Antenatal Shared Care

Antenatal Shared Care is a program that gives women with low-risk pregnancies the choice of having most of their antenatal care provided by a Private Practising Midwife, unless there is a concern for you or your baby.

Antenatal Shared Care midwives are accredited with Westmead Hospital and have experience and training in providing antenatal and postnatal family care to women in the community.

If you wish to make use of the midwife Antenatal Shared Care service you will be required to visit Westmead Hospital for an initial “booking in” visit at the hospital antenatal clinic.

Your midwife does not deliver your baby; the birth unit midwives at Westmead Hospital will take care of you during your labour and birth and the hospital obstetrician will be called in, if necessary.

Your midwife can then see you and your baby for postnatal checks and breastfeeding support after discharge from hospital.

Download the Antenatal
Shared Care flyer

REASONS TO CHOOSE ANTENATAL SHARED CARE WITH YOUR MIDWIFE

Your midwife knows you and your family and can often provide more personalised and comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care for you and your baby.

Seeing your midwife can mean more flexibility with appointments and many women also prefer the continuity of care that a midwife can provide.

HOW DO I FIND OUT IF I CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?

Ask your midwife at Westmead Hospital’s booking-in clinic for a referral to the Privately Practising Midwife Antenatal Shared Care program.

Your suitability for Antenatal Shared Care will be assessed during your booking visit. Influencing factors include any pre-existing diseases, your previous obstetric history and other personal factors.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY MIDWIFE IS ACCREDITED?

You can simply ask your midwife if they are accredited with the Antenatal Shared Care program.

Other options available for Antenatal Care include:

• Attending the antenatal clinic at Westmead Hospital
• Attending the midwifery services at Westmead Hospital
• Employing the services of a private obstetrician.
• Seeing a Shared Care GP

EXAMPLE OF VISIT SCHEDULE

ANTENATAL SHARED CARE PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS

Antenatal Shared Care midwives are accredited with Westmead Hospital.

It is important that you book into the Antenatal Clinic as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.

To make an appointment, call Westmead Antenatal Clinic on 02 9845 6508.

Costs

Antenatal Visits

Postnatal Visits

* Safety Net Payment - additional rebate for Australian families and singles who incur out-of-pocket costs for Medicare eligible out-of-hospital services. You may be eligible to receive this payment in addition to the standard Medicare rebate for midwifery services once you reached the annual threshold of out-of-pocket expenses. To find out more visit Medicare’s website.

Page updated 20th January 2013