Picture this. Those babies born to mothers who did not undergo prenatal care are threefold likely to suffer from low birth weight and five times more likely to die as compared to those whose mothers sought care early into the pregnancy.
These can be prevented by seeing a specialist early on because they can identify potential problems as they observe mothers every scheduled checkup. This allows doctors to treat these health issues as soon as possible before they create bigger problems and affect both the mother and the baby if left untreated.
Antenatal/Prenatal Care
At first sign of pregnancy or even if you just suspect that you are pregnant, your immediate reaction would be to go to your GP to confirm your suspicion. Once it is proven that you are indeed having a baby, the doctor can begin the necessary initial steps in pregnancy care like organising initial workups such as ultrasounds and initial blood tests. These are not deterred by your decision on where or how you decide to deliver the baby. Still if you’re starting to dilate, you may want to save exterior cleaning of your Canberra home for a later date.
Pregnancy Care and Childbirth Options in Canberra
Foetal Medicine Unit
Here is where those high-risk and complex pregnancies are referred to for them to be able the get the specialised care and supervision for both the mother and the baby. At Centenary Hospital’s FMU, specialist doctors, midwives, and sonographers will take care of your pregnancy for that all-important “continuity of care”.
Along the way, some team members may be asked to check up on you such as the genetics doctors, neonatologists, and anaesthetists. When the time comes for your labour and birth, a team of doctors and midwives will take over at the Birthing Suite.
However, this setup can be altered if after the initial appointment or after a few of them, it is decided that you are safe to have regular pregnancy care. They will let you know about this and will help you book the right clinic and practitioner for you. You can even ask them for contact details for a doula, if you wish.
Homebirth
This Australian capital has been running a three-year trial for babies to be delivered at home, with support from a midwife. Prior to this, a primary midwife is assigned to look after you for the duration of your pregnancy leading up to the actual birth. However, to be eligible for this, one of the requirements is you have to be living within 15 minutes from the Centenary Hospital.
Midwives
These are healthcare professionals who have trained in providing care for women during pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal period. They can work either in public institutions or they can work independently in their private clinics.
When you have chosen a midwife for your pregnancy care, they will usually collaborate with other healthcare professionals when necessary. You also have the option to deliver the baby in a birth centre or at the Centenary Hospital’s birth suite.
Obstetricians
You may opt to be taken care of by the actual medical professional who was trained exactly for overseeing pregnancy and delivering the baby and skip those in between like the GP and the midwives. After all, these professionals will often consult the obstetrician when complications in the pregnancy arise.
These specialists can deliver your baby either in a public or a private hospital, depending on the necessity or your preference. Also, obstetricians are available whether you attend a prenatal in a public hospital or a clinic, or you can also be seen by one via a referral by your GP.
Shared Care
This is where you see your doctor for your prenatal care for the whole duration of the pregnancy, but you also see a midwife or a doctor at a hospital or clinic in between. If any complications arise, you may also be sent to see an obstetrician.
The actual birth will be done at a birth suite, where you will be accompanied by a medical staff. Thereafter, you will be brought to a postnatal ward for your recovery.
Specialist Team Care
If you have a particularly complicated pregnancy, you might be referred to a Specialist Team Care composed of midwives, medical, and allied health staff. As a resident of ACT, you will be visited by a midwife at home after you have been discharged from the hospital.
These services are available at the North Canberra Hospital and Centenary Hospital for Women and Children.
ACT Public Maternity System
If you have decided to go with Canberra’s public maternity for your pregnancy care, two public maternity hospitals will be your options: the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children (Garran) and the North Canberra Hospital (Bruce).
Before you will be allowed an appointment with these hospitals, you need to do the following steps:
- You need to sign up for MyDHR through an online registration which can be accessed via the website or mobile app. This is where you can access and update all your health details, schedule, and manage all your future appointments in the facilities.
- Learn all about your options when it comes to your maternity and birthing care. If in case your first choice is not possible due to your medical history or the hospital can no longer accommodate you due to slots being already filled up, a midwife will call you to discuss the alternatives.
- Call the Central Health Intake at 5124 9977 to register and answer important questions like when is your baby due, your hospital of choice, and your chosen maternity care.
- Your first prenatal appointment with the midwife will be set between 12 and 14 weeks. You will be notified of the confirmation of your first appointment and you will also receive a reminder so you won’t forget the details.