The Antenatal care schedules aims to improve maternal and fetal outcomes, by providing a structure with clear pathways to support maternity clinicians with decision making and communication leading to enhanced quality of care.

The Antenatal Care schedules at Grampians Health Ballarat, enables continuity of care, collaboration, communication, care planning and documentation throughout the maternity service.

• Maternity Care provision is based on evidence based best practice
• Women are cared for by the appropriate level of clinician for the level of clinical need
• There is a seamless transition of care when complications arise
• Facilitates inter-professional communication which supports woman and family focused care
• Enables women to make informed decisions about their maternity care
• Women are given reliable information about all their options
• Maternity care is planned by lead clinician; schedules are clarified and documented

DEFINITIONS OF PATHWAYS

Midwife-led care

• primary care provided by Midwife

• evidenced-based clinical care plan for an uncomplicated or low risk pregnancy

• see below attachments - Antenatal care Schedule -Midwife-led care

Shared care

• primary care provided by General Practitioner

• evidenced-based clinical care plan for an uncomplicated or low risk pregnancy

• see below attachments - Antenatal care Schedule - Shared care

Obstetrician-led care

• primary care provided by Obstetrician/Registrar

• based on a complicated Medical/Obstetric history or exclusion criteria as outlined within the Midwife-led care schedule

• see below attachments - Antenatal care Schedule -Obstetrician-led care

Midwife-led care and Shared care

The Midwife-led care and Shared care is a defined plan of care for women - see Consultation and Referral Guidelines (see attached documents) for guidance

• Evidence-based clinical care plan

• Enables women to make informed decisions about their maternity care

• Ensures women are given reliable information about all their options

• Care is planned by lead clinician; pathways are clarified and documented in the womans Birthing Outcomes System (BOS)

• The Management Plan updated in Birthing Outcome System (BOS) and sent electronically to BOSS net 

• Update the woman's pregnancy record

• Describes expected maternity care with scheduled visit program and structure

Obstetrician-led care

• Identifies medical/obstetric issues requiring Obstetric management during the pregnancy

• Information is adapted to the womans specific needs

• The antenatal visit frequency is increased dependent on level of clinical need

• Care is planned by lead clinician; schedules are clarified and documented in the womans Birthing Outcomes System (BOS)

• The Management Plan updated in Birthing Outcome System (BOS) and sent electronically to BOSS net

• Update the woman's pregnancy record

Continual assessment

• is required to define appropriate level of maternity care clinician