Antenatal shared care.
Share your antenatal care between your Aurora GP and the hospital where you plan to give birth. Most routine antenatal visits happen close to home with a GP who already knows you, while your hospital handles ultrasounds, specialist review where needed, and the birth itself.
A model built for continuity.
Antenatal shared care is the model Australian public hospitals offer for women whose pregnancies are progressing normally. Rather than travelling to the hospital for every routine check, you see your GP for most visits and the hospital for the milestone appointments, ultrasounds and the birth.
For women in Sydney's Inner West and south, the local public hospitals each run their own shared care program with specific gestational windows for hospital visits and a schedule of GP visits in between. Aurora GPs work within the guidelines of each program so that whichever hospital you're booked at, your care aligns with what the hospital expects at each stage.
The Aurora team at SMSG has done shared care as long as SMSG has existed. If you already know which hospital you'll give birth at, we'll match you to a GP who works with that program.
A rhythm across the pregnancy.
Confirmation of pregnancy, dating scan referral, first bloods and screening tests, discussion of your options for care. This is where we work out whether shared care suits your situation.
First trimester screening results reviewed, second trimester bloods, morphology scan referral at 18 to 20 weeks. Alternating GP and hospital visits begin.
Regular visits with your Aurora GP, and the hospital at the intervals your program sets. Alongside the usual checks — blood pressure, urine, foetal growth, position and movement — this window covers gestational diabetes screening at 24 to 28 weeks and your pregnancy vaccinations.
Hand-over to the hospital for delivery. Your GP remains available for postnatal review, six-week check-up, contraception advice, immunisations for baby, and support with breastfeeding.
When shared care isn't the fit.
Shared care suits pregnancies that are progressing normally with no significant medical or obstetric concerns. If your history or your current pregnancy carries higher-than-average risk, you may need midwifery-led care or full obstetric care at the hospital instead.
Reasons your GP might discuss a different model include a previous high-risk pregnancy, a chronic health condition affecting the pregnancy, a multiple pregnancy, a pregnancy conceived through assisted reproduction where the specialist team wants continuity, or preferences you have around the birth.
At Aurora, we also offer full obstetric care through Dr Aye Thidar Htun, our Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. If shared care is not the fit for you, we can discuss whether Aurora obstetric care works better.
Across all three centres.
Confirmed at booking.
Our antenatal consultations are privately billed, with a Medicare rebate available on eligible pregnancy-related appointments — so you'll claim a portion back and be left with a modest gap.
The exact fee depends on the type and length of the visit (an initial planning appointment is longer than a routine review), but a rebate applies in every case and we keep the out-of-pocket as low as we reasonably can.
Happy to talk fees before your appointment — just ask our reception team for a full breakdown. See our Fees & Billing page for the framework across the group.
Common questions.
If your question isn't here, reception can point you to the right Aurora GP or your GP will walk through it at your first visit.
Do I need a referral to start shared care with Aurora?
No. Book directly with any Aurora GP.
Can I keep my usual GP outside SMSG for general care?
Yes. Many women see their existing GP for non-pregnancy issues and use Aurora for their pregnancy care. We coordinate with your GP so nothing falls between the cracks.
Which hospitals do Aurora GPs share care with?
Aurora GPs work with the shared care programs at the local public hospitals, including:
- Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
- Canterbury Hospital
- St George Hospital
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
- Royal Hospital for Women
- The Sutherland Hospital
If you're planning to birth at a private hospital, we can discuss what care model works.
What happens after the birth?
Your Aurora GP is available for postnatal review, six-week check, immunisations, contraception advice and support with breastfeeding. Dr Yashodha Ediriweera has IBCLC lactation training if you want additional lactation support.
Can I combine shared care with an Aurora obstetrician?
Yes. Dr Aye Thidar Htun sees Aurora patients where the shared care model isn't right, or where you'd prefer a single consultant through pregnancy. Talk to your Aurora GP about the options at your first visit.
