Shared maternity care is one of the models of antenatal care in the public system, whereby a shared care GP shares the responsibility of your pregnancy and childbirth with other healthcare professionals such as midwives and obstetricians.
It is available to women who are classified as having a low risk pregnancy. In cases where the antenatal shared-care model is not considered suitable, or is no longer appropriate, the expectant mother will be led by an obstetrician in an affiliated hospital. When your pregnancy is confirmed, contact us as soon as possible so that we can determine your suitability for shared maternity care and schedule your ongoing appointments.
Shared care benefits
- You are able to schedule your own preferred time for your antenatal appointment
- As an expectant mother, it may be possible that the shared-care GP is the same doctor with whom you've already built a trusting and comfortable relationship
- You are able to conveniently receive recommended vaccinations during pregnancy
- You may continue to see shared care GP for your postpartum care such as breastfeeding advice and wound care
- Your family including your newborn and partner may be able to see the same practitioner
- You are able to attend less face to face appointments in the hospital
- The cost of seeing a shared care GP is less than a private obstetrician
Antenatal Shared Care Appointments and Cost
Routine antenatal appointments are on a monthly basis, except in 3rd trimester where it is fortnightly.
At High Street Medical Clinic, the cost of an antenatal share care appointment is time based and is approximately the same out-of-pocket cost as your general health consultation.
You will have a few scheduled appointment with a midwife or obstetrician of your affiliated hospital in the course of your pregnancy. In a COVID safe setting, these particular appointments may be replaced with a telehealth appointment.
Hospital Accreditation and Affiliation
The shared care doctors are accredited by the Royal Women’s Hospital for Shared Antenatal Care and Women’s Health. They are also affiliated with Mercy Health and Western Health.
