Finding the right care for you
After losing a baby, choosing who will care for you in a new pregnancy can feel especially significant. Some parents find comfort in returning to the same hospital or care team — especially if they felt heard and supported. Others may prefer a fresh start with a different care provider or location. There’s no right or wrong choice — only what feels right for you and your family.
In some rural or regional areas, care options may be limited due to geography, available services, or medical needs that require specialist care. If that’s your situation, know that you’re not alone — and you still deserve respectful, compassionate support. You can talk with your GP or other care provider about ways to enhance your care, such as:
- Telehealth appointments with specialists or bereavement counsellors.
- Shared-care arrangements between your local team and a larger hospital.
- Referral pathways to Pregnancy After Loss Clinics for specific parts of your care.
- Continuity of care where you see the same midwife, GP, specialist, and/or private obstetrician throughout your pregnancy.
Even if your choices feel limited, your voice still matters. Think about what helps you feel emotionally safe and well-supported — and let your care team know. It’s okay to ask questions, express your preferences, and advocate for the care you need and deserve.
Understanding pregnancy care options
There are different ways your care can be set up during pregnancy — these are called models of care. Each model has its own focus, team, and approach to supporting you.
After the loss of a baby, you might be placed in a high-risk model of care, or your options may be limited, especially in rural or remote areas. Even if you can’t choose your care model, learning about the different types can help you know what to expect and speak up about what matters to you. Sometimes, even in a set model, parts of care — like seeing the same midwife or getting extra emotional support — can still be included.
Model of care is how your pregnancy support is organised: who you see, where your appointments happen, and how your care is planned.
Continuity of care means being supported by the same midwife, GP obstetrician or specialist, or a small team, throughout your pregnancy, birth, and after. It can be especially helpful after loss, as it builds trust and means you don’t have to keep retelling your story. Your team already knows your history and the support you may need.
Understanding pregnancy risk
At your first appointment, your care provider will talk with you about any risks related to this pregnancy. These may include health concerns or things connected to the loss of your previous baby. Risk assessments help your team decide what kind of care will best support you and your baby.
Your risk level is usually based on your medical history, current pregnancy factors, and lifestyle. It’s often given as a number that helps guide decisions about extra monitoring or care. This helps your team offer the right support at the right time for the best possible outcomes.
Understanding pregnancy care models
Below, you’ll find a table showing some common models of care. It outlines who is involved and what each model can offer. Knowing the options can help you ask questions and find care that feels right for you.
| Type of Care | What it is | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
GP shared care | Care is shared between your GP and the hospital |
|
Midwifery group practice (MGP) | Hospital care with a known midwife or small team of midwives. |
|
Private practising midwives | Private midwives provide full care, sometimes with hospital access. |
|
Obstetric and midwifery care | Care from both hospital obstetricians and midwives. |
|
Private obstetric care | A private obstetrician cares for you in a private hospital. |
|
Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) | Specialist hospital care for high-risk or complex pregnancies. |
|
Specialised clinics | Clinics for specific needs or groups. |
|
Pregnancy After Loss (PAL) clinics | Clinics for parents in a pregnancy after loss. |
|
Culturally responsive care for First Nations families
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families, there may be care options that offer culturally safe, community-based support during pregnancy.
| Type of Care | What it is | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
Aboriginal Midwifery Group Practice (AMGP) | Midwifery care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, often based in the community. |
|
Aboriginal Medical Services or ACCHOs | Local Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations that offer whole-person holistic care. |
|
To note: Hospitals and services vary depending on where you live, as they are funded by each state or territory. This table is a starting point to help you explore care options that might suit you and your family. It’s okay to ask questions and find out what’s available in your area — even if it’s not listed here.
As you step into this pregnancy, you may be feeling many things. Let this be a gentle space to check in with yourself, just as you are right now.
You might like to reflect on:
- What’s felt different, or familiar, about this pregnancy so far? (Are there moments that have surprised you, bought comfort or stirred memories?)
- What kind of support do you need in these early weeks? (Is there something you’d like to ask for — physically or emotionally? Or something you want your care team to understand?)
- What helps you feel grounded when things feel uncertain? (This might be a person, a routine, a phrase, or something small that helps you feel a little calmer.)
- How are you connecting with this pregnancy and this baby? (What has helped you feel close, even in small ways? Are there moments that have felt different from before — or tender in a new way?)
There’s no right or wrong way to reflect. Write, sketch, or sit with a thought or feeling. You might return later or bring your own questions. Take the time that feels right for you.
