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Pregnancy Assessment Centre

Located at Mater Mothers’ Hospitals, South Brisbane, Queensland’s first purpose-built 24/7 Pregnancy Assessment Centre (PAC) provides care for women from conception until six weeks after their baby has been born.

One in four women expecting a baby experience complications early in their pregnancy—from conception to 20 weeks gestation—including bleeding and other issues.

Mater’s PAC offers a specialised service for pregnant women, in particular those in in early pregnancy. The PAC is adjacent to birth suite and provides care and assessment for private and publicly funded women at any stage in their pregnancy.

Operating the same as a hospital emergency department, we encourage women to present to PAC whenever they feel it is necessary for them. Women are able to access the support of obstetric, medical and allied health professionals as required. Referrals from GP’s are also welcomed and appreciated, however not essential.

If your maternity care is being provided by a private obstetrician and you attend the PAC, your obstetrician will be contacted. This service is provided free of charge if you are booked in to deliver at Mater Mothers’ Private Brisbane or Redland with your private obstetrician. You will be provided with access to the PAC lounge, a specialist obstetrician 24/7, immediate ultrasounds (and results), blood tests, and hospital admission if required. 

Publicly insured women who live out of catchment, will need to deliver at the hospital in which they are booked.

Reasons to come to PAC

Please present to the PAC if you experience any of the following:

  • vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
  • uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhoea
  • stomach (abdominal) or back pain
  • unusual headaches and/or blurred vision
  • fainting
  • fever
  • very itchy skin
  • if you think you are in labour, or you are unsure about what is happening
  • your baby is moving less than usual or you are concerned
  • if your waters break (membranes rupture).

The PAC is not a general practice clinic, an antenatal clinic or a general emergency department. For other health concerns unrelated to pregnancy, please contact your GP.

Early pregnancy

The PAC provides assessment of problems such as bleeding and pain. Small amounts of bleeding in early pregnancy are not uncommon, especially if they do not last for very long. However, it may be the first signs of a problem, such as a miscarriage, and it is important that we follow up on such symptoms. 

Should the bleeding be heavier or last longer, particularly if it is associated with period-like cramping pains, then a possible miscarriage is more likely. Should you develop heavy bleeding (soaking a sanitary pad within 30 minutes), or worsening pain, you should seek help immediately.

Later pregnancy

PAC provides assessment of women with acute pregnancy health concerns. Whilst all women in need of urgent acute care have access to this service 24/7, women booked for maternity care at another hospital are advised to contact their own specialist, midwife or hospital for care. 

We do not provide clinical advice over the phone. For urgent assessment of pregnancy related conditions at any stage of pregnancy please present to PAC immediately.

After the birth of your baby (up to six weeks)

If you have concerns about your health after your baby is born, you should contact your GP or your obstetrician.

Mater patients can also present to PAC for conditions such as:

  • unusual vaginal bleeding (i.e. increase in amount) or offensive smelling vaginal loss
  • concerns about your wound (i.e. showing any signs of infection)
  • fever or feeling unwell
  • breast inflammation and pain.

 

If you would like to speak with PAC:
Please contact 07 3163 7000

If you have breastfeeding or parenting concerns:
Please call Mater Mothers’ Parenting Support Centre on 07 3163 2299 (7.30 am - 3.30 pm). 
Or call Australian Breastfeeding Association on 1800 686 268. This service is available 24-hours.

If your baby is unwell:
Please contact your GP or paediatrician, call 000 for an ambulance, or take your baby to Queensland Children’s Emergency Department.

Location

Pregnancy Assessment Centre (open 24 hours)                                                                          

Level 5, Mater Mater Mothers' Hospitals
Raymond Terrace
South Brisbane QLD 4101

www.matermothers.org.au

© 2019 Mater Misericordiae Ltd.
ACN 096 708 922.

Mater acknowledges consumer consultation in the development of this patient information.
Mater Doc Num: PI-CLN-430177
Last modified 02/6/2023.
Consumers were consulted in the development of this patient information.
Last consumer engagement date: 05/1/2017
For further translated health information, you can visit healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/ supported by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services that offers a range of patient information in multiple languages.
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