Health professionals involved in your pregnancy

If you are having a baby, you might see a lot of different healthcare professionals. You can choose who cares for you during your pregnancy. This may be:

• your doctor
• a midwife
• an obstetrician — a doctor who looks after pregnant people
• a mix of these people

It depends on what care you need and where you want to give birth.

Your doctor

Your doctor, also known as a general practitioner (GP), is trained in many different aspects of healthcare. It’s normal to see your doctor to find out you are pregnant.

Your doctor will talk with you about the type of care you want during your pregnancy.

For some people, your doctor will be your main care provider. Some doctors, especially in rural areas, can care for you right through your pregnancy and help you birth your baby.

Other doctors will have a ‘shared care’ arrangement with a midwife or an obstetrician at the hospital.

Midwives

Midwives are health professionals who work with you to give support, care and advice during your pregnancy. They often run antenatal classes. They will also look after you during your labour, birth and the postnatal period (after the birth). Midwives also have training to care for your newborn baby.

Midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to practise in Australia. They can be qualified registered nurses as well. Midwives can work in homes, the community, clinics and hospitals.

If you choose to have your baby at a public hospital, you will often see a midwife at your clinic visits. You might not always see the same midwife during your pregnancy.

In some public hospitals you can choose to have your care provided by a small group of midwives. This is called team midwifery and is mainly for low-risk pregnancies. You are less likely to see the same midwife at each visit. However, you are more likely to develop a relationship with the midwives you see.

Other models of care that you may come across are midwifery group practice and midwifery caseload practice. These depend on what your local health service can offer.

If you want to give birth at home, it will usually be with a private midwife. Some public hospitals offer publicly funded homebirth programs if you have a low-risk pregnancy.

Obstetricians

Obstetricians are doctors with specialised training in obstetrics (medical care before, during and after childbirth). Most hospital maternity units will have an obstetrician who is responsible for this service. Obstetricians usually help to birth of babies in cases where there is a risk of possible complications. They can do caesarean sections.

You may choose to see a private obstetrician during your pregnancy and birth. If you want to give birth at a certain hospital, check which private obstetricians practise at that hospital.

Anaesthetists

An anaesthetist (a doctor who gives pain relief during surgery) might be involved in your labour. Anaesthetists get involved if you have an epidural or a caesarean.

Other health professionals

You may see other health professionals during your pregnancy. This will depend on the care you need and your medical history.

Other health professionals that you may see are:

• An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker — for culturally safe care and support.
• A dietitian — for nutrition advice if you have gestational diabetes.
• A genetic counsellor — to find out more about genetic conditions.
• A pregnancy physiotherapist — to help reduce pain and improve movement.
• A psychologist — for mental health support.
• A social worker — for information and links to other support services.
• A sonographer — a medical imaging specialist who does ultrasound scans.

Non-medical support

You may choose to hire a doula. A doula gives information, emotional support and practical care during pregnancy and birth. They may also help in the weeks after your baby is born. They complement the work of the nurses and doctors. Doulas do not provide medical care.

Many women chose to have family and friends to support them when giving birth.

Finding a health professional

Make sure that you explore all your options for pregnancy care. Speak with your friends and other mothers about their birth experiences. Ask your doctor or midwife about the choices you have locally.

It’s important to have a positive, trusting relationship with your healthcare provider. It’s also okay to change your mind and find the care that’s right for you.

You have the right to respectful maternity care that is culturally safe and enables informed choices.

Try using Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's service finder tool to find your nearest doctor, midwife, obstetrician and maternal child health nurse.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Your choice

You may be able to choose:

• your care provider
• where you give birth
• whether to use public or private healthcare

Sometimes your choices may be limited by where you live and what choices there are in your community.

Medicare covers most of the costs of a public hospital birth.

If you are considering private healthcare, make sure you understand the out-of-pocket costs. You can check if your healthcare provider is registered at Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.