Pregnancy and birth services
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Having a baby is an exciting time. No matter your circumstances, involving health services early and fully understanding your childbirth options will give you a great start to a rewarding birth experience. Learn about who’s who during pregnancy, birth and newborn care. Understand which records and paperwork are required as well as payment options for having a baby and newborn care in Victoria.
Information in your language
Information in your language about pregnancy and post natal
- Congenital anomalies (birth defects)
Congenital anomalies (birth defects) are structural or functional differences in a baby’s body or genetics that are there before birth.
- Death of a baby
Miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death is a shattering event for those expecting a baby. Grief and anxiety about subsequent pregnancies are common in these circumstances but counselling can help.
- Diabetes - gestational
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears when the pregnancy is over.
- Miscarriage
A range of feelings is normal after a miscarriage, and they often linger for some time.
- Premature babies
Sometimes premature labour can be delayed to increase a baby's chance of survival.
- Childbirth - pain relief options
Understanding your pain relief options can help you cope better with the pain of childbirth.
- Death of a baby
Miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death is a shattering event for those expecting a baby. Grief and anxiety about subsequent pregnancies are common in these circumstances but counselling can help.
- Developing a birth plan
A birth plan is a written summary of your preferences for when you are in labour and giving birth.
- Overdue babies
Only about 5 per cent of pregnant women actually give birth on the exact date they are due.
- Pregnancy - tests and scans
A range of tests and scans are available to pregnant women to confirm pregnancy and monitor the baby's development in the womb.
- Pregnancy and birth care options
Pregnant women in Victoria can choose who will care for them during their pregnancy, where they would like to give birth and how they would like to deliver their baby.
- Who’s who during pregnancy, birth and newborn care
Depending on the model of care you chose for your antenatal and labour care, you might see a few or all of the healthcare professionals listed below who will take care of you during your pregnancy.
- Maternal and Child Health services
Your local Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service will be a great source of support after your baby is born.
- First days after birth
Learn about newborn care, including skin-to-skin bonding, bathing safely, postnatal recovery and depression.
- First weeks after birth
Use help and advice from family, friends and healthcare services to stay healthy, happy and well supported during the first few weeks after childbirth.
- Newborn bloodspot screening
Every newborn baby in Australia is offered a test for the rare medical conditions of phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
- Personal and relationship services
There are personal and relationship services available to you that offer counselling and relationship advice.
- Specialised care for your baby
If your baby is sick at birth or born premature they will be cared for in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN) to support feeding, breathing and early development.
- Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.
- Homebirth
Having a baby at home can be an option for pregnant women who are healthy, have a low-risk pregnancy and live close to a hospital in case the birth does not go to plan.
- Pregnancy and birth care options
Pregnant women in Victoria can choose who will care for them during their pregnancy, where they would like to give birth and how they would like to deliver their baby.
- Questions to ask your obstetrician or midwife
The cost of having a baby in Victoria can vary considerably, depending mostly on whether you use the public or private health system.
- Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.
- Conceiving a baby
Most women under the age of 40 years who want to become pregnant (conceive) will achieve this within 12 months of starting to try. Here we explain how you can improve your chances of pregnancy.
- Paying for pregnancy, birth and newborn baby care
The cost of having a baby in Victoria can vary considerably, depending mostly on whether you use the public or private health system.
- Pregnancy - medication, drugs and alcohol
Most women take a drug of some kind during pregnancy, sometimes without realising the potential for harm.
- Pregnancy - week by week
Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters and lasts around 40 weeks. Includes details of what happens each week from conception to birth, embryo size, baby development and where to get help.
- Pregnancy and birth care options
Pregnant women in Victoria can choose who will care for them during their pregnancy, where they would like to give birth and how they would like to deliver their baby.
- Pregnancy support - fathers, partners and carers
Whether you are the baby's father, the pregnant woman's partner or are supporting a single mother-to-be, you have a crucial role in ensuring she gets the pregnancy support she needs.
- Public fertility care Victoria
Public fertility care services are giving more Victorians the chance to become parents.
- Weight, fertility and pregnancy health
Compared with women in the healthy weight range, women who are carrying extra weight are less likely to conceive.
- Who’s who during pregnancy, birth and newborn care
Depending on the model of care you chose for your antenatal and labour care, you might see a few or all of the healthcare professionals listed below who will take care of you during your pregnancy.
- Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.
- Nurse-on-Call - 1300 60 60 24
Nurse-on-Call is a free, confidential telephone helpline that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.
- Maternal and Child Health services
Your local Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service will be a great source of support after your baby is born.
- Medical terms and definitions during pregnancy and birth
Like all areas of medicine, pregnancy and childbirth has a number of specialised terms, many of which you will hear during your own pregnancy and labour, and the birth of your baby.
- Paying for pregnancy, birth and newborn baby care
The cost of having a baby in Victoria can vary considerably, depending mostly on whether you use the public or private health system.
- Pregnancy and birth care options
Pregnant women in Victoria can choose who will care for them during their pregnancy, where they would like to give birth and how they would like to deliver their baby.
- Pregnancy and birthing services for different language or cultural needs
If you are pregnant and have specific cultural or language needs, the first step is to notify your local maternity hospital about your requirements.
- Records and paperwork for maternal health care and babies
When you are having a baby in Victoria, there are various records and other documents that need to be accessed, created or completed.
- Who’s who during pregnancy, birth and newborn care
Depending on the model of care you chose for your antenatal and labour care, you might see a few or all of the healthcare professionals listed below who will take care of you during your pregnancy.
- Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.
- Confidentiality and privacy in healthcare
There are laws that set out how healthcare professionals can collect and store your health information and when they are allowed to share it.
- Patient and carer rights in hospital
You and your carers should expect clear communication about medical issues and treatment options and costs in hospital in a way that you can understand.
- Second opinions
You have the right to ask a doctor for a second opinion if you are unsure about your doctor's suggested medical treatment or a diagnosis.
- Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.
- Maternal and Child Health services
Your local Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service will be a great source of support after your baby is born.
- Pregnancy - antenatal checks of your baby
A midwife or doctor will use abdominal palpation during an antenatal visit to examine a baby's position and development.
- Pregnancy - tests and scans
A range of tests and scans are available to pregnant women to confirm pregnancy and monitor the baby's development in the womb.
- Pregnancy and birth care options
Pregnant women in Victoria can choose who will care for them during their pregnancy, where they would like to give birth and how they would like to deliver their baby.
- Pregnancy tests - maternal serum screening
Maternal serum screening can indicate increased risk of abnormalities in the unborn child, but is not a diagnosis.
- Pregnancy tests - ultrasound
Ultrasound is used during pregnancy to check the baby's development and to help pick up any abnormalities.
- Who’s who during pregnancy, birth and newborn care
Depending on the model of care you chose for your antenatal and labour care, you might see a few or all of the healthcare professionals listed below who will take care of you during your pregnancy.
- Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.
- Abortion in Victoria
Some abortion services in Victoria offer reduced fees to students, healthcare card holders and those experiencing financial difficulty.
- Abortion information translated into community languages
In Victoria, you can have two types of abortion: surgical and medication. Both types are safe and reliable. You can have a medication abortion up to nine weeks of pregnancy. You can have a surgical abortion from around six weeks of pregnancy onwards.
- Abortion procedures - medication
Information about medication abortion (also known as medical abortion or the 'abortion pill') - includes how medication works, appointments, what to expect, side effects, possible risks, self-care.
- Abortion procedures - surgical
Abortion is one of the most common and safest types of surgery in Australia.
- Contraception - choices
Different methods of contraception available in Australia - includes LARC implants and IUDs, injections, contraceptive pills, condoms, diaphragm, vaginal ring, sterilisation, natural and withdrawal.
- Contraception information translated into community languages
This page shows you where to find translated information about the different methods of contraception (how to prevent getting pregnant) available in Australia
- Pregnancy - unplanned
Information about unplanned pregnancy including pregnancy options (such as medical and surgical abortion, adoption, foster and kinship care), pregnancy counselling and where to get help.
- Women's sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services for Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people.
Reviewed on: 10-03-2023