Blacktown pregnancy services
Learn about the different pregnancy services we provide to meet the different needs and preferences of women at Blacktown Hospital.
Pregnancy care options
There are several options for care during your pregnancy, including:
- midwifery-led care
- care with the hospital doctors or your private obstetrician
- shared care with your general practitioner.
At your booking-in visit, we will discuss options most suited to your needs. We encourage you to be actively involved and include your partner, support person and family as much as possible.
Learn more about pregnancy and the first 5 years
Specialised care
Some women and babies may need specialist medical care from another Level 6 Hospital. NSW Hospitals are linked, so if you or your baby needs more specialised care, you'll be transferred safely to a hospital that can provide it.
If this happens, your care team will talk with you, explain your options and help guide your decisions. We offer social workers and Aboriginal Liaison Officers to help your family organise transport, accommodation and financial help as needed.
Learn more about when you or your baby needs more care
Appointment information
- All booking appointments require a referral from your GP
- The referral must be addressed to a specialist doctor at the Women’s Health clinic via the WSLHD eReferral system.
- You will receive a text message confirming your eReferral has been received from your GP.
- If your pregnancy requires care at another WSLHD facility, you will receive a message with the referral destination.
- You’ll receive a text once it’s received and when your appointment is scheduled
- To make or change an appointment: 02 8670 8356 or 02 8670 8352 (Mon–Fri, 8:00am–4:30pm)
- Telehealth appointments and interpreters available as required.
Bring to your appointment:
- Medicare card or Visa
- Proof of address
- Ultrasounds and blood test results
- Let staff know if you need an interpreter
Midwifery services
Midwives are experts in normal pregnancy, labour, birth and early parenthood. They deliver care, which includes education to help you remain healthy and well throughout your pregnancy. Midwifery care provides education on:
- having a healthy pregnancy
- preparing for labour and birth
- breastfeeding support
- childbirth and parenting
If you have a healthy pregnancy, it is best to be seen in the Midwives Clinic.
The benefits of Midwives Clinic include:
- Education for pregnancy, labour and birth
- Continuity of care: seeing the same midwife improves preparation for birth and parenting.
- Appointments are available during business hours, evenings and Saturdays
- Outreach clinics available to reduce travel
Blacktown Hospital
Midwives and Women's health clinic
Opening hours:
- 8am to 7:30pm, Monday to Friday
- 8am to 3:30pm, Saturday
Phone: (02) 8670 8356 or (02) 8670 8352
Email: WSLHD-BMDHWHC@health.nsw.gov.au
Contact hours for enquiries: 8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
Location: Women's health clinic, Level 3, Blacktown Hospital, NSW 2148
At each visit your midwife will ask how you are and if you have any concerns, and check your:
- weight
- blood pressure
- urine (if required)
- blood test results
- baby's movements
- baby's position and size.
The midwife will also:
- discuss the progress of your pregnancy
- share important moments, like listening to your baby's heartbeat
- refer you to a doctor for any health concerns
- refer you to other health workers for specialised support.
Learn more about what midwives do
Depending on your pregnancy care choices, your midwifery visits can be scheduled at the clinic, in hospital or in your home.
Your midwife will follow the recommended schedule of visits set by the NSW Ministry of Health. Learn more about the checkups, tests and scans available during your pregnancy.
View and read the schedule of visits for antenatal care (PDF 362.38KB).
Student-led care supervised by midwives, supporting you through pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care.
This is a midwifery led service where you will get to know your midwife. Your midwife will care for you during your pregnancy and appointments at home or in the hospital.
The Midwifery Caseload Practice (MCP) services means you have the same midwife to care for you during pregnancy, birth and after your baby is born.
This model of care is ideal for women with a healthy pregnancy. Your MGP midwife is on-call for you and works closely with a partner midwife.
Having the same midwife helps you feel safe, supported, and confident throughout your journey.
Appointments can be held at home or wherever suits you best.
Benefits of MGP care may include:
- A greater chance of having a vaginal birth
- A more positive birth experience
- Higher satisfaction with your care
- Increased likelihood of breastfeeding your baby
How to book in for MCP
If you are interested in the MCP for your pregnancy you should be:
- in good health, without medical conditions
- planning to have a natural birth with no unnecessary interventions
- prepared to go home with your baby between 4 to 6 hours after birth, if you are both well.
Blacktown Hospital
To register your interest in the MCP in Blacktown, email WSLHD-midwiferygrouppractice-blacktown@health.nsw.gov.au
The service provides culturally sensitive pregnancy and postnatal (after birth) care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families.The team includes Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal Health Practitioners who work with midwives and doctors.
Services include:
- Regular antenatal checks
- Maternity hospital booking
- Antenatal education
- Support for healthy lifestyle choices e.g. quit smoking programs
- Referrals to other services
- Health promotion activities
- Postnatal checks support
- Parenting support
- Infant feeding and nutrition information
- Immunisation services
Medical and shared care
Women with medical conditions during pregnancy may need specialised care in one of our doctor-led clinics, each overseen by a senior Obstetrician.
Common reasons for referral include:
- Gestational Diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy)
- Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure after 20 weeks)
- Placenta Praevia (placenta covering or near the cervix)
- Cholestasis (liver condition causing itching)
- Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
- History of complicated pregnancy or birth
Some conditions may require transfer to another facility for higher-level care.
Booking with a private obstetrician allows you to build a relationship with your caregiver, who will manage your pregnancy, attend your birth, and provide postnatal care. Most private Obstetricians are available 24/7.
If you plan to give birth at Blacktown Hospital with a private Obstetrician, you’ll need to attend a ‘booking in’ appointment so we can prepare for your care and have your records ready when you arrive in labour.
This is a model of pregnancy care that is also known as Antenatal Shared Care (ANSC).
Your pregnancy care is shared between an accredited family doctor (GP) and Blacktown Hospital. It is community-based health care that provides you with flexibility of appointments and continuity of carer.
The model allows you to build a relationship with the GP that you and your family see for all your other health needs. GPs become an important resource after you have a new baby.
GP must be accredited and mention GPSC in referral. If your GP wants to join, call 02 8811 7100 for accreditation.
Urgent care clinics and other clinics
The Maternity Assessment Clinic (MAC) at Blacktown Hospital is a 24/7 service available 7 days a week for women over 14 weeks pregnant who need labour assessment, closer monitoring, or observations.
The clinic is located on Level 6, next to the Birth Unit. You may be referred to MAC by your midwife, Blacktown Hospital doctor, GP, or asked to return for a follow-up visit. If you are concerned about your pregnancy after 14 weeks, you can present to MAC at any time.
- Contact MAC: 02 8670 5950 02 8670 0635
- For urgent pregnancy concerns, please contact the Birth Unit directly on 02 8670 8318 (available 24/7)
EPAC is a clinic for women under 20 weeks pregnant who are experiencing complications such as vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain, or a blighted ovum confirmed by ultrasound.
If you are experiencing heavy bleeding (soaking a pad or more per hour) or severe abdominal pain, please go straight to your nearest hospital emergency department or call 000 for an ambulance.
Your GP can refer you to EPAC by calling 02 8670 5376.
Please leave a clear and detailed voicemail including:
- Your full name
- Contact phone number(s)
- Medical Record Number (MRN), if known
You will be contacted to discuss a management plan and arrange an appointment.
For urgent issues, go to your nearest emergency department.
For other early pregnancy concerns, please see your GP. They can refer you to specialist care if needed. To arrange a routine pregnancy dating scan, please visit your GP.