Private Midwife
A private midwife is a registered and self-employed midwife. They can provide continuity of care throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.
There are Medicare rebates for eligible people. Antenatal and postnatal care are generally provided in your home. Labour and birth care can be provided in the hospital or some people may be suitable to labour and birth at home.
Private Obstetrician
A private obstetrician is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Antenatal care will be provided at their offices. Some obstetricians employ a midwife who may also be involved in your antenatal care.
You will be cared for in labour by midwives employed by the hospital. Your doctor will be closely involved and will normally be present at the birth of your baby. The private obstetric birthing unit is located at Calvary John James Hospital, although you also have the choice to birth at Centenary Hospital for Women and Children or North Canberra Hospital, depending on where the obstetrician has admitting rights.
Postnatal care is provided in the postnatal ward of the hospital where you birth. Follow up care is provided in the obstetricians’ offices.
There are generally out of pocket charges for private obstetric and hospital care.
For more information visit having a baby in Canberra.
