Antenatal and birthing care

Pregnancy and childbirth is a natural life event and in most cases a natural delivery occurs.

The following section describes the choices which are available to you, so that you can decide how you want to have your baby and the type of care you prefer.

CONTENTS

• Choices for antenatal and birthing care

• Public care

• Private care

• Country services

• Homebirth

Choices for antenatal and birthing care

While all women hope for a normal pregnancy and birth, you should know there is always a risk in pregnancy, either to the mother or child or both.

Some risks are found early in the pregnancy and other problems may emerge later or during the birthing stage. Such risks or problems may need greater and earlier action (intervention) by care-givers to make sure you and your baby have the best outcome. If things are not going smoothly during the birth you may need to be transferred for more specialised care (for example, from a birthing centre to a labour ward). Other medical procedures may need to be used to help you during the birth.

Your involvement in your care and decisions about your care are important in making sure you feel the best is achieved for you and your baby.

The following information describes most of the choices for pregnancy and birthing care but not the levels of care. Some hospitals provide higher levels of care than others and for example, if you need a higher level of care you may be transferred to a hospital that manages that level of care. Not all choices are available everywhere in South Australia.

PUBLIC CARE

If you are a public patient, that is you do not have private health insurance or you want to be treated as a public patient, then the following types of antenatal and birthing care may be available to you.

Hospital care

Hospital care is when you use a public hospital clinic to see hospital doctors or midwives for your antenatal and birthing care. Midwives and doctors assist with your labour and delivery within the hospital. Postnatal care is given in a ward and if all is going well you will usually go home two or three days after delivery.

Birthing centre

Women who are having a pregnancy without problems may choose a birthing centre. Currently there are birthing centres located at Women's and Children's Hospital, Lyell McEwin Health Service and Flinders Medical Centre. It is separate from the usual hospital care described above.

Midwives provide care during pregnancy and delivery. Usually the same midwife or midwife team supports you through your pregnancy and delivery. During your pregnancy you also visit your family doctor at least twice.

Birthing centres are more home-like in atmosphere than hospital labour wards. Discharge is 24 hours after delivery when you can go home or transfer to the hospital's postnatal ward. There are limited places available.

Shared care

Shared care is when your antenatal care is shared between different care-givers. Some examples are your own family doctor and a hospital clinic, or obstetrician and midwife shared care. The number of visits to each varies. Shared care may be more convenient if you live further from the hospital. You are admitted to the hospital as a public patient for delivery.

PRIVATE CARE

If you have private health insurance then you may be able to choose your own care-giver - such as an obstetrician, family doctor or independent midwife - and choose a private hospital for delivery. Most hospitals will let you know which doctors or midwives have admitting rights. Check with your own health insurance fund to find out what you are covered for, as their rules vary. You can also pay for private care yourself.

Obstetrician or family doctor (GP)

You will visit your own doctor (obstetrician or family doctor) at consulting rooms for each antenatal check-up. You will be admitted to either a public (as a private patient) or private hospital for delivery. Your doctor may be present at delivery and usually other hospital staff will assist. Postnatal care is given at the hospital and you may leave the hospital early if all is well.

Your family doctor can refer you to an obstetrician or you can also contact your nearest hospital, depending on whether you want to be a private patient or public patient and ask which obstetricians have admitting rights  (that is, work at that hospital). You can also look in the Yellow Pages under Medical Practitioners - Speciality Guide - Obstetrics.

Private shared care

Your care may be shared between your own obstetrician, doctor or midwife. Your antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care will be shared. Ask your doctor if this option is available. Under this arrangement you might be able to choose to have a homebirth or a birth in a birthing centre or labour ward. You will be treated and charged as a private patient.

Private midwife care

Some midwives provide antenatal care at your home. The midwife will care for you during labour and delivery either at home (homebirth), or in a hospital birthing centre or delivery suite where they have admitting rights. Some private health insurance companies cover private midwifery services for antenatal and birthing care and some do not.

COUNTRY SERVICES

In the country all your antenatal care may be provided by your family doctor, or local obstetrician if available, and you will be admitted to a hospital for delivery. You can choose to be treated either as a public or private patient.

You may require transfer to another hospital if there are problems that need attention at a higher level.

HOMEBIRTH

Some women will prefer a homebirth.

This option is available, depending on how the pregnancy is going and other medical and safety considerations, through some obstetricians, family doctors (GPs), community health and independent practising midwives who provide this service.

South Australian Pregnancy Record (SAPR) - Home page

Administrative Guidelines for use of SAPR MR31

Return to top