Mother Care
What is the Defence Health Mother Care program?
Mother Care is a free service provided by Defence Health as part of the Member Support Program, specifically designed to help you cope with the life change resulting from the birth of your baby.
The program aims to make the transition from hospital to home easier for you, your baby and family.
Firstly you will need to consult your doctor and hospital staff to determine whether early release is an option. Then when you return home, the program will help you with the support you need.
Midwife or lactation consultations are available depending on how long Mother Care participants stay in hospital. Participants can also take advantage of the following servies* (represented in units):
- 2 hours of home cleaning
- 2 weeks cloth nappy service, or
- 1 box of Huggies disposable nappies.
The table below shows the services available dependant upon the type of delivery and the number of nights in hospital.
| Vaginal delivery |
| Time in hospital (night/s) |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
| Midwife or lactation consultation |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Services* (units) |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| Caesarean delivery |
| Time in hospital (night/s) |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
| Midwife or lactation consultation |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Services* (units) |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
* If the participant does not elect a midwife/lactation consultation, they are not able to 'swap' for other services such as nappies or cleaning.
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Who can use this service?
To use this service as a Mother Care participant you need to:
- have hospital cover and be eligible for maternity benefits with Defence Health
- be admitted to one of our selected participating hospitals as a private patient, and
- elect to go home early.
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How does Mother Care work?
Before you leave the hospital, call a Program Nurse. Confirm your discharge details and discuss the services you are entitled to.
The hospital staff or your doctor will complete a referral and you will be asked to sign a consent form. These will be faxed to the Program Coordinator. A Program Nurse will arrange the services you have chosen and contact you with the details.
The Program Coordinator will keep in regular contact with you when you return home to ensure that all services are in place and meet your needs.
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Mother Care commitment to confidentiality
The health care professionals coordinating your program are the only people with access to your health information.
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More information?
Simply download the Mother Care brochure, complete the Expression of Interest form and fax to 02 4227 1678. Alternatively, contact the Defence Health Member Service Centre.
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