it depends on what services are available in your area.
The public and private hospital closest to me are actually next door to each other, the same OB's service both, both have single rooms where the partner can stay. The main difference is the decor and the menu![]()
However having been to both the midwives are much better in the public sector and the intervention rates are much lower. The midwives also come out to your home after you've been discharged a few times so you aren't just tossed out without any support which is great. There is also a lactation consultant onsite for free and you can come back and visit whenever you like.
The private hospital does not offer any of these potnatal services and who cares about who the Ob is anyway? They only turn up for the last 10 mins - it's the midwives who are there throughout your labour who make a difference. If you are in the public sector and something is wrong are you really going to care who is looking after you as long as they can do the job?
If you just want someone you know in labour hire a doula, independant midwife or get a midwifery student to come with you to the birth. Not all OB's can guarantee that they will get there - it may be their weekend off at another birth etc.
So really it's a personal preference about what kind of services are important to you and whether you want to pay for them.
Cheers,Larissa
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