Shared Antenatal Care With a GP and the Royal Hospital for Women
Shared antenatal care means some of your pregnancy check-ups are with your GP and some are with the hospital maternity team. For many women, this feels reassuring because they can keep seeing a familiar local doctor while still being connected to the hospital where they plan to give birth. Dr Amanda Henderson provides shared pregnancy care with the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick.
Why this matters
Pregnancy care works best when there is a clear team and good communication. Shared care can be convenient for women in Maroubra and the Eastern Suburbs because many routine checks can happen close to home, while the hospital team remains involved for scans, maternity planning and any concerns that need higher-level care. It is not suitable for every pregnancy, and some women need obstetric, specialist or hospital-led care from the start or if complications develop.
A few helpful terms
· Shared antenatal care: Pregnancy care shared between a GP and a hospital maternity team.
· Antenatal visit: A pregnancy check-up before birth.
· Hospital-led care: Pregnancy care mainly managed through the hospital team, often used when pregnancy risk is higher.
Common reasons to book a GP appointment
· You have a positive pregnancy test and want to discuss pregnancy care options.
· You plan to give birth at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick.
· You would like some antenatal visits with a familiar GP close to home.
· You need early pregnancy blood tests, dating advice, medication review or referrals.
· You want to understand which concerns should go to your GP and which should go to the hospital.
What we can talk through together
Your GP can help confirm dates, request early blood tests, review medications, discuss nausea and fatigue, check blood pressure, organise referrals, talk about vaccines, screen for mental health concerns, and explain early warning symptoms. Hospital visits usually cover maternity booking, scans, midwife or obstetric review, birth planning and any complications. The exact visit schedule can change depending on your pregnancy and hospital guidance.
What to expect at the appointment
At a shared care appointment, your GP may check blood pressure, ask about symptoms and movement later in pregnancy, review results, measure your abdomen when appropriate, discuss vaccines and arrange the next steps. You should feel comfortable asking simple questions. Many pregnancy worries are common, but they still deserve clear answers.
How to prepare
Bring your pregnancy record if you have one, any hospital letters, scan reports, blood test results, medication list and questions. If you are not yet booked with the hospital, your GP can talk through referral timing and what information is usually needed.
Care close to home in Maroubra and the Eastern Suburbs
Dr Amanda Henderson is a GP consulting at GP Maroubra, 14 Meagher Ave, South Maroubra NSW 2035. At GP Maroubra, she provides family-focused general practice care across pregnancy and pre-pregnancy health, shared antenatal care, women's health, contraception, paediatrics, skin checks, lifestyle medicine, travel medicine, men's health and preventive care. Patients commonly look for local care from Maroubra, South Maroubra, Coogee, Randwick, Malabar, Matraville, Pagewood and nearby parts of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
Choosing a GP is personal. It is reasonable to consider location, appointment availability, communication style, continuity and whether the services offered fit the reason you are booking. The aim is to help you feel prepared for a useful appointment and to know when a concern needs more urgent attention.
For shared antenatal care, Dr Amanda Henderson provides shared pregnancy care with the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick.
Common questions
Does shared care mean my GP delivers the baby?
No. With shared care, your GP provides some antenatal care, but labour and birth care are provided by the hospital maternity team.
Can everyone choose GP shared care?
No. Some medical histories or pregnancy complications mean hospital-led or specialist care is safer. Your GP and hospital team can advise.
When should I book after a positive pregnancy test?
As soon as practical. Early review helps with dates, medications, referrals, blood tests and safety advice.
Can I change from shared care to hospital care later?
Yes. Care can change if your needs change, if complications develop, or if you prefer a different model of care.
Further reading from trusted Australian sources
· Royal Hospital for Women - Midwives Clinic and GP Shared Care
· Australian Government - vaccines in pregnancy
Practical next step
If this sounds like the help you need, book a GP appointment with Dr Amanda Henderson at GP Maroubra. A longer appointment is usually best if the issue is complex, emotional, involves paperwork, or includes more than one concern. Appointments can be made online or by calling GP Maroubra on (02) 9311 9311 during practice opening hours.
General information only: This information is general and does not replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. Health advice can change, and your own risks may be different. In an emergency, call 000.