Information for pregnant women

The birth of your baby is a joyous time and Canterbury Maternity Unit will continue to support you and your family during your pregnancy and birth.

Canterbury Hospital is a level 4 maternity service and a level 3 neonatal service, you can read more about maternity and newborn levels of care in NSW public hospitals here.

More information

Our team is here to support you.

Read our Frequently asked questions for expectant parents

See our Parent Education resource library

Antenatal Care

To book in to have your baby at Canterbury Hospital or to make/change an appointment please call 91532091 or 91532092

Your first appointment will be with a midwife at around 12 weeks. Ask your GP to send an e-referral to Canterbury Hospital and include your preferred pregnancy care option as outlined below

Midwifery Group Practice (MGP)

In the MGP model women are assigned their own midwife who provides continuity of care throughout pregnancy, labour and birth. The midwives work in a group of 4-6 and work on call. After the baby is born the MGP midwife will care for the woman at home until the baby is 2 weeks old. To book into this model please email: SLHD-Canterbury-MGP@health.nsw.gov.au.

Canterbury Antenatal Postnatal Service (CAPS or MAPS)

In the CAPS model the woman will have a named midwife who she is able to contact directly via their mobile. The CAPS midwife will care for women at home, in the community or in the hospital for all antenatal care during business hours. After the baby is born, the CAPS midwife will care for women and babies at home until the baby is 2 weeks old. To book into this model email
SLHD-CAPS@health.nsw.gov.au.

GP Antenatal Shared Care
Antenatal care can be shared between a General Practitioner (GP), who is affiliated with the Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC) program, and hospital midwives and doctors, including CAPS.
This option is offered to women considered to be healthy and with a pregnancy at low chance of developing complications.
You will see your GP for most of your antenatal visits, and then attend the hospital for scheduled visits with the midwives, generally at around 12, 30, 37 and 40 weeks.
You may also see an obstetrician if needed.  The GP is not involved in the birth of your baby but will see you for your post birth check-up.

Midwives Clinics
Pregnancy care is provided by the team of midwives working in the Midwifery Clinic, to women with a low to moderate risk of complications in pregnancy.
Appointments are provided at the Canterbury Antenatal Clinic. Visits can also be arranged with doctors, mental health clinicians or other specialists if required.
During your stay in hospital, you will be cared for by the midwives in the Birthing Unit and Postnatal Ward. Women who live within the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) geographical boundaries will receive postnatal visits from our Midwifery @ Home midwives. Women living outside of SLHD may be referred to their local postnatal home visiting service, however we cannot guarantee that postnatal home visits will be available.

CMC Complex Care Clinic
Some women who also require specialised pregnancy care may be referred to the CMC Complex Care Clinic. This clinic is typically run by the Clinical Midwifery Consultant (CMC), who works closely with you and the obstetric team to plan your pregnancy, labour, and birth. The CMC may also provide home visits after your baby is born to support your postnatal care.

Private Obstetricians
You may choose to have your care with a private obstetrician who will provide all your pregnancy care in their private rooms. Your private obstetrician will be present at the birth of your baby.
Women who choose care with a private obstetrician will have a midwifery booking visit at Canterbury Antenatal Clinic to coordinate your care. Your GP can provide a referral to a private obstetrician who practices at Canterbury Hospital. You will need to check your health fund regarding your hospital insurance cover and check with your obstetrician, with regard to their fees.

Specialised Pregnancy Clinics:

• Hypertensive Disease of Pregnancy Clinic
• Endocrine Clinic (gestational diabetes and thyroid disease in pregnancy)
• General Obstetric Clinics

Bookings

Pregnant women can be referred to the above pregnancy care options by their GP, using the HealthLink electronic referral system or for GP practices without a compatible practice software system referral can be made through the MyHealthLink Portal or by fax, using the SLHD Fax coversheet.

Childbirth and Parenting programs

Our face to face Childbirth and Parenting programs, are being held two Saturdays per month. Childbirth and Parenting education programs cover pregnancy, labour, postnatal and breastfeeding.

We invite expectant parents to view our Canterbury Maternity virtual tour in advance of their birth at Canterbury Hospital. Please see link below. The virtual tour is also available in the following languages: Arabic, Bangla, Cantonese, Mandarin, Rohingya and Vietnamese.

Please register for Childbirth and Parenting classes via the following link:
SLHD Parent Education Online Booking Form

Please call 91532091 or 91532092 to register for your Free Breastfeeding Education Class, delivered on Teams (virtual)

CPR and first aid for babies and children

CPR Kids now onsite at Canterbury Hospital.

For mothers, fathers, parents, partners, grandparents, support people and any carers of children. Run by expert paediatric nurses, CPR Kids provide an interactive course which will empower you and your family with the life-saving skills of CPR and first aid, covering children aged 0 to eight years. You will learn how to respond calmly and effectively in an emergency and how to prevent, recognise and respond to the most common first aid situations affecting young children, such as choking, burns, head injury and much more.

For more information about CPR Kids, please fill out the SLHD Parent Education Booking Form

 

Video-Tour of Canterbury Birth Unit

Video-Tour of Canterbury Birth Unit - Arabic

Video-Tour of Canterbury Birth Unit - Bangla

Video-Tour of Canterbury Birth Unit - Cantonese

Video-Tour of Canterbury Birth Unit - Mandarin

Video-Tour of Canterbury Birth Unit - Rohingya

Video-Tour of Canterbury Birth Unit - Vietnamese

Birth

If you have concerns or think you are in labour, please call the Birthing Unit on 91532134 or 91532135 or 91532136. The midwife will discuss your symptoms and give you advice on whether you should attend hospital.

When you arrive at hospital, please go to the main entrance Level 3, Thorncraft Parade, Campsie. At the entrance, there is a screening station where staff will check for risk of COVID-19. You will then be directed towards the Birthing Unit.

Postnatal

Most women stay in hospital for 4-24 hours after a normal birth or 48-72 hours after a caesarean section. We are working with women and their families to try and reduce the length of stay in hospital after birth. We would be grateful if you could make any arrangements necessary to support your return home.

Please talk to your midwife about visiting hours

Postnatal Resource Booklet

The SLHD offers breastfeeding support - English

 

Breastfeeding Support - Thai

 

Breastfeeding Support - Simplified Chinese

 

Breastfeeding Support - Korean

 

Breastfeeding Support - Arabic

 

Breastfeeding Support - Bangla

 

Breastfeeding Support - Mongolian

 

Breastfeeding Support - Nepali

 

Risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy

• If you are pregnant, you may be worried about how COVID-19 could affect you and your baby.
  We encourage you to talk with your midwife or doctor about any worries or questions.
  The NSW Government website has up to date COVID-19 advice for pregnant women and new parents.
  COVID-19 advice for pregnant women and new parents | NSW Government
  
  
• If you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in pregnancy, please call your midwife or doctor for advice.
  Coronavirus (COVID-19) and pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby (pregnancybirthbaby.org.au)
  
  
• If you have concerns or think you are in labour, please call BIRTH UNIT 91532134 or 91532135 or 91532136 to talk with a midwife.
  
  
• Information for parents and carers on COVID-19, vaccinations and tips to help protect you and your family.
  COVID-19: family guide | Raising Children Network
  
  
• You can continue to breast feed if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
  Sydney Local Health District offers breastfeeding support from your very first antenatal visit. Breastfeeding support is provided free of charge and is available during your stay in hospital and postnatally within the community.
  Breastfeeding (nsw.gov.au)