Pregnancy Care Options

In Australia, overseas visitors, overseas students and patients who are not eligible for Medicare under their current VISA arrangements are required to pay for the cost of their health care. Please contact the Overseas Liaison Officer on (08) 6458 1066 or email KEMHPPLO@health.wa.gov.au to obtain information regarding fees for your appointment.

There are many choices available to women in WA for their pregnancy care options. The WA Department of Health has created a Maternity Services Framework which determines which public hospital a woman can attend, based on her residential postcode. In some cases, if you live outside the boundaries for KEMH, you may still need to access our health service if medical professionals consider it important that you do so.

To view the postcode listings and work out which is your hospital visit the Healthywa website (external site).

KEMH

King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) offers world-class care and wide-ranging support services to WA women with complicated pregnancies, infants born prematurely and those who live locally. Women experiencing a complex or ‘high-risk’ pregnancy may be referred to KEMH for their pregnancy care.

Osborne Park Hospital

Women and Newborn Health Service (WNHS) offer a maternity unit at Osborne Park Hospital (external site) (OPH) which provides obstetric care to women with low to moderate risk pregnancies.

Women may choose this pregnancy care option for general convenience whilst receiving equally specialised care at a small, suburban site. Women who choose to birth at OPH will still have access to all the usual pregnancy support services which includes access to our Breastfeeding Centre WA, Dietitians, Women’s Physiotherapists and Social Workers.

Ask your doctor to request care at OPH when they send your referral. Antenatal shared care with a nominated General Practitioner (GP), or Endorsed Privately Practicing Midwife (EPPM) is also available at OPH.

Family Birth Centre

The Family Birth Centre (FBC) provides care for healthy women for whom a straight forward, low-risk pregnancy and birth is anticipated. The Centre is a home-like environment, care is midwifery led only and available to women from anywhere in the Perth metropolitan area. Due to high demand, it is recommended women book early as places at the FBC are limited. Certain health issues may preclude some women from attending the FBC. If you’re unsure about whether you can attend please check with the FBC midwives. To book with us please complete the booking form (Word).

Midwifery Group Practice

Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) provides women with pregnancy care from the same small group of midwives. Women are cared for by the same midwives for the duration of their pregnancy, labour and birth and in the postnatal period. Women choosing this model of care may birth in the Family Birth Centre (FBC) for low risk pregnancies, or in the main hospital.

Community Midwifery Program

The Community Midwifery Program (CMP) can support you to have your baby in a public hospital, at the Family Birth Centre or in your own home within the metropolitan area. The CMP offers a unique service available to Perth women experiencing a low risk pregnancy. The CMP provides safe, evidence-based, continuity of care from known midwives throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and up to two weeks in the post natal period. The CMP midwives hold antenatal / postnatal clinics and classes in various locations across Perth in order to keep your care within the community. These locations include Joondalup, Kalamunda, Subiaco and Atwell. The CMP pride themselves in protecting, promoting and supporting natural birth with a high percentage of clients choosing to give birth in water.

Homebirth

Home birth is a planned event where a woman chooses to give birth at home, with care provided by a midwife. Under the Community Midwifery Program (CMP), CMP midwives will provide you care during your pregnancy within the community at one of our community clinics. When you go into labour your midwives will come to your home to attend to you through your labour and birth. After the birth CMP midwives will continue to care for you for up to two weeks postnatally.

Hospital Antenatal Clinic Midwives

Women with uncomplicated pregnancies may choose to have their care with midwives at the Antenatal Clinic and deliver in the hospital. Clinic appointments are available on weekdays and on some evenings.

Shared Care

Shared Care: After seeing the midwife/doctor at KEMH for your hospital booking visit, you are then seen by a GP of your choice who is eligible to participate in shared care until approximately 36 to 38 weeks.

Private Practicing Midwife

Some women wish to consider a privately practicing midwife who is self-employed and can admit pregnant women under their care.

Obstetric Doctor Care

This type of antenatal care is only available in our antenatal clinics to women who have:

• A complicated medical history
• Had a previous pregnancy requiring specialist care and/or hospitalisation
• A pregnancy that is not progressing normally
• A multiple pregnancy e.g. twins Some women are transferred from midwifery or shared care to obstetric doctor care if problems occur.

High Risk Referrals from another site

Sometimes women are referred to KEMH at different stages of their pregnancy due to some unexpected complications. We understand it can be unsettling to have your care transferred, however, we will always be sure make your transition to us is as smooth as possible and ask that if you have any questions or uncertainties you contact your health care team. If you transferred to us and you’d like to know more about our service the Pregnancy, Birth and Your Baby book (PDF) is a good place to start as is our Welcome to King Edward Memorial Hospital book (PDF).