Maternity care options

If you plan to have your baby at a CQ Health hospital, we will provide you with the type of care that best suits your needs. The following maternity care options are available within CQ Health hospitals:

Routine care

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, you may choose to attend this clinic where you will be cared for by the antenatal clinic midwives. If you experience complications during your pregnancy an obstetrician will be involved in your care and see you at the hospital antenatal clinic along with the midwives.

Obstetric care

For high risk pregnancies you will be cared for by a team of specialist doctors and midwives.

Women who have existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure and heart disease) or develop problems during their pregnancy are provided with a combination of visits from doctors and midwives. Obstetricians are specialists in dealing with complications that arise in pregnancy.

Midwifery Group Practice

This is available to eligible women who meet the risk criteria.

You will be cared for by the same midwife supported by a small group of assisting midwives throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth and afterwards at home.

This allows you and the midwives to get to know each other and develop a partnership throughout your care. Your midwife will oversee your care and consult with the obstetrician as needed.

Appointments may be in the hospital, at home or in the community.

Shared care with your GP

Your GP will be the primary health care provider during your pregnancy, with the hospital's specialists and midwives present at the birth.

This option is ideal if you prefer to have most of your visits with your GP.

We recommend you visit the hospital for booking-in at 12-14 weeks, and at 20, 36 and 41 weeks.

Private Midwifery Care

A private midwife or midwife in a team will provide all of your care including when you have your baby and for up to 6 weeks after the baby is born. You can choose your own midwife, but they must have admitting rights to the hospital you plan to deliver at.

You will be responsible for the cost of private midwifery care. Medicare rebates are available.

Maternity Navigator

Maternity Navigators help to make sure you get the right care, at the right time and in the right place. This care option is available if you experience pregnancy complications, especially if you need to travel to access maternity care.

Maternity Navigators will coordinate care between services in your community and the hospital you will give birth at. They will offer choices and identify support available to help achieve the best possible outcomes for you and your baby.

Gumma Gundoo

The Gumma Gundoo outreach team provide care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. You will be cared for during pregnancy, when you have your baby and for up to 6 weeks after your baby is born. Gumma Gundoo run antenatal clinics in Rockhampton, Woorabinda, Capricorn Coast, Biloela and Blackwater.