What to expect if I have my baby in hospital

When you find out you're pregnant, you'll choose where to have your baby. You should think about:

• where to give birth — in hospital, in a birthing centre or at home
• your care provider — this can be led by a midwife, local doctor or obstetrician
• whether to use public or private healthcare

Your choice will depend on:

• where you live
• what services are available in your area
• whether complications are expected during your pregnancy and birth

You may have a low-risk pregnancy with a lower chance of pregnancy complications. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, this can affect where you have your baby. You may need extra care or monitoring that's not available in all hospitals.

Most larger hospitals can provide care for both low and high-risk pregnancies and births. Some also offer support for home birth.

This page explains what you can expect when you have your baby in a public or private hospital. Many private hospitals are found near a public hospital.

This page gives general advice only. It's best to speak with your doctor or chosen health service about the services available.

In Australia, the maternity care system is based on woman-centred care. This means that you have the right to respectful maternity care in both public and private hospitals. Your care should be both culturally safe and enable informed choices You can make shared decisions about your care with your chosen healthcare provider.

Make sure that you explore all your birthing options. It's OK to change healthcare providers during your pregnancy. It's important to have a positive, trusting relationship with your care provider.

Talk to your partner, friends and other women for advice. To find the care that's right for you, ask your doctor about local options. If you're not happy, you can change to another care provider during your pregnancy.

Continuity of care

You might like to find out if the hospital offers midwife continuity of care. Continuity of care is where the same midwife, team of midwives or obstetrician care for you throughout your pregnancy and birth. This means that you can get to know your midwife or doctor in the lead up to the birth. The midwife can also visit you in the days and weeks after giving birth.

Midwifery continuity of care is also known as:

• continuity of carer
• caseload
• midwifery group practice
• team midwifery

Both public and private hospitals offer high-quality care for you and your baby.

Advantages of hospital birth

There are some possible advantages of giving birth in a hospital. You should consider if these reasons are important to you.

Most hospitals in Australia offer a range of care options. They will work with you to choose a model of care that best meets your needs.

In many public hospitals, you can choose to have your care from a small group of midwives. Check with your local hospital to see if they offer this option.

In hospital, you can also choose to see a private obstetrician or midwife during your pregnancy and birth.

During labour, hospitals can offer different pain relief options, including:

• gas
• water immersion
• relaxation
• opioid medicines (Opens in new tab)
• TENS
• epidurals

Find out if the pain relief options that are important to you are offered at your chosen hospital.

If you have any complications or need more complex care, hospital maternity units can assess your needs. They can ensure you get maternity care that suits your situation.

Most hospital maternity units can provide emergency care. In some cases, you or your baby may need to be transferred to another service to get care.

There are specialist doctors, operating theatres and intensive care units (ICUs) in all large public hospitals and many private hospitals.

Fees and expenses are low in a public hospital if you have a Medicare card.

You may meet other new parents at the hospital. Most hospitals run birthing classes for you and your support person.

Disadvantages of hospital birth

There are some possible disadvantages of giving birth in a hospital.

Your hospital room might not feel very relaxed. This might affect how you cope with labour.

During labour in a hospital, you might not see the same midwives as those you saw during your pregnancy. You also may not be able to have as many support people as you would like when you give birth.

Giving birth in a private hospital can be expensive. It's a good idea to check how much it will cost. If you have private health insurance, call them to find out which costs they cover.

Private hospitals have a higher rate of birth interventions and caesarean sections than public hospitals. This is partly because women who give birth in private hospitals tend to be older and may have more complex care needs.

Each hospital is different, and not all are equipped to manage every pregnancy complication.

In some hospitals, including those in regional and remote area, some services may not be available on site. In some cases, you may need to be transferred to another hospital to get care for you and your baby.

Speak with your local hospital midwives to understand the level of care they can offer.

You can book into the maternity unit at the hospital of your choice as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.

Your first appointment will most likely be between weeks 10 and 16 of your pregnancy. You can talk to the midwife or doctor about the care options that might best suit you.

Where you have antenatal care depends on if you chose to have public or private care.

Antenatal care in public and private hospitals have some differences. If you have booked into a public hospital, you can go there for your appointments.

If you are using a private obstetrician, you will visit their consulting rooms.

Public care

If you choose to have your baby in a public hospital, the hospital antenatal clinic will do your:

• pregnancy care
• scans
• blood tests

Alternatively, your pregnancy care may be shared by your local doctor (GP) and the hospital. In the shared care model, your tests and scans may be done in the hospital or organised by your doctor.

If you go to the hospital antenatal clinic, you will see a midwife or a doctor at clinic visits. You might not always see the same doctor or midwife during your pregnancy or birth.

You will usually be offered a range of care options. Each unit is different and it's best to talk about the options early in your pregnancy.

Private care

If you choose a private obstetrician, you will give birth in one of the hospitals where your doctor practises.

If you want to give birth at a certain hospital, check which private obstetricians practise at that hospital. In a private hospital, there will be extra costs involved.

Your scans and tests are usually done in their rooms and through private providers.

Generally, midwives will look after you during labour and after the birth.

Your birthing options, who can attend the birth and the services available vary in each hospital.

You might like to have family and friends to support you when giving birth.

Ask your maternity unit about your options when it comes to your support group during your hospital stay.

After you give birth, the hospital midwives will care for you. They'll support you as you learn to care for your new baby.

You might spend a few hours or up to a few days in hospital. How long you stay depends on:

• your recovery
• whether you have had a caesarean birth
• whether you or your baby have any complications

Visiting hours can vary between hospitals, so it's a good idea to check when you can have visitors.

Going home from hospital with your baby

Some people will choose to go home early after their birth, other people would prefer to stay in hospital longer.

Private hospitals generally allow a longer stay than public hospitals.

If you go home early from a public hospital, midwives will usually visit you at home. They will offer care for you and your baby, including breastfeeding advice.

Most public hospitals offer at least one home visit from a midwife. The hospital will then hand over to community care, such as your child health nurse and local doctor.

Adjusting after a difficult birth experience

For some people, childbirth can be overwhelming and difficult. After childbirth, if you feel any of the following, help is available:

• shocked
• guilty
• numb
• anxious
• distressed
• depressed

See your doctor if your symptoms are worrying you. They can refer you for further treatment and support.

Read more about having a traumatic birth experience and where to get help.

Use Pregnancy, Birth and Baby's service finder to help you locate your nearest doctor, obstetrician, maternal child health nurse and other health professionals across Australia.

Read our partner's guide to bringing a baby home.