Antenatal Shared Care Program
Antenatal Shared Care Programs in the Illawarra and the Shoalhaven provide women with options for care throughout their pregnancy.
SHOALHAVEN
For all enquiries about pregnancy services phone 44239240
ANTENATAL CLINICS
Midwives can provide shared care (with the patient’s GP/Obstetrician) for women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
Shared care antenatal clinics are on Monday, Thursday & Friday mornings and Wednesday afternoon/evenings. No referral is required to access these clinics – just a phone call to make an appointment.
Benefits of midwifery care include – an opportunity to meet midwives who may care for you during labour, birth and in the early days; lower intervention rates; increased levels of breastfeeding; and satisfaction with care.
Phone for an appointment on 44239589
OBSTETRIC STAFF SPECIALIST CLINIC
This clinic is on Tuesday mornings. Women requiring Obstetric care/review are referred to the clinic by their GP.
Phone for an appointment on 44239240
ABORIGINAL MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH SERVICE (AMIHS)
This is service is staffed by Aboriginal Health Education Officers and a Registered Midwife.
Illawarra
The Antenatal Shared Care Program is based at Wollongong Hospital and aims to provide pregnant women in the Illawarra with an option to see their GP throughout their pregnancy.
Aims of the Antenatal Shared Care Program
- Provide pregnant women with flexibility, choice and continuity of care;
- Cater for the preferences and needs of women from a diverse range of cultural and religious backgrounds;
- Enhance skills of GPs caring for women during pregnancy; and
- Promote communication between GPs and the participating hospitals.
Pregnancy Care in Illawarra - A guide for GPs
Antenatal Shared Care Protocol
Joining the ANSC Program
ANSC Statistics for the Past 12 Months - Last updated August 2012
Education Sessions
Our next ANSC updates for 2013 are confirmed for
- Wednesday May 22, 6.00pm - 9.00pm
- Saturday August 17, 1.30pm - 4.30pm
** Please note food will be served half an hour prior to commencement of the seminar
If you have any suggestions for case studies please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Vitamin D
According to Alexia Pape (our endocrinologist) the general pregnant population has a higher vitamin D requirement and a supplement to around 1000IU/day is usually a good idea during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Since introducing vitamin D to our early antenatal testing, the following recommendations have been introduced:
- Minimum level of 50 nmol/L achieved
- If <50, give 2000IU/day and recheck levels in 10-12 weeks
Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS)
If your patient has any of the following criteria:
- <20 weeks pregnant
- Non-viable pregnancy on ultrasound
- Experiencing bleeding and/or pain
- Stable condition
- Requiring simple analgesia only
Please make an appointment with EPAS service (women can call themselves or Elizabeth will contact them from your referral
Please ensure you send:
- Referral letter
- BhCG quantitative
- FBC, Abs, Group
- U/S
Note: if your patient is bleeding heavily and requires more than simple analgesia, or is unwell - please send them to ED
For further information about the EPAS service, please contact the Midwife Coordinator Elizabeth Hirst on 4253 4270 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
EPAS Hours: Mon-Fri (excl. public holidays) 8am - 12md
Contact: Phone 4253 4270 or through Wollongong Hospital Switch:
Phone 4222 5000 page 312, Fax 42534257
Location: Level 2 Antenatal Clinic, Block C, Wollongong Hospital
Illawarra Shoalhaven Medical Local Perinatal Mental Health Service
The ISML Perinatal Mental Health Service supports mothers, fathers and families of those experiencing perinatal depression (PND) (i.e. during the pregnancy period, or in the first two years of the child's life) and associated problems (e.g. anxiety). This service is offered at no cost to you upon referral by an appropriate health provider. For further information about this service please click here.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Website
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District website aims to provide viewers with a snapshot of Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District; the types of services provided and how to access these services. The site includes useful information for patients and families and ultimately improves patient access to health information. There are links to NSW Health fact sheets, Government Directory, and other websites including My Hospitals and Bureau of Health Information. The site is regularly updated to include events and initiatives. You can access the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District website here, http://www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/
NSW Health Department Antenatal Care Record (code PNC2: 612060)
Resource available through Practice Support, please contact at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Further Information
Notes from Past Education Sessions
Resources For General Practitioners
Pregnancy Information For Women
For further information about the Antenatal Shared Care Program please contact the SESIAHS Antenatal Shared Care Coordinator Leanne Cummins on 4253 4271 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
