Shared care for maternity patients is a type of care where healthy women with low-risk pregnancies use the shared services of a GP and a birthing hospital.

Shared care is gaining popularity across Australia for those using the public system as it works to streamline prenatal care. It ensures many patients in rural areas are offered the maternity care they need in the event the pregnancy is classified as low-risk.

Why is shared care popular for healthy pregnant women in Australia?

This style of maternity care works well for women that have a long-standing and close relationship with their GP.

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Benefits of shared care for maternity patients:

• Women often feel more comfortable with their GP – Many women feel comfortable with their GP. If they have a long-standing GP in place, shared care is a wonderful option to ensure their general practitioner has a deep understanding of an individual’s medical history and cultural beliefs.
• Shared care with a GP is often locally based – and if a general practitioner is located close to their home and has a full rundown of their medical history, shared care is a great option.
• Helpful for women with English as a second language – As well as this, many women who have English as their second language might have a GP that speaks their first language and understands their cultural needs, making shared care a viable option.
• Low-risk pregnancies can be supported with GP care – Instead of monthly, fortnightly and weekly appointments with an obstetrician which can be difficult when women are in rural areas, shared care means women get quality care without needing to travel long distances to access specialist care.

Overall, shared care with a GP for maternity care means women have the comfort of seeing their local GP in combination with an experienced obstetrician.

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What does shared care with a GP cost during pregnancy?

The cost will be the same as your usual GP visit – and if your GP bulk bills – there might not be any out of pocket expense at all!

If your local GP offers shared care services and is accredited with the hospital you are looking to deliver your baby, you can ask about the costs involved and whether they bulk bill.

During your pregnancy, the costs of seeing obstetricians can add up as you usually have monthly antenatal visits until 28 weeks, then switch to fortnightly, and finally weekly at 36 weeks.

Shared care offers quality care, without the high cost and inconvenience of having to visit an obstetrician.

Want to find a local doctor in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth?

How do I find a shared care maternity provider?

Your local public hospital will be able to share the essential information you need to find a shared care GP in your local area.

Check with your antenatal clinic and have a chat with them to find which GP’s offer shared care maternity services or ask your friends and family if they have any recommendations for shared care GPs in your local area.