What is Antenatal Care?
Antenatal care is care given to women while they are pregnant. 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 antenatal 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, you may need to pay a fee
Having ongoing antenatal care ensures you and your baby receive the best possible care and helps you to learn about your pregnancy, what to expect and the health of your baby.
What will my healthcare team do?
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 training to ensure they can care for you. For other types of antenatal care, your care will be different. This will be discussed with you at your first antenatal clinic appointment.
If you have a low-risk pregnancy, you are able to choose the type of antenatal care you prefer.
