Pregnancy care options

Options for antenatal care at WNHS

Dependent on where a woman resides and her individual needs, WNHS has a variety of pregnancy care options.

Community Midwifery Programme (CMP)

This option is available to all women in the Perth metropolitan area who meet the programme’s criteria. The CMP is a continuity of care model which supports women to have their baby in their home within the metropolitan area, at a Birth Centre or in a supporting public hospital. Inclusion and exclusion criteria apply.

 

Referral process

  • Do not send an antenatal referral to WNHS or CRS.
  • Applications for community midwifery are made via registration forms available on our CMP page.

Midwifery Group Practice

Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) provides women within the WNHS catchment area with continuity of care throughout their pregnancy, birth and postnatal period from a small group of midwives. Women choosing this model of care may birth either in the Family Birth Centre (FBC) for low risk pregnancies, or in the main hospital for low, medium to higher risk pregnancies.

Please note on the antenatal referral a woman’s preference or request for MGP care offered via either a) hospital based MGP or b) Family Birth Centre.

 

Hospital based Midwifery Group Practice

Women choosing this model of care intend to birth in the hospital and be may be discharged home at 4 hours, if clinically appropriate. All women receive postnatal support at home from their midwives. This is an alternative model of care for women who do not meet the FBC criteria.

 

Referral process

  • If this is the preferred model of antenatal care, please indicate this on the antenatal referral form that is sent to WNHS at KEMH Referral Co-ordinator.
  • Use the KEMH Antenatal Referral form (PDF) if possible, or GPs own referral template ensuring detailed patient information is included as well as required test results.
  • Provide copies of all first trimester investigations with the antenatal referral form, or after referral with a cover letter detailing tests attached.
  • Send direct to WNHS Referral Co-Ordinator via:

    Email: KEMH.Referrals@health.wa.gov.au
    In Subject line write “Antenatal Referral, MGP, Patient Surname”
    Fax: (08) 6458 1031
    Healthlink: not yet available

 

Family Birth Centre

The Family Birth Centre (FBC) provides care for healthy women for whom a low-risk pregnancy and birth is anticipated using a Midwifery Group Practice model of care.

Please note that they must meet inclusion / exclusion criteria and due to high demand, women must book early. This model of care is available to women outside of the WNHS at KEMH catchment area.

 

Referral process

  • Do not send an Antenatal referral form to KEMH.
  • Bookings can be made online on our Family Birth Centre page.
  • Women choosing this model of care must intend to birth in the Family Birth Centre (FBC) with a low risk pregnancy and be discharged home at 4 hours with postnatal support. This is a no exit model, meaning if complications arise, during the pregnancy the midwives will still provide care and support during hospital based care, delivery and in home postnatal support.

Hospital Midwifery led antenatal clinics

Women with low risk uncomplicated pregnancies may choose to have their care with midwives in the antenatal clinic and deliver in the hospital. This is not a continuity of care model.

 

Referral process

  • Send antenatal referral form direct to WNHS at KEMH Referral Co-ordinator and indicate this option.
  • Use the KEMH Antenatal Referral form (PDF) if possible, or GPs own referral template ensuring detailed patient information is included as well as required test results.
  • Provide copies of all first trimester investigations with the antenatal referral form, or after referral with a cover letter detailing tests attached.
  • Send direct to WNHS Referral Co-Ordinator via:

    Email: KEMH.Referrals@health.wa.gov.au
    In Subject line write “Antenatal Referral, Patient Surname”
    Fax: (08) 6458 1031
    Healthlink: not yet available

GP led Antenatal Shared Care with KEMH

This option enables a woman to continue antenatal appointments with their GP during their pregnancy and to deliver at WNHS at KEMH. Eligible women will see their GP for antenatal care until 36 weeks’ gestation, after the booking appointment with KEMH at 14 to 18 weeks’ gestation. From 36 weeks’ gestation all antenatal appointments will be at WNHS at KEMH.

 

Referral process

  • Please refer to the National Pregnancy Care guideline (external site) and Statewide Shared Maternity Care Guidelines (PDF) for management pathways throughout the pregnancy.
  • Contact the registrar for the woman’s nominated obstetric team if any issues arise during the pregnancy on (08) 6458 2222.
  • Please indicate on the referral that you wish to provide shared antenatal care.
  • Use the KEMH Antenatal Referral form (PDF) if possible, or GPs own referral template ensuring detailed patient information is included as well as required test results.
  • Provide copies of all first trimester investigations with the antenatal referral form, or after referral with a cover letter detailing tests attached.
  • Send direct to WNHS Referral Co-Ordinator via:

    Email: KEMH.Referrals@health.wa.gov.au
    In Subject line write “Antenatal Referral, Patient Surname”
    Fax: (08) 6458 1031
    Healthlink: not yet available

Obstetrician led Antenatal care

Obstetrician led antenatal care is available for women who have:

  • complicated medical history
  • previous pregnancy requiring specialist obstetric care
  • pregnancy that is not progressing normally
  • multiple pregnancy eg: twins

 

Referral process

  • Women will be triaged to these clinics based on the information provided in the antenatal referral.
  • Use the KEMH Antenatal Referral form (PDF) if possible, or GPs own referral template ensuring detailed patient information is included as well as required test results.
  • Provide copies of all first trimester investigations with the antenatal referral form, or after referral with a cover letter detailing tests attached.
  • Please include detailed information where possible regarding medical concerns and copies of relevant test results & letters from treating specialists.
  • Send direct to WNHS Referral Co-Ordinator via:

    Email: KEMH.Referrals@health.wa.gov.au
    In Subject line write “Antenatal Referral, Obstetric care, Patient Surname”
    Fax: (08) 6458 1031
    Healthlink: not yet available

Last Updated: 05/12/2023