Hi there,

First of all congrats on your pregnancy and I hope the nausea gives u a rest soon!

I am currently a student midwife working at the townsville hospital (public)(only 6 months before i'm a midwife!) and I wouldn't go past the care we give. I have had a lot of people ask me about which to go to and all I can say is that I wouldn't go to the mater myself. Many of the women who have dealt with them in their first pregnancy go public for their 2nd. It is very....how should i say this.... old fashioned in the way care is delivered. The obstetricians way is the only way and midwives are not given independence as they should. This gives rise to a high percentage of c-sections and instrumental deliveries and the support with breastfeeding is very different. They do offer to look after your baby every night and for you and your 'husband' to go out to dinner! I couldn't think of anything worse myself...the time u have in hospital is when you and bub are getting to know each other and learning how to breastfeed but everyone to their own. You do stay in for about 5 days too so if you like that kind of thing go for it! lol My partner and I also have private health but once our bub comes along we will definitely be going with TTH even tho my work mates will be seeing my bits lol...not a good thought!I have also done a bit of research for myself asking girls who work there how lesbian couples are treated in a 'catholic' hospital and lets just say we will be going public.

The TTH offers more of a woman centred approach. Midwives care for low risk women almost totally with you seeing the obstetrician once through your whole pregnancy unless there is something to worry about. The best option is the WOMBAT team at the moment. its a group of 10 midwives who care for low risk women and u will see them throughout your pregnancy and one of them will deliver your baby, they are all very lovely. They run their own antenatal classes and will follow you up at home to see how you are doing if you wish. Its just a bit more support. The docs usually leave these deliveries alone unless complications come up. Another option is the birth centre, it is opening up in December. Its run by midwives for low risk women and your partner can stay with you overnight but your stay is for only 24 hrs. I think its very popular so you will have to be quick if you like the sounds of it. Ask to contact the Midwife Dawn who will be the teamleader there, only 3 other midwives will be working there and they are very highly skilled. When are you due? I think the biggest downfall of going with the TTH is the long waits for antenatal appointments, this is why alot of women share care with their GP so the hospital visits are not as often but you would have to make sure you have a good GP and they are hard to come by. Maggie Mackay is an awesome GP/obstetrician who has been doing obstetrics all over the world for over 30 years so she is the best but i think shes highly booked. Anyway, I just think there is way more support at TTH, the average stay is 2 nights if you have no probs but you are also able to do the 6 hr discharge but I would strongly not recommend it if its your first bub and you are breastfeeding.

Wow, I probably gave you too much info there! I do hope you choose the TTH, I might get to see you or deliver your baby, you never know! We never get to see same sex couples so would love to see you there!

Cheers,

Leanne