If you're first-time parents in Australia, choosing where and how to give birth can feel overwhelming. Whether you go through the public or private health system, it is important to understand your options and know where to reach out for advice to make the right decision for you and your baby.
Key Points
- You can choose to have your baby in a hospital, a birthing centre or at home, depending on your health needs and location.
- Continuity of care models are linked with positive birth experiences and improved health outcomes for women and babies.
- Your healthcare provider during pregnancy can provide information and advice specific to your medical history and preferences.
- What are your childbirth options in Australia?
- Who pays for the costs of birth and pregnancy care?
- Who will care for me during pregnancy and birth?
- What is continuity of care?
- Can I give birth in a place other than hospital?
- Are homebirth and freebirth the same?
- What if I’m finding it hard to make a birthing choice?
Australia’s maternity service providers are committed to a woman-centred approach, enabling pregnant women to make informed choices about their care and labour.
What are your childbirth options in Australia?
There are different options for pregnancy and birth care to choose from, depending on your medical needs, preferences, and availability where you live.
The most common maternity care models are public hospital maternity care, shared care, midwifery group practice and private obstetrician care.
You can find out more about models of care on the Australian government’s Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website or reach out to your GP.
“Your GP can explain the maternity models of care available in your area, including things like public care, private care and midwifery programs,” Rachel Worboys, Clinical Lead of Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, says.
Who pays for the costs of birth and pregnancy care?
If you are having your baby as a private patient, your private health insurance may cover some of the costs.
For eligible public patients, Medicare covers the costs of giving birth in a public hospital as well as most routine pregnancy costs.
“Things like your antenatal visits with your midwife or doctor, group antenatal education sessions, access to allied health, such as dietitians, social workers, mental health support if you need it," Ms Worboys says.
“But there may be some instances where there are out-of-pocket additional costs.”
Ask your maternity care provider about any fees not covered by Medicare or your private health insurance.
Who will care for me during pregnancy and birth?
Depending on your needs, availability and where you want to give birth, you could be cared for by midwives, your GP, an obstetrician, or a combination of health professionals.
Midwives are not the only person that you can see in pregnancy, but most people, no matter what model of care you choose, will see a midwife at some point.Rachel Worboys
If planning to birth in a public hospital, you may only see an obstetrician if your pregnancy is considered high-risk.
As a private patient, you may also want to choose a private midwife or a private obstetrician.
“Midwives usually support healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies, whereas obstetricians are the specialists in managing more complex situations,” Ms Worboys explains.
“Both can provide excellent care. But it's about the right match for your pregnancy and your own personal preferences.”
What is continuity of care?
Continuity of care is when you get to see the same doctor, midwife or small group of midwives throughout the maternity period.
One-to-one care models have proven benefits for mother and baby.
“For example, we know that the midwifery continuity of care model leads to the lowest rates of intervention and the highest rates of satisfaction, breastfeeding and also low rates of birth trauma,” Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery at Western Sydney University, says.
Can I give birth in a place other than hospital?
Most births in Australia take place in hospitals.
You may choose to have your baby at a birthing centre if available in your area. Birthing centres focus on low intervention labour for uncomplicated pregnancies.
Giving birth at home is another option for low-risk pregnancies.
“Home birth is when a registered midwife provides your care throughout your pregnancy, she's on call for your birth at home, she attends you at home,” Prof Dahlen explains.
“If everything goes straightforward, you have the baby at home, otherwise she may transfer you to hospital if there's any risks.”
Your midwife or doctor will discuss with you both the benefits and risks involved in a homebirth.
Are homebirth and freebirth the same?
Homebirth and freebirth are not the same.
Freebirths have no registered health provider present at the birth.Prof Hannah Dahlen
Whereas homebirths take place with at least one person present who is medically trained and equipped to provide clinical care, typically a registered midwife.
“Midwives... come with oxygen, with medication, with drips, we know to see when something's not quite going right, and we need to move on to hospital.
“All those things are lacking in a freebirth.”
What if I’m finding it hard to make a birthing choice?
Feeling overwhelmed by birth choices is completely normal.
And if you’re experiencing ill mental health, know that you’re not alone.
Perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) can impact both birthing and non-birthing parents at any point though pregnancy or postnatally, Mathew Aquilina says. He is a Clinical team manager with Gidget Foundation Australia, a national perinatal mental health service.
In Australia, one in five mums and one in 10 dads report experiencing PNDA at some point along their journey.Mathew Aquilina
“We usually see around 100,000 parents affected each year.”
Speak to your GP for a referral if you need mental health support.
Asking yourself how you’d like your birth experience to be is a simple first step you can take, Mr Aquilina advises.
“Or if this is a subsequent birth, what do they want to be different?”
Ultimately, an informed birth decision means understanding your choices and being supported in your decision-making.
“It's about being listened to and having your cultural needs and preferences respected and being part of every decision and the discussions between you, your midwife and your doctor,” Ms Worboys, Clinical Lead of Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, concludes.
Subscribe to or follow the Australia Explained podcast for more valuable information and tips about settling into your new life in Australia.
Do you have any questions or topic ideas? Email australiaexplained@sbs.com.au
