Family Birth Centre
The Family Birth Centre (FBC) is located at King Edward Memorial Hospital and offers midwifery-led care in a welcoming, home-like environment separate from the main hospital.
Why choose the Family Birth Centre?
The FBC provides continuity of care throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. You will have a primary midwife, supported by a small team of midwives who may also be involved in your care.
FBC midwives specialise in supporting healthy pregnancy and physiological labour and birth. They are also skilled in recognising complications and will arrange medical consultation or referral when needed. FBC midwives work closely with general practitioners, obstetricians, paediatricians and other specialist services available through KEMH.
Will I be eligible?
The FBC cares for women anticipating a low-risk pregnancy and birth who are interested in a physiological approach to labour and birth. Epidural analgesia is not available at the FBC.
Eligibility is considered individually and reviewed throughout pregnancy, as circumstances can change. You can view the Eligibility Criteria for Clients Birthing at the Family Birth Centre for more information.
If you feel the FBC may be the right fit for you, you are welcome to self-refer. You do not need to determine your own eligibility before applying, the FBC team will review your application and contact you to discuss your care.
The FBC welcomes applications from women across metropolitan Perth. Women living in regional or rural Western Australia may also apply if they can attend all antenatal and postnatal appointments in person and stay within the FBC catchment area as their birth approaches.
When should I apply?
Places are limited, so we recommend applying early in pregnancy.
How do I apply for a place at the FBC?
You can apply directly by completing the digital Family Birth Centre Application Form (external site), or your GP can submit an application on your behalf.
Applications are considered according to postcode catchment. If you live outside the FBC catchment, your application will be forwarded to the Community Midwifery Program for assessment and consideration of an FBC birth.
What happens next?
Applications are reviewed from eight weeks of pregnancy. If you apply earlier, your application will be held until this time.
Once reviewed, you will receive an email advising whether your application has been accepted and outlining the next steps. If you would like to discuss the outcome, please contact the FBC and ask to speak with our Clinical Midwife Specialist.
Your booking appointment
Your first midwifery appointment may take up to 90 minutes. Your midwife will talk with you about your medical and pregnancy history, and confirm whether the FBC is the right care option for you. If the FBC cannot meet your needs, your midwife will discuss the most appropriate alternatives with you and arrange a referral where possible.
Can I change my midwife?
At the FBC, you will have a primary midwife who works alongside a small team. This allows you to build a trusting relationship with a known midwife throughout your pregnancy.
If you have any concerns about your care or relationship with your midwife, we encourage you to raise them early. The Midwifery Manager can support these conversations and help work towards a resolution. Due to the way the service is structured, requests to change midwives cannot usually be accommodated.
Can I have shared care with my Obstetrician or General Practitioner?
As the FBC provides continuity with a known midwife and a small team throughout your care, shared-care arrangements are not available.
Parent Education Classes
The FBC offers a free four-part online education series each month for Medicare card holders booked with the service. We recommend attending from around 32 weeks of pregnancy.
The classes cover:
- Active labour
- Birth of your baby and placenta
- Breastfeeding for you
- Early parenting and post-birth recovery
The FBC also offers an Early Pregnancy Education and Tour session on alternate Saturdays and Sundays from 10am- 11.30am. If this is your first pregnancy with the FBC, we recommend attending to learn more about the centre and what to expect from your care.
Giving birth at the FBC
Birth at the Family Birth Centre is designed to feel calm, personal and centered around your individual needs and preferences. Your midwife will work with you throughout pregnancy to explore your birth preferences and support physiological labour and birth.
You are encouraged to move freely and birth in whichever position feels most comfortable. Pain relief options include water, gas and air, and injectable medications. Epidurals are not available at the FBC and if needed will require transfer to the main hospital.
Your chosen support people are welcome to remain with you throughout labour and birth. Children may also attend, provided another adult is available to care for them at all times. Please discuss your plans with your midwife beforehand.
What facilities are available?
The FBC has four private, home-like birth rooms. Each room includes:
- a double bed and comfortable seating
- a private garden courtyard
- individually controlled air conditioning
- an en-suite shower and toilet
There is also a shared bathroom with a large built in birth pool available for labour and waterbirth.
Going home after birth
Where possible, you and your baby will remain together throughout your stay. Your midwife will support you with feeding and caring for your baby, and you will both be checked before discharge.
If you are both well, the expected stay at the FBC is approximately four hours after birth. Going home early allows you to recover and settle in with your new baby in the comfort of your own space, with less disruption to family life.
If you transfer to KEMH, you will go home once your healthcare team determines it is safe and appropriate.
Postnatal care at home is provided by the FBC midwives up until day 10 postpartum. If you live outside of catchment, your midwife will have discussed alternate arrangements with you.
