Shared care represents a collaborative arrangement between a local GP and a hospital, dividing the provision of pregnancy care between the two entities. Under this arrangement, some antenatal appointments occur with the local doctor, while others take place at the hospital, tailored to the purpose of the visit. Typically, essential tests and scans are conducted at the hospital.

Doctors engaged in shared care often possess additional obstetric training and qualifications. However, it’s important to note that most hospitals offering shared care primarily cater to women with pregnancies classified as low-risk.

The advantage of shared care lies in continuity, allowing the same doctor overseeing the pregnancy to continue caring for both the mother and baby post-birth. Shared care practitioners are adept not only in pregnancy management but also in addressing various pertinent issues such as monitoring maternal mental health during and after pregnancy, as well as providing guidance on contraception.