Midwifery Group Practice (MGP)
Overview
Our MGP program offers you one midwife (who works in a team) who will care for you through your pregnancy, through your birth and at home for 2 weeks after your baby is born. Active labour, normal birth, breastfeeding and early discharge home from the Birthing Unit are important to us.
You may benefit from Midwifery Group Practice if this is your first baby, you would like a vaginal birth after having a previous caesarean section, want to birth at home, or do not have a lot of support at home or in the community.
We have limited places available.
How to access MGP
1) Confirm your pregnancy. See your GP for referral to Wollongong Hospital Antenatal Services.
2) You fill out this referral form. Click here to access the form
3) Then you send the form above to this address: ISLHD-TWHAntenatalServices@health.nsw.gov.au
MGP midwives allocate new clients once a month. You will be contacted by them if you are able to be fitted into the program. Numbers are strictly limited and places fill quickly.
If you cannot be seen by the MGP program, we have other pregnancy clinics that may suit you.
Your request for care will be considered when you are around 12-14 weeks pregnant. If we can offer you a place on the program a midwife will contact you by phone. If we are unable to offer you a place at this time you will be notified by text message and your name placed on a waiting list. You will then need to choose another option of care for your pregnancy.
Need an Interpreter? Professional interpreters are available if you need help to communicate with staff. Our staff can also ask for an interpreter. The service is free and confidential. We will book the interpreter for you. You can also call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 if you need to speak to us before your appointment. Click here for more information about the Illawarra Health Care Interpreter Service.
Contact Information
Loftus Street
Wollongong NSW 2500
and
Shellharbour Hospital
15-17 Madigan Boulevarde
Mt Warrigal NSW 2528
Clinics are available on specific weekdays and appointments can be negotiated for a convenient time:
Shellharbour Hospital
9:00am-6:00pm on Mondays
Wollongong Hospital
2:00pm-7:30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays
8:30am-12:00pm on Fridays
MGP will try to be as flexible as possible if appointments are needed outside these hours in special circumstances.
Parking and Public Transport
MGP is located at the Wollongong Hospital and has an antenatal service at Shellharbour Hospital. A train service is close by for women attending Wollongong Hospital and a public carparking service is available at both Wollongong and Shellharbour. The midwife will discuss which option is more suited to the woman’s needs on acceptance into the program
Wollongong Hospital Carpark: Access to the North and South Carpark entrances via New Dapto Road or Dudley Street.
Shellharbour Hospital Carpark: Access to car parking facilities via the Hospital entrance on Madigan Boulevarde.
Easy access for disabled persons at both Hospitals.