Midwives Clinic and GP Shared Care (GPSC)
Your pregnancy care will be shared between your GP (family doctor) and the midwives and doctors at the Antenatal Clinic. With this type of care, you will have regular check-ups with both your GP and a midwife at the hospital. If you ever need extra support, you will be quickly referred to a hospital doctor or specialist.
Your GP shared care team follows the latest guidelines to make sure you get the best care possible. We will do our best to make sure you see the same GP and the same midwife throughout your pregnancy, so you always have familiar faces looking after you.
Information for Patients
- Personalised service
- Ongoing care with your GP who will continue to look after you and your family before and after baby is born
- Option for more flexible appointment times with the GP, as some GPs will offer after hours or weekend appointments
It is recommended that several months before you are planning to become pregnant you see your GP to discuss issues such as rubella immunity, folic acid intake and your options for antenatal care. If you are already pregnant see your GP as soon as possible.
You will have some of your pregnancy care with your GP and some with the midwives or doctors at the hospital.
You would give birth to your baby in the hospital birthing unit; a midwife will look after you during your labour and birth. Your GP will not be involved in your labour and birth but will see you after you go home from hospital.
You usually spend a few hours in the birthing unit before being transferred up to the postnatal ward. Some women who have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth may choose to go home after the birth with midwifery support in the home.
If you choose to go home early, a midwife will visit you in your home until baby is 5-7 days old.
If you require emergency medical help and you are less than 20 weeks pregnant, please call 000 or attend your nearest Emergency department.
If it is a non-urgent problem, contact your GP (some GPs provide an afterhours service) who will assess your condition and may refer you to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) at the hospital the following day.
If you are over 20 weeks pregnant and have any concerns, please contact the birthing unit on 0439 869 035.
At the Royal Hospital for Women there is a midwife who can be contacted by women choosing the Antenatal Shared Care Program for non-urgent questions. They are available Monday – Friday between 8am – 4:30pm and can be contacted on 0417 995 153.
You may not be able to choose this option of care if you have significant medical and/or other history, or develop complications throughout your pregnancy, or your GP is not affiliated with the Royal Hospital for Women Antenatal Shared Care Program.