Maternity services in rural NSW

You may be able to choose the type of care you get during pregnancy and birth. This may depend on where you live in New South Wales (NSW). Think about who you would like caring for you during your pregnancy and birth.

You may choose to get care from:

• the public health system
• the private health system

Public maternity services in NSW

In the public health system, you can choose:

• an antenatal clinic in your local hospital — care is given by midwives. If you need specialist care, you might see a doctor or be referred to an allied health worker (Opens in new tab).
• a midwives clinic — these might be at your local hospital, birth centre or community health centre. Some public hospital midwifery group practices also offer homebirth services.
• GP shared care — you will see your doctor for some appointments and go to the clinic for other checkups.

Most public hospitals offer midwifery continuity of care programs. This means that the same midwife or team of midwives will care for you during your pregnancy.

Private maternity services in NSW

You may want to choose private health care, such as:

• a private obstetrician — in either a public or a private hospital.
• privately-practising midwives (Opens in new tab) — some of your costs may be covered by Medicare.

There are costs for getting private health care. Ask about the costs involved when you call to make an appointment.

If you have private health insurance, it may cover some of your costs.

Read more about public and private care during pregnancy.

You can also read more about maternity care in Australia.

Learn more about levels of care in NSW public hospitals for mothers and newborns (Opens in new tab).

Your options on where you give birth will depend on where you live.

Public birth services in NSW

In the public system you can choose to give birth:

• in a hospital — care is usually given by midwives. Doctors are also available if you or your baby needs them.
• in a birth centre — this is suitable if you don't have any pregnancy complications. You can be transferred to hospital during labour if there are problems.
• at home — again this may be an option if you don't have any pregnancy complications. You can choose to go to hospital during labour if there are problems.

The costs of care in a public hospital are usually covered by Medicare (Opens in new tab).

Private birth services in NSW

If you choose to use the private health care system (Opens in new tab), you can give birth:

• in a public hospital with a private obstetrician or GP obstetrician to care for you
• in private hospitals with a private obstetrician or GP obstetrician
• at home with a private obstetrician, GP obstetrician or private midwife to care for you

If you choose private care, private health insurance can help you cover some of the costs.

In New South Wales, Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Services (AMIHS) (Opens in new tab) support pregnant women.

Birthing on country in rural NSW

Birthing on country (Opens in new tab) 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.

Nowra will be home to the first Aboriginal owned birth centre in Australia. Find out more about birthing on Yuin Country (Opens in new tab).

Ask your Aboriginal health worker or midwife what services are available to you.

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) near you (Opens in new tab).

The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) (Opens in new tab) provides financial assistance towards your travel and accommodation costs.

It can cover:

• private vehicle use
• public transport — trains, buses, and ferries
• taxis or ride share services
• air travel — in special circumstances
• accommodation

If you need to travel a long distance to give birth, try to plan ahead.

For more information on the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (Opens in new tab), call 1800 478 227.

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.