Gynaecologists, Obstetricians & Women's Health

Gynaecologist vs. obstetrician

Many practitioners in this field are trained in both and are referred to as an O&G. As a general pattern, a gynaecologist manages conditions unrelated to pregnancy — irregular periods, endometriosis, fibroids, menopause management — while an obstetrician manages pregnancy, birth and the period immediately after. Fertility specialists (reproductive endocrinologists) are a further sub-specialty for conception difficulties and IVF.

Referral and Medicare

A GP referral lasts 12 months by default and longer where ongoing care is needed — pregnancy care commonly spans a referral written for the duration of the pregnancy and beyond. Without a referral you can still book privately at full cost with no Medicare rebate. Many women choose a private obstetrician for continuity through pregnancy and birth, in which case fees are usually charged as a single package covering the whole pregnancy rather than per visit — ask for this figure up front, as it is a genuinely large cost most people aren’t expecting.

Pregnancy care pathways

Three broad pathways exist for pregnancy care in Australia: a private obstetrician (highest cost, most consistent single point of contact), a public hospital shared-care or midwifery-led model (no cost, care shared between a GP or midwife and the hospital), and a privately practising midwife. Which is available and suitable depends on your pregnancy, your hospital’s programs, and where you live — ask your GP about what is actually running in your area rather than assuming all three are available everywhere.

What to bring

Bring your referral, Medicare card, private health insurance details if relevant, and a note of your menstrual and pregnancy history including any previous pregnancies, complications or surgeries. For a first pregnancy appointment, bring the date of your last period and any early pregnancy test or scan results you already have.

Questions worth asking

• For pregnancy care: what is the total package fee, and what does it include?
• Which hospital do you deliver at, and what are its facilities?
• What is the out-of-pocket cost for a non-pregnancy consultation?
• Is there a midwifery-led or shared-care option available to me?
• Who do I contact after hours if something comes up?