What is antenatal care?
Antenatal care is a kind of care given to pregnant women. It includes regular check-ups and tests. This type of care is offered to all pregnant women.
There are different types of antenatal care. The type recommended for you will depend on your health, previous birth experiences and personal preferences.
The main types of care are:
- Care with your GP and a public hospital (this is called GP shared care)
- Care at an antenatal clinic at a public hospital
- Care with a midwife in a public hospital (this is called midwifery continuity of care)
- Care with private specialists
Having ongoing antenatal care during your pregnancy is important. It helps you to learn about your pregnancy, what to expect and the health of your baby.
Your GP will talk to you about your choices.
What will my healthcare team do to support me through pregnancy?
Your GP will talk to you about the choices you have for your care.
If your GP provides shared care, they will let you know. This type of care is best suited for women who have low-risk pregnancies. GPs who provide shared care have regular extra training to ensure they can care for you during this time.
For other types of antenatal care, your care will be different. If you have a low-risk pregnancy, you are able to choose the type of antenatal care you prefer.
