Where to have baby, & how soon to get in?

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Alright so I am new to all this choice stuff, seeing as last pregnancy I didn't both getting blood tests until 10 weeks and my referral at 17 weeks!

I am guessing my options out my way are Werribee Mercy or Sunshine.
Obviously I am hoping for midwifery led care or birth centre. I would like a homebirth but I am worried being so overweight they will chuck me in high risk and I don't have a chance!

Any thoughts? Ideas?

I won't be able to get tests / referrals until Feb 10th at which point I will be 6 weeks... I know some places (I guess moreso Private Obstetrics) book fast and I don't want to miss an opportunity!

ETA: I guess the other things is, is it worth calling them and explaining that i'm interstate at the moment etc? Or is doctors referral necessary first?

[TeniBear]

I have no advice, but I read the title as "where to go to get a baby"


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks

[~me~]

Nice Avi!!

I would be booking in straight away for where you want to go, especially MW care. I think Werribee Mercy have the knew Know your Midwife scheme, worth checking out now so you can get in where want. I also believe Sunshine have a great program as well. Good luck!

[Cassius2]

i'd still look into homebirth babe. have a crack at the public program. could you go for a private HB? (i know that some fees are massive so totally understand if this is not an option...but SOOO worth trying to have a looksie IMHO).

[RhiChiChi]

I have no advice, but I read the title as "where to go to get a baby"


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks

hehe - from the baby shop of course ;P

DC - I would call and speak to them and explain your situation - nothing lost if they tell you to wait until you have seen your Dr.

[Hannahbanana]

Don't know anything about your choice of hospitals, sorry, but if you want to get into a KYM program then you need to book now!! After you have been accepted then look into HB. You an always cancel your KYM place if you decide to HB but you can't always get into a midwife led program if you wait to long. And by to long I mean 6+ weeks.
Even though you haven't been and confirmed with your GP I'd still call. Spots fill up really fast.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Don't know anything about your choice of hospitals, sorry, but if you want to get into a KYM program then you need to book now!! After you have been accepted then look into HB. You an always cancel your KYM place if you decide to HB but you can't always get into a midwife led program if you wait to long. And by to long I mean 6+ weeks.
Even though you haven't been and confirmed with your GP I'd still call. Spots fill up really fast.

Sorry what does KYM stand for?

Im sure I will kick myself with the answer

I will do some research and call the hospitals tomorrow.

[PumpkinZulu]

Call sunshine and see what they say re a himebirth babe. I'm with them and everything has been wonderful so far. Also look into an IM if that's a viable $$ option. Ahhhhh I'm soooo excited for you, you make awesomely cute babies.

[Cassius2]

KYM is "know your midwife". basically a midwife led care option at the hossy. i second what hannabanana said and book into that as well. do it for both hossies if you have to (i did! i booked both mercy and box hill before going for a homebirth).

[Hannahbanana]

It stands for Know Your Midwife . Another term for it is CMP (community midwife program). They are usually quite competative to get into as they only take a certain amount of women due per month so as soon as you know you are pregnant it's best to ring asap. Where I live you have only 3 midwives that you see your whole pregnancy and one of them is guaranteed to be at your birth, not just whoever is on shift that you have never set eyes on before. So you actually form a bit of a relationship with them before your birth.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Hmm alright.
So what should I say, just that I am 4wk PG, currently on holidays in QLD until Feb 10 and unable to get a doctor's referral until then, can we make an arrangeme?nt for an 'application' to be taken so i don't miss out??

PZ do you have a contact # for Sunshine by any chance or do I just ring the main number and ask to speak to someone in Maternity?

[Daydream Believer]

I don't know about you side of town but at the Angliss for the birth Center you have to ring the birth center ASAP to book in because they fill up so quickly. I only got in because someone eolse dropped out. You don't need a referal & they will organise your appointments for you. I think you should give Sunshine a call & ask to speak to someone about booking in for whichever program you want to follow

[OceanPrincess]

Hmm alright.
So what should I say, just that I am 4wk PG, currently on holidays in QLD until Feb 10 and unable to get a doctor's referral until then, can we make an arrangeme?nt for an 'application' to be taken so i don't miss out??

Yep do that!! My sister rang the Birth centre at the Mercy Heidelberg when she was 6wks and she missed out!!

Go girl! So exciting for you!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Thank you for all advice, I tried to call this afternoon but I forgot we are in non-DSL up here!
I will call first thing tomorrow, leaving it late now by the sounds of it eeek.
DH keeps arguing with me saying it is ridiculous that they should book out so early, many women dont know they are expecting until then.
I dont know what to say about it anymore as he is just annoying me now!!!

Will they take it from my LMP dates or because I know my O date from that?
Im worried they will take it from LMP which puts me an additional week behind!
Such a stresshead

[black_rose]

Ignore your dh and book! I know it's crazy, I was booked in at 4 weeks with the girls but only just got in with Ds as I was 10 weeks when I found out.

[PumpkinZulu]

Babe pro tip...lie about you LMP There is no way they can know know when you menstruated last...if you're sure on your O date, adjust your LMP to 14 days before that...I did, and I've measure spot on my dates at all 3 scans. As for calling sunshine, just call maternity and ask to be put on to the homebirth program. It took a while for them to get back to me, a middie called and discussed things, my first appointment was 11 or 12 weeks I think.

[Cassius2]

call ASAP get the referral later.

[~me~]

DH keeps arguing with me saying it is ridiculous that they should book out so early, many women dont know they are expecting until then.
I dont know what to say about it anymore as he is just annoying me now!!!

Hmmmm, has your DH wandered the streets of Pt Cook much Every second woman is either pushing a pram, has a baby in her tummy or both
You do what you have to get what you want for now

And yes, say you have no idea of your LMP, that will get you a referral for whatever you need right now, including a dating scan.
Also, for you information, Jo Silva is back at Guarding Medical (previously Sanctuarly Lakes Health Wise), I am pretty certain she has done shared care, worth trying to get into her if you can to discuss your options.