Maternity services
Your pregnancy, birth and early weeks as a new mother are a special time for you and your family.
We provide maternity services that are culturally safe and holistic across the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS). Your maternity service options include:
- Pregnancy care (antenatal consultations)
- Birthing services
- Postnatal care (up to six weeks)
Midwives work in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care workers, doctors with skills in obstetrics and anaesthetics and other support workers such as physiotherapists, diabetic educators, dietitians and sonographers.
TCHHS offers a Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) model for all women accessing maternity care. This means as a pregnant woman you are allocated a known midwife to provide continuity of care
Your midwife provides individualised care to you and your support network. Your midwife will endeavour to provide much of your care during pregnancy, labour and after the birth until your baby is around six weeks old.
You will also meet the other midwives from the small team your midwife works in as well as the general practitioners and the health workers who work within the maternity service.
Depending on where you live, your care may be provided by a Queensland Health or Apunipima Cape York Health Council midwife.
How to access maternity services
You can access maternity services via your referring doctor or you can call your nearest maternity team to arrange an appointment and discuss the services with you.
| Cooktown | Thursday Island |
|---|---|
Phone: 07 4043 0423 Address: 48 Hope St, Cooktown Qld 4895 | Phone: 07 4069 0222 Address: 163 Douglas Street, Thursday Island Qld 4875 |
| Weipa | Primary Health Care Centres |
Phone: 07 4082 3900 Visiting Hours: 8am to 4pm | Contact your local Primary Health Care Centre for all initial maternity services enquiries. |
Pregnancy care
Antenatal consultations can take place in your home, the maternity service unit, closest Primary Health Care Centre or via telehealth. Partners and support people are most welcome and indeed encouraged to be with you.
Pregnancy loss
If you have suffered a pregnancy loss please know there is help and support available to you:
Birthing services
You will be required to travel to your nearest birthing service or a service of your choice for the birth of your baby. Your local midwife will discuss this with you and plan the best time to travel.
There are currently birthing services at Cooktown MPHS and Thursday Island Hospital.
Two midwives are present for the birth of your baby. Medical advice and care are always available as is access to the operating theatre if required in an emergency.
Non-birthing care
Individualised pregnancy care (antenatal) and care after you have your baby (postnatal) is provided locally through the hospital or primary health care centres, in some communities in collaboration with local Indigenous health services. Your midwife will co-ordinate your care with you and the referral hospital for your birth.
Your maternity services team roles
| Midwives | General Practitioner (Obstetrician) | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker |
|---|---|---|
| The Midwife aims to follow each woman through pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period, across the transition between facilities and the community, so she remains connected to her social and cultural support systems; the focus remaining at all times on the woman and her needs. | An GP (Obstetrician) has completed further training in the care of pregnant women and their babies. They have additional skills to help look after women during their pregnancy and labour and after baby is born. As part of the maternity team, they will monitor the woman's pregnancy and can manage any unexpected complications if they occur. | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health workers play a vital role providing care for parents to be and their families. The health worker is part of the care team and works closely with the midwife and GP to ensure high-quality and culturally-safe care is always given. |
Resources
There is a lot of information available about pregnancy and childbirth, so we have listed some recommended resources for you.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| 1300 MH CALL | Provides access to public mental health services 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will link to your nearest Queensland Public Mental Health service.
Phone: 1300 642 255 |
Information about alcohol – related health issues including women who are pregnant. | |
Information on antenatal and postnatal depression. | |
Breast feeding confidence | Australian Breastfeeding Association | Learn the basics of breastfeeding. A free breastfeeding eBook is available on the Australian Breastfeeding Association home page. |
Providing support for the emotional challenges of becoming a parent | |
Important information regarding immunisation- including schedules. | |
| Mind the Bump | Mindfulness meditation app to help individuals and couples support their mental and emotional wellbeing in preparation for having a baby and becoming a new parent. |
| MumSpace | Support for the emotional health of new mums, at every step. |
| National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline (PANDA) | Free national helpline service for women, men and their families affected by perinatal anxiety and depression.
Phone: 1300 726 306 Monday – Friday, 9am – 7.30pm AEST/AEDT. |
A short-term payment while you’re on leave from work to care for your new child. | |
Information about pregnancy, birth and beyond. | |
| Pregnancy and new parents | BeyondBlue | Information for new and expectant parents, covering everything from bonding with your baby to spotting the signs of anxiety and depression. |
Information on the impact of smoking when pregnant and help to quit | |
Important information for women about Rh (D) blood type in pregnancy. | |
| Coronavirus anxiety and stress | Black Dog Institute | Resources to help deal with this stress. |
| Pregnancy, birth and feeding baby during the COVID-19 | No one plans to be pregnant during a pandemic, but our hospitals and birth centres are always ready to offer you top-quality care. |
Provide feedback on maternity services
As a health service we value your feedback. Please visit “We are listening” and choose your preferred option to provide feedback or suggestions related to the maternity care you received.
