group of people, looks after you through pregnancy, labour and birth. Women tend to be happier with their pregnancy care when they have continuity of care.
It’s important to go to your antenatal appointments right from the start, so your doctor or midwife can check how you and your baby are going. This includes following your baby’s growth and watching you both for any health problems or risks.
Antenatal appointments are also a chance to make decisions about things like tests in pregnancy. Some of these appointments and tests need to happen at particular times.
Our pregnancy tracker takes you through being pregnant week by week and tracks your baby’s growth.
Staying healthy and well in pregnancy
Physical activity in pregnancy
Being physically active while you’re pregnant is good for you and your baby. It can help you be at a healthy weight, keep strong for birth, and reduce stress.
If you’re healthy with an uncomplicated pregnancy, you can probably start or keep going with light to moderate exercise during pregnancy – but check with your midwife or doctor first. Brisk walking or swimming are good options. Aim for around 30 minutes, most days of the week.
Daily pelvic floor exercises will help to prevent urinary problems like incontinence later in pregnancy or after birth. Pelvic floor exercises can also help with your labour and recovery after birth.
Sleep in pregnancy
The safest sleeping position for pregnancy is on your side, because this position reduces the risk of stillbirth. Sleeping on your side can also increase the flow of blood and nutrients to your baby. This is especially important in the third trimester.
You can sleep on either side. To sleep comfortably on your side, try putting a pillow between your legs and another behind your back. This can ease and prevent back pain. It’s OK if you wake up during the night on your back.
Just roll over on to your side before you settle back to sleep.
Healthy eating in pregnancy
Healthy eating helps you feel good and gives your baby nutrients for growth.
Eat:
- plenty of vegetables, fruit and wholegrain breads and cereals for a wide range of vitamins, minerals and fibre
- low-fat dairy food (or alternatives like soy, rice or oat milk products) for calcium, protein and iodine
- lean red meat for iron and protein, and oily fish like sardines for omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
Try to choose small, healthy snacks that are low in sugar and fat.
You might like to read more about healthy pregnancy for women who are overweight.
Foods to avoid in pregnancy
For your health and your baby’s health, it’s best to avoid ready-to-eat chilled foods (like deli salads), soft cheeses, raw eggs and raw seafood.
It’s also good to avoid drinking too much coffee and tea and too many energy drinks and other drinks with caffeine.
Smoking, alcohol and other drugs in pregnancy
If you’re taking prescribed drugs, check with your doctor that these are safe to take during pregnancy.
Your doctor and midwife will advise you to stop smoking, drinking alcohol and taking non-prescribed drugs. Try to stay away from people who are smoking.
Avoid using e-cigarettes or vaping in pregnancy.
Getting enough folic acid before pregnancy and for the first 3 months of pregnancy can reduce your chances of having a baby with spina bifida by up to 70%. You can get folic acid tablets in most supermarkets, chemists and health food shops.
Your body in pregnancy
Your body will go through some big changes in pregnancy.
Your baby bump is likely to ‘pop out’ any time from around 14 weeks. By 19 weeks, many women look pregnant. This happens earlier with second and subsequent babies.
You might experience other changes like:
- bigger or tender breasts
- small skin tags underneath your breasts
- thicker hair and faster growing nails
- a ‘pregnancy glow’ or more pimples than before
- chloasma – brown patches on your face or neck
- linea nigra – a brown line that shows up on the skin of your belly
- stretch marks
- swollen feet.
If you have a mole or lesion that changes colour or shape, it’s important to ask your doctor about it.
Morning sickness and other pregnancy health problems
In the first 6-12 weeks of being pregnant, your body makes a lot of extra hormones. These hormones can cause nausea and vomiting, often called morning sickness.
Morning sickness is usually at its worst early in the day, but it can happen at any point during the day or night. It usually stops after the first 3-4 months. For some women, it goes on much longer than this.
If you get morning sickness, it can help to eat small amounts often. Carbohydrate-rich snacks like crackers, toast, cereal or fruit are ideal.
Being pregnant can bring some other uncomfortable physical symptoms – for example, constipation, headaches and the need to urinate more often. Pregnancy health problems are usually mild, but it’s always a good idea to talk about them with your doctor or midwife.
There are some pregnancy health problems, like pre-eclampsia, that need more urgent medical attention.
If you’re experiencing nausea and vomiting that doesn’t stop or go away, and you can’t eat or drink without vomiting, call your doctor, midwife or maternity hospital.
Emotions in pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones can cause emotional changes.
Some ups and downs are normal as you adjust to pregnancy. You have a lot to deal with, including morning sickness, fatigue and other uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.
Being open and honest about your feelings with people you know and trust can avoid hurt and misunderstanding.
Some emotional changes can be more serious. These changes include feeling sad and not enjoying life the way you used to. If these changes last longer than 2 weeks and get in the way of daily life, it could be antenatal anxiety or antenatal depression. Talk to your midwife or doctor, or call Lifeline on 131 114, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or PANDA on 1300 726 306.
Antenatal classes
Antenatal, prenatal, birth or childbirth preparation classes – these terms all mean the same thing. They’re classes to help you and your partner get ready for labour, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting.
Even if you’ve done a lot of research online or talked to other parents-to-be, birth classes are great for asking questions, clearing up conflicting advice, and getting specific information about the place where your baby will be born.
Your midwife or doctor can give you more information about antenatal classes.
Telling your employer about being pregnant
Think about a good time to share your pregnancy news with your employer. Before you do, it’s worth checking your pregnancy work rights, as well as your agreement or contract to see whether specific requirements apply in your workplace.
By law, you don’t need to notify your employer at a specific time, but you do need to give 10 weeks notice if you plan to take parental leave (maternity leave).
Your relationship with your partner during pregnancy
If you have a partner, it’s a good idea to work on keeping your relationship healthy during pregnancy and to talk about the changes that your baby might bring to your lives.
Even if you feel like your relationship is strong, putting extra effort into talking openly, working out your roles and sharing expectations is good practice for parenting and staying connected.
Having sex might feel different during pregnancy. Some women feel less interested in sex than before, although some find pregnancy increases their sex drive. As your pregnancy advances, you might have to try different positions to find one that’s comfortable for you both.
Preparing your family for a new baby
If you have other children, you can prepare children for the new baby by giving them plenty of time to get used to the idea. When, what and how much you tell them will depend on their ages.
It’s good if your other children and close family members are up to date with their immunisations before meeting the baby, including the whooping cough immunisation.
Your parents and your partner’s parents might like to read more about becoming grandparents.
Preparing for breastfeeding
Health authorities and experts recommend breastfeeding your baby until at least 12 months. Breastfeeding is a skill that takes time, practice and patience to learn.
Here are some tips for preparing to breastfeed:
- Go to breastfeeding classes in pregnancy. You might be able to do classes at your hospital or with your local Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) group.
- For any questions or concerns about feeding your baby, speak to your midwife, child and family health nurse or GP.
- Read up on breastfeeding techniques and breastfeeding positions.
- Talk to other new mothers who are breastfeeding.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) can support you with breastfeeding. You can phone the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268 to speak with an ABA counsellor or use the ABA LiveChat.
Local ABA groups can be a great source of support too.
When to get help during pregnancy
There might be times when you need extra help and support to cope with some of the changes happening during your pregnancy. You might find it helpful to speak to a midwife, doctor or counsellor if you’re:
- having trouble coping with your emotions
- having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- worried about how you’ll cope after the baby is born
- having serious problems in your relationship.
If you’re experiencing family violence, speak to your GP or midwife, or call the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732.
It’s a good idea to plan practical and emotional ‘back-up’ for after your baby is born. For example, could extended family or friends cook you a meal, drop in for a visit or give you a call? People are usually happy to help, and many appreciate being asked.
Births in Australia in 2022
Consulting
Australia is a distant country on the green continent of the same name. Unique animals live here and outlandish plants grow. Even pregnant women in this country have an unusual attitude. For example, if difficulties arise, pregnant women are not taken for preservation until the 13th week - Australians believe in the wisdom of nature. Ultrasounds for expectant mothers are done only 2-3 times during pregnancy (if there are no health problems), and a woman in labor comes to the clinic at the very last moment, because it is not customary to call an ambulance here.
Citizenship
A child born in Australia can only be granted citizenship if the parents themselves are Australian citizens or have a valid residence permit.
Clinics and prices
Australian citizens and residence permit holders use Medicare - state health insurance. Childbirth is covered by insurance, but does not take into account special care, doctor's supervision of pregnancy or possible complications.
Women who need comfort and respect turn to private clinics. If difficulties arise, the woman in labor will still be sent to a state hospital, since there is all the necessary equipment and highly specialized specialists.
For childbirth in a private clinic, an Australian citizen will have to pay from $3,000 to $10,000. Australian women pay more than $10,000 for a caesarean section. If a foreigner decides to give birth on the green continent, she will have to prepare from $13,500 to $20,000.
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Consulting
About pregnancy in Australia - My notes - LiveJournal
After the last news, many people began to ask many different questions about how it is with medicine, benefits and other things.
Everything is more than good with this. Moreover, there is something to compare. Let me tell you what I've experienced and what I've learned. This knowledge was obtained from local acquaintances, and from my own experience, so this is what I know and how I see it.
Firstly, they do not register here until 12 weeks and do not keep pregnancy until 12 weeks. No one warns against anything, does not tell horrors, and does not drive to the doctors. Live your life in peace, do what you've been doing. If you want to run, if you want to lift weights. Everything is possible! Focus on your well-being, and all.
When I found out about the pregnancy, I realized that I knew absolutely nothing. Where to go and what to do. After asking friends, people, acquaintances, a scheme emerged. Before 12 weeks, you need to have time to go to the GP (our therapist), report the pregnancy, he will give a referral for a blood test and ultrasound (if you want), as well as a referral to the hospital, where you will continue to be observed and give birth.
After that, you need to call the selected hospital and tell them: I want to see you! They will send out a questionnaire, fill it out, send it, call closer to 12 weeks and make an appointment. I had it.
As I understand it, there are 2 programs here. The first is when your entire pregnancy is led by one midwife (midwife), who is assigned to you, and she is also present at the birth. And the second, when you are just attached to the hospital, but not to the doctor, and watching who is on schedule today. The availability of these programs varies by hospital. I had a choice between the two nearest hospitals: Ryde Hospital and North Shore Hospital. Ryde has the first program, North Shore has the second. But if there are any complications during childbirth, then Ryde Hospital does not have various specialists and special equipment, they transport to the North Shore (but your midwife is traveling with you), and they do not do an epidural. Ryde Hospital provides for natural childbirth. I chose Ride.
Already dated my midwife, Alice. I have her cell phone, I can call and write messages on all issues that interest me, and if there is something urgent, even at night. Honestly, it's very reassuring that you know who to call and you can call. She will know the whole history of pregnancy, all the problems, and will be at birth, already like a native. I like this approach.
More about ultrasound. It is here, as I understand it, not necessarily. And ultrasound is the only thing you have to pay for, everything else is completely free (if observed in a public hospital, but in reality a private hospital is no different from a public one, at least after asking, I still didn’t understand why a private one is better, the service and staff at the same level).
Since I was very worried about whether everything was in order, I decided to do an ultrasound at 12 weeks. 2 arms, 2 legs, heart is beating, Down's syndrome is minimal, I'm almost calm :) The next one seems to be at 20 weeks. And it looks like there will be one blood test and a urine test.
