Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) or Caseload
Midwifery Group Practice means a small team of 6-8 midwives working in pairs to provide your maternity care throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting.
The purpose of MGP is to provide women with one-to-one continuity of care. Care occurs within the hospital and the community.
MGP care means allocation to a midwife. This midwife is called the known midwife and her partner is called the backup midwife. There will be an opportunity to meet the backup midwife during your pregnancy.
In most instances the MGP midwife (or the backup midwife) will be with you for your birth.
The MGP model incorporates all levels of complex care in collaboration with the medical team. Early discharge is supported with two weeks after birth care in your home.
Sunshine Hospital currently has the largest midwifery group practice in Victoria.
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Homebirth
The homebirth option (currently being piloted) is a Medicare funded program offered to women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. It is a natural extension to MGP as described above, where you will be allocated your known and backup midwife.
You will have the opportunity to meet other Midwives in the MGP team on the first Tuesday of each month at Sunshine Hospital at 2pm.
You will be seen by the designated Obstetrician to confirm your suitability to birth at home. Your Midwife will go through the specific criteria for this homebirth program before you see the Obstetrician.
Some differences:
- You will be seen by the Obstetrician designated to confirm your suitability to birth at home. Your Midwife will go through the specific criteria for this pilot homebirth program before you see the Obstetrician.
- Your midwife (and the backup midwife) will organise for a pregnancy care visit to occur at your home (around 36 weeks).
- Pregnancy care will occur in a community clinic setting.
- Your Midwife will visit you at home up to two weeks after the birth of your baby.
- It is essential to have a current Victorian ambulance subscription.
- The homebirth criteria mean that two midwives will be present with you for your birth.
Our aim is to ensure that your pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenting experiences are positive and safe for you, your baby and your family.
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Shared Maternity Care
The Shared Maternity Care Program is available to all women with low risk pregnancies. This model of care allows women to have affiliated General Practitioner, Obstetrician or Midwife care. The women attend Sunshine Hospital for some pregnancy visits, and for the birth and immediate postnatal care.
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Midwifery Care
For women with uncomplicated pregnancies, pregnancy care is provided by one of our midwives. Appointments are offered in the hospital, including evenings and Saturdays in the Community at Footscray, Sunshine and Seabrook.
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High Risk Care
For women with complicated pregnancies or medical problems, i.e. diabetes; pregnancy care is provided in a multidisciplinary clinic by Obstetricians, Physicians, Midwives and Allied Health professionals.
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Maternity Outreach and Support Service (MOSS)
This is a program for pregnant women with special needs, who may require more intensive monitoring and support throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care, e.g:
- Alcohol and other drug dependencies
- Family violence and other forms of abuse
- Intellectual disabilities
- Mental/emotional health disorders
Pregnancy Day Stay Unit (PDSU)
The PDSU provides a service of assessment and monitoring of women with pregnancy complications. These may include the uitlisation of specific tests, e.g. serial blood pressure assessments, insulin stabilization and prostin cervical ripening and monitoring of the baby.
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Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS)
This is a newly established service that operates from the Women's clinic on 2nd floor every day from 9am - 11.30am.
Referrals may be taken from General Practitioners, Obstetricians, Triage, or from other departments of Western Health. There are selection criteria for consultation within this service:
- Positive pregnancy test
- Less than 16 weeks pregnant
- Mild pain or bleeding but clinically stable
- Documented evidence of early pregnancy loss
Updated September 2010