I’m pregnant!!! Now what 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

You’ve been trying to conceive (TTC) and now you’re pregnant, yay! But what’s the next step? As soon as you have that positive test, there’s already a long list of big decisions you didn’t know anything about that need to be made. You may have an idea about the care that your friend or sister have told you about, but you’ve never put much thought into what YOU would want. So why is it so important to find out your options so early, I mean it’s a 40 week process, surely there’s plenty of time to sort it out, right? Well, unfortunately there are a couple of models of care that if you don’t request early enough, you may miss out on the opportunity. Of course, there’s always exceptions to this rule, but in general, it pays to be onto it early. 

Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) for example is a model of care that offers only limited spaces, so unless you have your GP referral sent in early in your first trimester, you may not find any spaces available. Likewise with a popular Private Obstetrician or Private Midwife, there are only so many cases they can take on, so if you have someone that has been highly recommended to you, it’s always a good idea to obtain a referral early. 

So what are my options I hear you asking….? Let’s take a look at a brief overview of all the models of care we have on offer on the Sunshine Coast. 

PRIVATE MIDWIFE 

(SCUH or Home birth) 

Private midwives offer a model of care that can be used within a hospital setting or you may have the option to select a home birth. Usually you will be allocated either your own midwife, or a small group of midwives for your pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.

Some common reasons for choosing this model of care include: 

• Continuity of care (you have an allocated midwife, or small group of midwives to see you through your pregnancy, birth and postpartum) 
• Water birth option 
• Home birth option 
• Woman-centred care 
• Preference for low intervention care wherever possible
• Support through various birth preferences (including but not limited to, vaginal birth, VBAC, & caesarian section) 

SHARED CARE PRIVATE OBSTETRICS 

(Buderim Private) 

This option offers those that are wanting to have private obstetric care, but are looking at a more affordable option. In this program you are under the care of a group of private obstetricians who along with midwives will care for you throughout your pregnancy and birth. 

Some common reasons for choosing this model of care include:

• Preference for Obstetric care 
• Wanting to birth in a Private Hospital 
• Water birth option 
• Having a high risk pregnancy requiring obstetric support 
• Preference for a longer stay in hospital following birth 

GP SHARED CARE 

(Selected GP + SCUH) 

This option is suited to those that have a really great rapport with their GP, and feel confident and safe in their care. It can easily progress from your usual care, and then follow through your pregnancy to postpartum. Additionally, you have care provided by the Midwives and Obstetricians in the public hospital for any needs that arise during your pregnancy. 

Some common reasons for choosing this model of care include: 

• continuity of care from preconception, throughout pregnancy and postpartum (although they will not usually attend your birth and typically pass you on to the hospital around 36-38 weeks)
• Strong Doctor-Patient rapport 

** my tips for anyone wanting to use this model of care: 

1. Ask your GP lots of questions about their experience with Obstetric/Maternal care. You want to be really confident that they have the knowledge and skills to pick up on sometimes even minor details that you might need support with. 
2. Make sure to request a couple of appointments at the hospital, even if not clinically indicated. Simply to familiarise yourself with the surroundings and know what to expect. Particularly if you’ve never spent much time in a hospital until your own birth. It can be a daunting place if you’ve not been there before, and you want to feel calm and safe when you arrive in labour. 

Whatever model of care you select, just remember that we are very blessed here on the Sunshine Coast with exceptional care providers both within the public and private systems. It might seem daunting at first, with more options than you first thought, but I would suggest jotting down on paper some of the things are important to you for your pregnancy and birth. Seeing it written down, you might find that you fit within only a couple of the care models available and this will help narrow down your decision. 

Emmy x 

USEFUL LINKS: 

Connect Student Midwife Program:

https://www.usc.edu.au/about/usc-news/news-archive/2017/march/connect-links-mums-to-be-with-student-midwives

SCUH Maternity booklet:

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/393347/schhs_congratulations_maternity_book.pdf

SCUH Maternity Video Tour:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1nde38onzAhWSzDgGHRteDI0QwqsBegQIBBAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F563517402&usg=AOvVaw1DbO3-z-hHwJO1c6z3CAed

Buderim Private Maternity:

https://buderimprivatehospital.com.au/our-services/maternity

Shared Care Private Obstetrics: 

https://sunshineobstetrics.com.au/welcome

Buderim Private Obstetricians: 

http://buderimprivatehospital.com.au/our-services/maternity/the-maternity-team/our-obstetricians

Private Midwives:

https://coastlifemidwifery.com.au

Home birth: 

https://www.homebirth.org.au

About the Author:
Dr Emmy is trained in the highly effective Fertile Life Method, giving her a broad understanding of Fertility support for both Natural and Assisted Reproductive methods. Emmy has developed an interest in helping people to reach their full health potential, and offers a gentle style of treatment that focuses on the individual’s health goals.You can find out more about Dr Emmy here.

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