Maternity services in rural Western Australia
6-minute read
Key facts
- The type of care you get during your pregnancy and birth will depend on where you live in Western Australia.
- You may be able to claim some of your travel costs through the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS).
- Birthing on Country are programs for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies.
What are my choices for maternity services in rural Western Australia?
Depending on where you live in Western Australia (WA), you can choose who will care for you during your pregnancy.
Your choices for antenatal (before birth) care may include:
- publicly funded midwives, in a midwifery group practice at a local hospital or health centre
- privately practising midwives, if you use an eligible midwife some of the costs are covered by Medicare
- your GP, who might offer 'shared maternity care' with the midwives and doctors at a local hospital
- a private obstetrician (a specialist) at a public or a private hospital
Learn more about maternity care in Australia.
Where can I give birth in rural Western Australia?
Where you choose to give birth will depend on the area you live in and whether you have pregnancy complications.
You can give birth in a hospital, at a birthing centre or at home.
Your choices may include the following:
- Public care in a public hospital. Some hospitals in regional WA provide maternity services. Your costs are usually covered by Medicare.
- A birthing centre may be suitable if you’re staying close by and don’t have any pregnancy complications. Medicare covers the costs.
- A private obstetrician in a public hospital can care for you and your baby. Private health insurance may cover some of your costs.
- A private doctor in a private hospital. Some private hospitals offer maternity services. Again, private health insurance can help you cover some of your costs.
- Midwifery group practice. This means that the same midwife or team of midwives will care for you throughout your pregnancy, labour, and birth.
- Private practice midwives aren’t linked to a hospital or other midwife program. They look after you in your own home. If you use an eligible midwife, some of your costs are covered by Medicare.
You may want to think about a home birth if you don’t have pregnancy complications. Some of the costs of an eligible midwife are covered by Medicare.
Midwifery continuity of care
Midwifery continuity of care is when a midwife (or group of midwives) supports you through your pregnancy and birth.
Getting continuity of care from a midwife you know has many benefits, such as:
- a more positive birth experience
- less interventions during labour
- being more likely to have a vaginal birth
- being more likely to successfully breastfeed your baby
To help you choose the type of care that is best for you, talk with your doctor or midwife.
You can also read more about your maternity care choices at HealthyWA. It’s your choice where to give birth.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
What support is there for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in rural Western Australia?
Birthing on Country in rural Western Australia
Birthing on country is about giving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander babies the best start in life. It includes supporting you in your transition to parenting through culturally appropriate care.
Ask your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker or midwife about programs in your area.
Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) near you.
What if I need to travel long distances to give birth in rural Western Australia?
If you live in country WA you may be able to claim money for travel to health appointments. The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) offers subsidies (money) to reduce your costs of getting to medical services.
The payment will not cover all your travel costs. You will need to pay the difference between the amount you get and the actual cost of your travel.
If you need to travel a long distance to give birth, try to plan ahead. It’s safer for you and your baby if you are staying near a hospital as your due date gets close.
Resources and support
Healthy WA has information on your maternity care choices.
Find out more about parenting in regional and remote areas.
If you are unhappy about the care you get, you may want to learn about making a healthcare complaint.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.