If there are no complications, a midwife will deliver the baby. Midwives in Australia are highly qualified health professionals with university qualifications, as well as specialised hospital training. In some hospitals, bilingual midwives are available to provide antenatal care. A few hospitals also have a team of midwives who provide antenatal care, deliver the baby and provide care and support in the first few weeks of parenthood. The obstetrician will provide antenatal care and deliver the baby.
Antenatal classes are available at the hospital.
They're a great way to learn how to look after yourself during pregnancy, to prepare for childbirth and find out more about what will happen in hospital, including options available for labour and for pain relief. It's also a good way to make friends with other women in your area who are having babies. In some hospitals antenatal classes are given by bilingual midwives, or may have interpreters available. If you don't speak English, some hospitals have obstetric liaison officers. These bilingual health workers provide education and support.