Pregnancy Assessment Centre

Located at Mater Mothers’ Hospitals in South Brisbane, Queensland’s first purpose-built 24/7 Pregnancy Assessment Centre (PAC) provides care for women from the very beginning of pregnancy until six weeks after their baby has been born. The service provides assessment and care for women experiencing pregnancy related complications or concerns during any stage of pregnancy, and postnatally.

PAC is adjacent to Birth Suite and provides around the clock care and assessment for private and publicly-funded women.

PAC is not a general practice clinic, antenatal clinic or general emergency department and only delivers care for pregnancy related concerns. For concerns not related to your pregnancy, please contact your GP or if urgent present to your local emergency department.

Information for patients

This service is free of charge for women who are booked with, or plan to book with a private obstetrician at Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane or Redland. Your private obstetrician will be contacted if you present to the PAC.

If you have private health insurance and are booked in to have your baby at another private maternity hospital, you will still be able to access the service for a fee, which will be provided at the time of the service. We will contact your obstetrician on arrival to the centre.  

The PAC provides access to a specialist obstetrician 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If ultrasounds, blood tests and hospital admission are required, these can be arranged via PAC.

Managed by Mater Midwives, the unit arranges care in the same way as hospital emergency departments, by using a triage process to prioritise women according to their individual situation. Women have the ability to access the support of obstetric, medical and allied health professionals as required.

Please note we do not provide clinical advice over the phone. For urgent assessment of pregnancy related conditions at any stage of pregnancy, please present to PAC.
 

About the Pregnancy Assessment Centre


Reasons to come to Pregnancy Assessment Centre 

Please present to PAC or your private obstetrician if you experience any of the following:

  • vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
  • uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhoea
  • stomach (abdominal) or back pain
  • unusual headaches and/or blurred vision
  • fainting
  • fever
  • constant itching
  • if you are unsure about what is happening to you or you think you are in labour
  • your baby is moving less than usual or you are concerned
  • if your waters break (membrane rupture).

In an emergency situation you should always call 000 for an ambulance. 
 

On arrival at our Pregnancy Assessment Centre

When you arrive in PAC a midwife will assess and triage you. This will determine what care you require and when it will be provided. If your situation is not urgent, you may be asked to wait. The triage midwife will keep you updated about when your next assessment will be performed.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be cared for at the Pregnancy Assessment Centre?

Mater’s Pregnancy Assessment Centre (PAC) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. No appointment is necessary. The PAC is located at the Mater Mothers’ Hospitals in South Brisbane. The PAC provides expert care for:

  • women who may be experiencing problems at any stage during pregnancy, this includes early pregnancy complications
  • women experiencing post natal problems up to six weeks after birth.
  • women in labour who are booked in to deliver at Mater Mothers' Private Brisbane or Redland. 

Who can access the Pregnancy Assessment Centre?

Both private and public funded women can access the service at any stage of their pregnancy, from conception to six weeks after the birth of your baby. The service offers a sensitive approach to early pregnancy complications, and conditions relating to pregnancy, giving women access to treatment and diagnosis in a timely manner.

In what situations should I go to Pregnancy Assessment Centre?

If you are pregnant or within 6 weeks after giving birth, please present PAC if you are experiencing the following:

  • Pain or vaginal bleeding
  • Unusual or offensive vaginal loss
  • Headaches and visual disturbances
  • Constant itching
  • if you are unsure about what is happening to you or you think you are in labour
  • if your waters break (membrane rupture)
  • A decrease in baby’s movements
  • Mastitis
  • Worried feelings after birth of baby

Please remember to bring your pregnancy records with you.

If I think I’m having a miscarriage, is there somewhere I can be away from other pregnant women?

Yes, if you think you may be suffering a miscarriage, we will endeavour to accommodate you in a specific area for early pregnancy assessment. This provides a private area for women who may be suffering bleeding in early pregnancy which is separate to women who may present after 20 weeks.

What happens when I arrive?

When you arrive at PAC you will be met by the triage Midwife. However, the triage Midwife will prioritise women on the basis of need, rather than order of arrival. If your condition worsens whilst you are waiting please let the staff know.  

For private patients who present to PAC you will be seen by a triage midwife and we would prioritise your care. You and your partner or support person may be directed to our private lounge.

Can I come to the Pregnancy Assessment Centre if I am booked into another hospital to deliver my baby?

Yes, PAC is open to everyone during their pregnancy. Women with private health insurance can choose to deliver at the hospital of their choice; however, publicly funded women who live out of the catchment area, will need to deliver at the hospital where they are booked in.

Is there a cost to visit the Pregnancy Assessment Centre?

This service is free of charge for women who are booked with, or plan to book with a private obstetrician at Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane or Redland.

If you have private health insurance and are booked in to have your baby at another private maternity hospital, you will still be able to access the service for a fee, which will be provided at the time of the service. We will contact your obstetrician on arrival to the centre.

Can my partner/support person come with me to the Pregnancy Assessment Centre?

Your partner or support person is most welcome to support you at the PAC. We ask that where possible, children are cared for outside the service for the comfort of other patients. Babies of course are welcome. 

If I visit the Pregnancy Assessment Centre, will my visit and results be passed on to my usual health provider?

A summary of your visit to PAC will be provided to your usual health provider. Please bring the contact information of your usual care provider with you. GPs can also refer to the service.

Where can I park?

There is a limited number of spaces available for emergency drop offs at the main entrance to the Mater Mothers’ Hospitals in South Brisbane. Please endeavour to move your car to an appropriate car park within a five minute timeframe.

There are three multi-storey car parks on the South Brisbane campus—Hancock Street car park, Mater Hill (East and West) car parks and Mater Medical Centre car park. All proceeds from Mater’s car parks support Mater patient care and medical research. These car parks are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

After the birth of your baby

Assessment and care can be provided to you up to six weeks after the birth of your baby, in the following situations (during business hours, you should consider contacting your GP or your obstetrician):

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Any concerns about your wound or stitches
  • A fever or feeling unwell.

If you are well but concerned about breast inflammation and pain, please call Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre on 07 3163 8847 (7.30 am – 3.30 pm), or the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) on 1800 686 268 (24-hour service).

If your baby is unwell, call an ambulance, contact your GP or paediatrician, or take you baby to Queensland Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department.
 

Contact

For urgent assessment of pregnancy related conditions at any stage of pregnancy, please present to PAC or call 13 HEALTH.

Pregnancy Assessment Centre
Level 5, Mater Mothers’ Hospitals
Raymond Terrace
South Brisbane Qld 4101
 

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For urgent assessment at any stage of your pregnancy, please present to your nearest emergency centre or Mater Mothers’ 24/7 Pregnancy Assessment Centre in South Brisbane.

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