Westmead Hospital runs a midwifery antenatal shared care program. This program is based on evidence showing the benefits to both mother and baby of continuity of care. Antenatal Shared Care programs are available to women with low-risk pregnancies. The program gives you the choice of having all of your antenatal care provided by a private practising midwife.

Do you wish to make use of the Westmead Hospital Antenatal Shared Care Program? You will need to attend a booking visit at the hospital antenatal clinic. The rest of your visits are with your private practice midwife. You can book directly with your midwife. Alternatively, the hospital midwives may refer you if you are eligible for the privately practising midwife Antenatal Shared Care program.

Jane Palmer is accredited with Westmead Hospital to provide antenatal shared care. Jane can provide your antenatal care at the clinic at North Parramatta. Alternatively, you can arrange a home visit. If any issues arise during your pregnancy, our midwives will refer you to the doctors at Westmead Hospital. As part of the shared care program, our midwives will not be able to attend to you in labour. The midwives (and doctors if needed) at Westmead Hospital will provide your birthing care.

If you need further assistance following your birth our midwives can provide postnatal care after you have been discharged from Westmead Hospital’s care. Ideally, you need a midwife to see you and your baby for postnatal checks and breastfeeding support.

Book with Jane Palmer

Please press the button below to schedule an appointment with Jane. Alternatively, you can phone 02 9890 5687 Monday to Friday between 08:00 am and 04:00 pm.

Schedule Appointment

Appointments are available in Jane’s clinic or in the comfort of your home. If you wish to book a home visit, please make sure you live within the circle on the map.

Midwifery home visiting area
Midwifery Shared Care

REASONS TO CHOOSE ANTENATAL SHARED CARE WITH YOUR MIDWIFE

Your midwife knows you and your family and can often provide more personalised and comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care for you and your baby. Seeing your midwife can mean more flexibility with appointments and many women also prefer the continuity of care that a midwife can provide.

HOW DO I FIND OUT IF I CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?

Ask your midwife at Westmead Hospital’s booking-in clinic for a referral to the Privately Practising Midwife Antenatal Shared Care program. Your suitability for Antenatal Shared Care will be assessed during your booking visit. Influencing factors include any pre-existing diseases, your previous obstetric history and other personal factors.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY MIDWIFE IS ACCREDITED?

You can simply ask your midwife if they are accredited with the Antenatal Shared Care program.

Other options available for Antenatal Care include:

  • Attending the antenatal clinic at Westmead Hospital
  • Seeing Westmead Hospital midwives at locations outside of Westmead Hospital
  • Employing the services of a private obstetrician.
  • Seeing a Shared Care GP

EXAMPLE OF VISIT SCHEDULE WITH ANTENATAL SHARED CARE MIDWIVES

Week 12 Midwife First antenatal visit
Weeks 12-15 Hospital Booking-in visit with midwife
Week 18 Midwife Routine check
Week 20 Ultrasound
Weeks 24-26 Midwife Routine check
Week 28 Midwife
or Hospital
Routine check
Week 31 Midwife Routine check
Week 34 Midwife
or Hospital
Routine check
Week 36 Midwife Routine check
Week 38 Midwife Routine check
Week 39 Midwife Extra routine check for first-time mothers
Weeks 40-41 Midwife Routine check
Week 41 Midwife Post dates assessment
Birth to
6 weeks
Midwife Postnatal check
6 – 7 weeks Midwife Mother and baby check

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MIDWIFERY SHARED CARE

You can either call to find out more details about midwifery shared care on 02 9890 5687 or make an appointment online below. You can also see Westmead Hospital’s Website or call the Westmead Hospital Antenatal Clinic 02 8890 6508.

Costs to a midwife for midwifery shared care

Description Length of Visit Private Cost to Women Medicare Scheduled Fee 85% Rebate From Medicare Out of Pocket – GAP Safety Net Cap
First Visit 60 minutes $180.00 $60.85 $51.75 $128.25 $25.80
Short Antenatal 20 minutes $65.00 $36.85 $31.35 $48.65 $19.30
Long Antenatal 60 minutes $180.00 $60.85 $51.75 $128.25  $25.80
Maternity Care Plan 90 minutes $340.00 $363.40 $308.90 $31.10 $64.30

* Safety Net Payment – additional rebate for Australian families and singles who incur out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-eligible out-of-hospital services. You may be eligible to receive this payment in addition to the standard Medicare rebate for midwifery services once you reached the annual threshold of out-of-pocket expenses. To find out more visit Medicare’s website.