Choosing a prenatal care provider in Australia often means choosing a team: a midwife, GP, obstetrician or a combination of them. A good starting point is your GP or local maternity service. They can explain what is available, discuss your health needs and arrange referrals.
You want care that is clinically appropriate and a relationship in which you feel able to speak. It is reasonable to ask how decisions are made, who you will see and what happens if plans need to change.
Who does what?
A midwife is trained to provide care during pregnancy, labour, birth and the early weeks afterwards. Midwives can be the main care provider in an uncomplicated pregnancy and work alongside doctors when additional medical care is needed.
A GP can help with early pregnancy care, ongoing health needs and referrals. Some GPs provide shared antenatal care with a hospital. GPs with additional obstetric training may also provide birth care, particularly in regional settings.
An obstetrician is a specialist doctor in pregnancy and birth, including complications and procedures such as caesarean birth. You may see one through a public maternity service or choose private obstetric care. Needing specialist input does not mean you have to become a private patient.
Common care options in Australia
- Public hospital care: appointments are provided by hospital or community maternity clinics, with midwives and doctors involved according to your needs. You may see different members of the team.
- Shared care: your GP or another community clinician and the maternity hospital share appointments under an agreed plan. Birth usually takes place in hospital.
- Midwifery group practice: a primary midwife and a small backup team provide care through pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period. Ask about local eligibility and availability.
- Private obstetric care: a chosen obstetrician oversees your care, working with hospital midwives. Check which hospitals they attend and who provides cover when they are unavailable.
Private midwifery, birth-centre and homebirth services are also available in some areas. Suitability depends on your circumstances and the service. If you are considering birth outside a hospital, discuss eligibility, access to specialist care and a clear transfer plan, including transport and the receiving hospital.
Start with your needs and the local options
Tell the service about existing medical conditions, previous pregnancy complications and any concerns about this pregnancy. These can affect the level of care and facilities you need. Your plan can be adjusted if your health or your baby’s needs change.
Also think about travel, appointment times, continuity with a familiar clinician and the people you want involved. Ask about interpreter services, accessible appointments and culturally safe care. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can ask about local Aboriginal maternity services and Birthing on Country programs.
Enquire early, especially if you have a preferred service. While referrals or bookings are being arranged, ask who is responsible for your appointments and time-sensitive tests. Our prenatal care guide explains how to get started.
Questions for a first conversation
- Who will be my main contact, and who covers evenings, weekends or leave?
- Will I usually see the same person or team? Who might attend the birth?
- How do you explain options and help me make decisions about tests, pain relief or interventions?
- What would lead to a specialist referral or a change in the planned place of birth?
- How can we plan for anxiety, a previous traumatic experience or examinations I find difficult?
- What support is available after birth, including feeding, recovery and emotional wellbeing?
You might prefer explanations before anyone touches you, a support person at appointments or time to pause and ask questions. Say so. These are useful things for your team to know. Being listened to matters even when a clinician recommends something different from what you had hoped for.
Ask about the full cost
If you are eligible for Medicare, public hospital maternity care is generally covered as a public patient. Some appointments, scans or tests outside the hospital may still have fees. Shared-care GP visits can also involve a gap payment.
For private care, request written fees and check your insurance directly. Ask about the obstetrician, hospital, anaesthetist, paediatrician and tests, as well as waiting periods and your baby’s cover. Do not assume one quoted fee includes everything.
What if the arrangement does not feel right?
Raise concerns with your clinician or maternity service. You can ask for a second opinion or explore another provider, subject to availability. If you transfer care, arrange the handover of results and records and confirm your next appointment so important follow-up is not lost.
Keep the maternity unit’s urgent contact number handy. Do not wait to settle a provider change if you have bleeding, severe pain or a concern about your baby’s movements: contact a maternity service immediately. Call 000 in Australia for a medical emergency.
Before your next appointment, you may also want to read about common prenatal tests and informed choices.
This guide describes Australian care options. Availability and clinical recommendations vary with your location and circumstances.