Birthing centres are usually more home-like than hospitals. Birthing centres are run by midwives, and in some centres, water birth is an option.

Whether you're planning to have your baby at home, in hospital or at a midwifery-led birth centre, you should get a few things ready at least two weeks before your due date.

Advice on choosing where to give birth, including a midwifery unit or birth centre, hospital or at home, and what to expect from private and public care.

Find out what happens during the first stage of labour.

Find out what maternity services are available in rural or remote Tasmania.

Find out what maternity services are available in rural or remote South Australia

Find out what maternity services are available in rural or remote NSW

Find out what maternity services are available in rural or remote Western Australia

Water birth is when you give birth to your baby under water. Read on for water birth safety tips, and when a water birth is not recommended.

Child health centres in Australia offer free community services that specialise in the health of mothers and babies. They provide expert help, information and advice.