What are my choices for maternity services in rural Victoria?

Depending on where you live in Victoria you can choose who will care for you during your pregnancy.

You may choose to get care from:

• publicly funded midwives, in a midwifery group practice at a local hospital or health centre
• privately practising midwives, if you use an eligible midwife some of the costs are covered by Medicare
• your GP, who might offer 'shared maternity care' with the midwives and doctors at a local hospital
• a private obstetrician (a specialist) at a public or a private hospital

You will usually need a doctor’s referral to access a hospital-based midwife.

Midwifery continuity of care

Midwifery continuity of care is when a midwife or team of midwives cares for you through your pregnancy and labour.

Getting continuity of care from your midwife has many benefits, such as:

• a more positive birth experience
• less interventions during labour
• being more likely to have a vaginal birth
• being more likely to be able to breastfeed your baby

To help you choose the best type of care for you, talk with your doctor or midwife.

Read more about maternity care in Australia.

Where can I give birth in rural Victoria?

It’s your choice where to give birth.

You may choose to get care from:

• the public health system — cost of care is covered by Medicare
• the private health system — private health insurance can help you cover some of the costs

Depending on where you live you might choose:

• Public care in a public hospital. In some hospitals your doctor may be able to share the care with hospital staff.
• Private care in a public hospital. This means you can choose your own private obstetrician or doctor to care for you.
• Public birth centre. This is suitable if you don’t have any pregnancy complications.
• Private care in a private hospital. If you have any pregnancy or birth complications, you may need to be transferred to a public hospital.
• Home birth. This may be suitable if you don’t have any pregnancy complications. Some costs for eligible midwives are covered by Medicare.

Rural hospitals may be supported by the Paediatric infant perinatal emergency retrieval (PIPER) service.

Speak with your doctor or midwife about the best option for you.

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

What support is there for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in rural Victoria?

Birthing on Country in rural Victoria

Birthing on country is about giving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander babies the best start in life. It includes supporting you in your transition to parenting through culturally appropriate care.

Ask your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker or midwife about programs in your area.

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) near you.

You can also visit the Aboriginal maternity services page on the Health Victoria website.

What if I need to travel long distances to give birth in rural Victoria?

The Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) provides financial help for your travel and accommodation costs.

It can cover:

• private vehicle use
• public transport
• taxi
• air travel
• accommodation

If you need to travel a long distance to give birth, try to plan ahead.

Resources and support

The Royal Women’s Hospital has information on pregnancy care and birthing options.

Find out more about the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme for people who need to travel for care.

Find out more about parenting in regional and remote areas.

If you are unhappy about the care you get, you may want to learn about making a healthcare complaint.