Birthing Options in the Somerset Region, QLD
Omg… I’m pregnant! You may be feeling excited, overwhelmed, shocked or all of these at once and that’s okay. Your life is about to change, and this experience is something you will always remember and such a special time in your life.
It is so important to choose the right model of care for you and your baby. Choosing the right model of care and care provider can be the difference between a beautiful birth experience or one you may be left feeling sad, disappointed and even traumatised from.
Once you’ve done your research and know what sort of birth you envision You can go for tours, meet the care providers, get a feel for the environment and ask lots of questions to find out if they support and align with what you want for your birth.
There are lots of different options available so I have put them all together for you. Below you will find the birthing options available to you in the Somerset Region, QLD.
Public Hospital
Ipswich Hospital and Toowoomba Hospital dhe public system your GP will send through a referral to the hospital in your catchment area. There are two Public hospitals in our catchment depending on where you ae located,
Ipswich Hospital and Toowoomba Hospital
Birthing in the Public system is free as all appointments and scans are bulk billed, and you have easy access to specialist doctors and services if you need them and you have easy access to the Baby care Unit if you need it. A downside the birthing in the public system is that you may not see the same midwife / doctor throughout your appointments. You just see whoever is on shift that day and when you birth your baby. If you are wanting to birth in a public system but want continuity of care, you can always look at a Birth Doula.
Private Hospital
You can attend any private hospital you want to, no matter where you live as long as you have private health insurance or are willing to pay out-of-pocket costs. You can also attend a public hospital as a private patient.
It is important to contact your health care provider and also your midwives and doctors about any costs you can expect after birth or if expected circumstances occur.
Birthing in the Private system you are able to choose your own obstetrician that specialises in caring for women with complicated pregnancies or special circumstances, Private midwife care is your care provided by a group or 1 midwife throughout your pregnancy and birth, you will also be able to have a private room which your partner may be able to stay in.
GP Shared care
Gp Shared care is a very popular model of care in the Somerset Region as it is at least an hour or more to a birthing hospital. GP Shared care is where you are able to see your GP for some of your antenatal appointments. Not all GP’s will offer this so it’s best to ask early on if they offer this.
There may be a gap fee for your Gp appointments if they are not covered by Medicare but if you are birthing in the Public System all of your scans and hospital appointments will be bulk billed.
Independent Midwife
An independent midwife is a great option for continuity of care, some have admission rights to certain hospitals so they can be your caregiver or you can birth in the comfort of your own home.
Although Medicare may cover some costs you will be required to pay out of pocket for all prenatal and postnatal appointments.
Click here to find a midwife
Birth Centre
Birth centres are becoming more and more popular each year and are in high demand. There are only 5 Birthing centres in QLD and we are lucky enough to be near 2 of them.
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Click here for more information and contact details
Toowoomba Base Hospital Birth Centre
Click here for more information and Contact details
Birth Centres believe that for many women, pregnancy and birth is a normal life event that requires little intervention from health professionals, we are built to birth.
Birth centres have a more homely feel and are more relaxed than a hospital maternity ward. Upright and mobile labour is encouraged and they are equipped with birth pools, birth balls and lots of other birthing tools.
Birth centres offer continuous care from pregnancy through to the early stages of parenting and you will receive care from the same midwife or a small group of midwives.
You will only be accepted into a birth centre if your Pregnancy is deemed to be ‘low risk’ (you can be transferred to hospital if complications occur during pregnancy or labour)
If you would like to be considered for a place in a birthing centre you will need that make sure that your doctor includes this in your referral and book as early as possible.
Home Birth
Home Birth is becoming increasingly popular, with women choosing to birth in a more comfortable, familiar, homely environment with whoever they want around them. Having your baby at home is generally only an option if you are deemed ‘low risk’. Only a limited number of midwives and doctors are willing to attend home births so it is best to do your research and contact potential midwives and doctors as soon as you can. The main disadvantage of this is that you won’t have easy access to additional services and you may need to be transferred if there are complications.
Free Birth
A free birth is the same as a home birth but with no medical team. It is just you trusting in your ability to birth your baby earthside.
Although in some states it is illegal, Free birth is NOT illegal in QLD.
Doula
Having a doula throughout your pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey could be a difference between a great birth experience or not. Doulas provide continuity of care and research has shown that birthing women who have doulas are more relaxed and have less interventions. Doulas are not medically trained, they are there to support you as a birthing woman. Ensuring you are given evidence-based information for you to make informed decisions during pregnancy, Labour and birth. Some doulas also offer postpartum support and debriefing.
The cost of a doula will be an out-of-pocket expense. A doula can attend any birth you choose to have (Public, Private, home ect) with you to provide continuous care and a friendly familiarity throughout.