Supporting pregnancy for First Nations mums and bubs

Maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums and bubs

Care during your pregnancy is called maternity care. Regular visits with your midwife, GP, obstetrician and a health worker help to make sure you’re both healthy and baby is growing well.

If you identify as First Nations, or your baby will, you may be able to get maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums and bubs.

Your care can vary depending on where you live, but it's designed to keep you connected to your culture, family and community.

Care during your pregnancy and birth

There are different ways to get care. It depends where you live, but you’ll always be cared for by health professionals who understand and respect your culture and identity. This may include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in your community.

You may see the same midwife during your pregnancy and birth. You might also see GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists and dietitians. If you or baby have any health issues, you may see an obstetrician as well.

We also have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers in some of our hospitals and health centres who will support you. They work with other health professionals and can help you talk to them.

Midwifery Group Practice

Some hospitals or health services offer Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), where the same midwife or a small team of midwives care for you. This is also known as continuity of care. The midwife might visit you at home or another place you feel comfortable, or you might go to your appointments at the hospital.

Read more about continuity of care on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.

Shared care

Shared care is where different health professionals like midwives and GPs work together to support you.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services

Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health organisations (ATSICCHO) provide maternity care as well.

You can search for your local ATSICCHO on the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council website. You'll need to call them and ask what maternity care they offer.

Maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families

If you'd like to use maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, talk to your GP, local hospital or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service. They'll refer you to a care provider for antenatal appointments.

You can also fill in our maternity care referral form. Tell us in the form if you or baby's father identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and we'll contact you about your options.

Other options for care

There are other maternity care options. If you prefer another type of publicly funded care, you can still get more support.

Depending on the hospital or health centre, you may see an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker or Health Practitioner or Indigenous liaison officer.

If you choose private care, ask the hospital what support they have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums and bubs.

Learn how to keep your baby safe in pregnancy on the Stronger Bubba Born website.

Vaccinations during pregnancy

We recommend you get the flu, RSV and whooping cough vaccinations when you’re pregnant. Find out how getting vaccinated during pregnancy protects you and your baby on the Vaccination Matters website.

Queensland Health is committed to supporting all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies to be born healthy, into strong and resilient families.