OB vs GP vs Midwife?

[Karina]

amyjean, RNS is really great. I missed out on the Group Midwifery practice because they only started it just before my baby was born (well thats what they told me!)
If you go to the birth centre, you can have pain relief, but only gas and pethidine. They would not normally give you epidural unless they believe you need it (eg to lower blood pressure and things like that). You ight be able to get moved to the labour ward if you need more powerful pain relief. I didnt go to the birth centre, I went to the regular labour ward. The birth centre is nice though - double bed and your DH can stay with you!


josephine, North Shore Private is lovely (looks like a 5 star hotel, lol),but the Obs there charge huge gap fees (like $4500!! ) and their obs book up really really fast so you might have missed out by now. I went to RNS (public) as a public patient and they were fantastic. Book in soon though as they get really busy! You should still be able to get involved in their programs though - they cant really turn you away or anything, but if they cant accommodte you in their post-natal facility, they will move you to Ryde or Hornsby or whichever other hospital is closest to your home.

I also agree with becmc, i didnt choose to have an Ob because I felt I would get great care by Midwives, which I did. If I were to develop some medcal condition during my pregnancy I would be allocated an Ob through the public system anyway.