Pregnancy and birth

Due to the COVID-19 response, we need to keep making changes to the way we deliver Women, Youth and Children health services to keep our women and babies safe. We encourage you to regularly check our Temporary changes page for the latest advice.

When you find out you’re pregnant, call 5124 9977 to arrange an appointment with a midwife to access ACT public maternity care. This appointment will occur after you are 10 weeks pregnant. The midwife will talk to you about your pregnancy and birthing options, your health care needs and personal preferences and find the best maternity care for you.

An early pregnancy and parenting support phone line has been established to support women with early pregnancy, maternal and child health, breastfeeding and emotional wellbeing concerns. You can call 5124 1775 from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. Please leave a voicemail with your name, best contact number and reason for your call and a health professional will return your call.

For the latest information, please read the COVID-19 information for pregnant women fact sheet.

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When you first find out you’re pregnant you’ll be faced with lots of decisions – everything from what to name your baby right through to which pram you’ll use.

One of the most important decisions you’ll make is the type of care you want to receive throughout your pregnancy and birth.

Canberra Maternity Options is a single access point for all public maternity care in the ACT.

If you are planning a pregnancy you can attend a free information session to learn about the different types of care available during your pregnancy and birth. To book, visit Eventbrite.

I think I’m pregnant, what now?

If you think you are pregnant you can take a pregnancy test or visit your GP. Your GP will be there to provide health advice, discuss any concerns you may have and support the long term needs of your growing family.

Once your pregnancy is confirmed and you would like to receive care in the public system you will need to:

  • call 5124 9977 to book a meeting with a midwife (they will see you when you are about 10 weeks pregnant)
  • book an appointment with a GP for early pregnancy care
  • meet a midwife at a community health centre close to home.

You can also attend a free early pregnancy information session. To book, visit Eventbrite.

You may choose to see a private obstetrician for your pregnancy care. If this is the case, please see your GP to get a referral to see an obstetrician of your choice. Private midwifery services are also available across the ACT.

Why do I need to attend a maternity options appointment?

We heard from mums and mums-to-be that it’s not always clear what to do when you first find out you’re having a baby and it’s tricky to find out about all the public birthing options that are available to you. That’s why we’ve introduced Canberra Maternity Options.

To access public maternity care in the ACT, you need to make an appointment with a midwife for when you are about 10 weeks pregnant, so your preference of care can be sent to your chosen hospital as soon as possible.

You will need to meet with a midwife even if this is not your first pregnancy or if you have already decided which model of pregnancy care you’d like.

Your first appointment usually takes one hour and the midwife will ask questions about: 

  • your health and medical history
  • your personal preferences of how you would like to be cared for during your pregnancy and birth.

The health and wellbeing assessment and discussion will help the midwife identify what suitable pregnancy care and birthing options are available for you to choose from.

If your GP identifies risk factors while confirming your pregnancy, they may refer you directly to the Fetal Medicine Unit.

We encourage you to read up on what pregnancy and care options are available before meeting with the midwife.

Your first meeting with a midwife will be close to home at one of the following locations, including:

  • Belconnen Community Health Centre: 56 Lathlain Street, Belconnen
  • City Health Centre: 1 Moore St, City
  • Dickson Community Health Centre: 111 Dickson Pl, Dickson
  • Florey Child Health Centre: 57 Ratcliffe Crescent, Florey
  • Gungahlin Child and Family Centre: 51 Ernest Cavanagh St, Gungahlin
  • Gungahlin Community Health Centre: 51 Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin
  • Kambah Health Centre: 37 Kingsmill Street, Kambah
  • Lanyon Child Health Centre: 23 Sidney Nolan Street, Conder
  • Narrabundah Early Childhood Centre: 23 – 27 Kootara Crescent, Narrabundah
  • Ngunnawal Child Health Centre: 103 Wanganeen Avenue, Ngunnawal
  • Phillip Community Health Centre: 17 Corinna Street, Phillip
  • Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre: 159 Anketell St, Greenway
  • Tuggeranong Community Health Centre: 159 Anketell Street, Greenaway
  • West Belconnen Child and Family Centre: 6 Luke Street, Holt

Pregnancy care and birthing options

Now you’re pregnant

Centenary Hospital for Women and Children

Calvary Public Hospital

Maternity Services at CHWC

Page last updated on: 28 Jan 2021