Choosing an option for maternity care

All options for maternity care are delivered by caring and dedicated health professionals in partnership with you and your support people. Your general practitioner (GP) or midwife will discuss these options at your first appointment.

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Are you planning to have your baby at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital?

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All care options have the opportunity for discharge home at 6 hours after birth, if you have a normal birth and you and your baby are well.  If you need to stay longer, you can expect to be discharged around 24 hours following a normal birth or within 72 hours after a caesarean birth.

We recommend you return to your GP at 1 week after birth (for a baby check-up) and 6 weeks after birth (a check-up for you and your baby). You may like to ask your GP if they have completed the Maternity GP Alignment Program offered by RBWH.

Midwifery care

Have your care with a midwife or a small team of midwives. Your midwife is a qualified health professional, trained and committed to providing care, education, advice and support to you and your family during pregnancy, labour, birth, and the early postnatal period.

There are different midwifery care options which include:

GP shared care

You will have most of your care with your local GP.

Your appointments: Most of your appointments are with your GP with some offered at hospital.

Home visits: If you live within the RBWH suburb catchment area, you will be offered a home visit by a RBWH midwife after you go home.

It is recommended you return to your GP at 1 week after birth (a baby check-up) and 6 weeks after birth (a check-up for you and your baby).

At all times during your pregnancy and birth you will have access to obstetricians and other specialists if required.

Specialist care

Obstetrician and other specialists (complex health conditions)

You will receive specialist obstetric care if you have pre-existing health conditions or if problems develop during your pregnancy. A doctor or midwife will generally advise you if you need specialist care.

Your specialist team

You will be cared for by a group of different specialist doctors and other health professionals, this may include obstetricians, midwives, medical obstetric physicians, endocrinologists, cardiologists, neurologists, physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, perinatal psychology nurses, anaesthetists, social workers and/or dietitians.

Additional care

If you are unable to birth at your local hospital for medical reasons, you may be transferred to the RBWH for specialist, individualised care and support. If you have a serious medical condition, you may be also supported by the complex case midwife, who will help coordinate your care between different specialists if required.

At all times during your pregnancy and birth you will have access to obstetricians and other specialists if required.

Private practice obstetrician

You may see an obstetrician as a private patient in a public hospital. At the Private Practice Specialist Clinic, situated on Level 1 of the Dr James Mayne Building, an obstetrician will provide most of your antenatal care and appointments, but may not necessarily be available to attend your birth. You will be charged scheduled fees for your antenatal visits to your obstetrician with Medicare rebates available.

You will have access to specialist medical and high risk clinics if referred by your obstetrician during the course of your pregnancy.

Your birth: Your labour and birth will be managed by the doctors and midwives in the Birth Suite. You will be admitted as a private patient and will incur in-hospital costs, a percentage of which may be covered by your private health insurance. Single rooms are subject to availability and you can expect to be discharged by 24 hours after birth (or 72 hours following a caesarean).

Referral
If you would like a private obstetrician, ask your GP to refer you to RBWH Private Practice, naming the obstetrician of your choice. Availability is subject to a strict quota of clients per month. Referrals are processed in order of receipt at the clinic.

At all times during your pregnancy and birth you will have access to obstetricians and other specialists if required.