Models of maternity care at Mater Mothers' Hospital

If your pregnancy is low risk and your GP provides GPSC you will be allocated to GPSC model of care.

Many GP’s with a special interest in maternity care have attended the GP Shared Care Alignment Course, which provides education about best practice in maternity care.

This model of care supports you with continuity of care during your pregnancy journey and beyond. It means most of your maternity care will be close to you, at home or work with the health professional you already know and your GP will continue to care for you and your baby after the birth. Your GP may have flexible appointment times (Saturdays or after hours) and it may be easier for your partner or support person to attend with you. Also, your GP may have convenient and no cost parking.

In this model of care, you will attend a booking appointment with a Mater Midwife and Obstetrician. You will also have a booked appointment at 36 weeks and if you are pregnant after your due date you will have another appointment with a Mater Midwife. If required, you will also see an Obstetrician at these appointments. Please bring any blood results or ultrasound scan reports to you Midwife appointments. The rest of your regular check-ups will be with your aligned GP.

Your GP and the Mater Mothers’ Hospital will communicate closely during your pregnancy and your GP is able to consult with Mater obstetricians at any time.

Our Mater midwives are committed to providing you with specialised care, education, advice and support throughout your pregnancy journey. Through Mater Mothers’ Hospital’s antenatal clinic, there are specialist midwifery models of care to support women with particular needs. Antenatal clinics are located at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane, as well as through our Community Clinics at Inala, Norman Park, Coorparoo and Brookwater.

• CHAMP Clinic—a service specifically designed for women whose pregnancy may be affected by the use of recreational or prescription drugs, cigarettes or alcohol.
• Women with special needs—if you have any special needs, you will be allocated a model of care to support appropriate planning for your pregnancy and birth.
• Young women—at Mater Mothers’ Hospital we will provide young pregnant women with antenatal care in a relaxed, informal atmosphere at Coorparoo. This team of care providers will provide continuity of care throughout your pregnancy and early parenthood.
• Refugee clinic—a service designed to meet the needs of women from a Refugee background
• Pregnancy after loss clinic—a service designed to support women who have experienced the loss of a baby in their previous pregnancy.
• Obstetric and Midwifery care for women—with known or new Obstetric or medical complications in pregnancy.

The Mater Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) is a public midwifery service providing care for people during pregnancy, labour and birth, and in the first weeks of a child's life. 

Midwifery Group Practice differs to public and private hospital care, or GP shared care in the following ways:

• By having a named midwife (primary midwife) who provides you with direct care during your pregnancy, labour and birth, and for four to six weeks postnatally.
• Support of other midwives who work closely with your primary midwife in small MGP teams of four-five midwives.
• Antenatal group appointments and education for most teams with other pregnant people in a community setting (rather than at the hospital).
• Support from your named midwife to access specialist care through the Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
• Birthing at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, supported by your primary midwife/team, with access to the birth suites and specialist care (if required for you and your baby).
• Discharge from the hospital within four-six hours after birth (if you and your baby are both well) with follow up home visits and support for four-six weeks.
• Phone support and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week from your primary midwife/team.

To find out more, please click on the below link.