Oh no you poor thing..I had to book into the hospital myself I didn't realise yo needed a referel to go to the hospital, although i did have to havea OB to go there...
Can you perhaps ring up and speak to someone else....just pretend you have not yet gone there and find out when you have to book in and how yo go about it...maybe you will get a different response....
I don't believe the hospital can turn you away if you arrive there in labour I may be wrong but that was my understanding maybe someone else can fill you in on that....Also surly there are other maternity hospitals around your area I would be ringing them now and booking in just incase you need an alternative to the first hospital you mentioned...regarding your dr I would like to know why they don't take referrels form your dr has she done something in the past?????
Also don't blame yourself this in no way is your fault your dr should have known when you should book into the hospital..I really hope this works out for you..wishing you all the best
Im not too sure about your hospital but if it is a public hospital they have to take you. As a public patient it is the law, if not they have refer you on to a hospital that can. Many hospitals have a midwife run program that often fills quick as there are limited places, they also have a maternity ward were you can birth. The difference is in the midwife program you will only see a midwife for check ups while pregnant and will deliver with a midwife, as long as you are considered low risk. If you are considered high risk you will have to go through the main maternity ward of a hospital.
Other options besides an OB can include a private midwife, they often do homebirths but many also attend a hospital birth so even if you just rick up to a hospital in labour your private midwife is at least someone who knows you, but the do cost a bit as most health insurance companies don't pay out on them and neither does Medicare.
Might be worth looking at any other hospitals near by or checking out the Maternity Coalition in your area. I hope you can sort it out soon, it can be very stressing.
If its a public hospital you dont need a referral. Just ring them up and tell them you want to go there to have your baby. Dont even bother telling them you've got this doctor, just tell the hospital you'll see their midwives and it should all be fine for you to book in. They actually cant turn you away, so just give them another call and talk again. Maybe they thought you wanted to book into the birthcentre or something, and they were all booked up there. But the maternity ward has to take you.
I'd firstly try just ringing and booking in over the phone. Don't mention any drs, just tell them you've just found out you're prg and want to book in. Telling you that you have to have booked in at 6 weeks is ridiculous.
If all else fails, I'd give Nepean a call. I've had both my babies there, booked in to have my third too and have had very positive experiences.
is it a public or private hospital (sorry, not from Sydney!)
i'm just asking as refusing to accept referral from a specific doctor sounds like they are a private hospy and only certain doctors have delivery rights within that hospital... in which case it makes sense them saying no - they also have limited places and may only be able to accept so many people. if it's a public hospital, you don't need a referral at all, but you may be required to see the hospital Ob's during your pregnancy...
It is just my local public hospital.
I went in and spoke in person to the head maternity lady and she was no help.
I rang nepean this morning, and explained to the lady on admin my situation (not maternity admin, as its only open mon-fri)
But the lady on general enquiries seemed helpful, and as i explained my situation she was appaled by how the other hospital had treated me.
She told me to come in monday and speak to the nepean head maternity warden, i think there is a longer waiting list to get in there, but if they will take me at 12 weeks, and be more helpful...im willing to take the chance.
I had heard bad things about hawkesbury, and didnt believe it all...till now.
Thanks for your advice all, I have been non stop stressing about this...and to make matters worse, i got pulled over by a cop on the way home from the hospital for speeding I lost 3 demerits and got a 250 buck fine.....
You will have NO problems getting into Nepean. I had Lyta, Sam and Haz there and booked in at 20 weeks and over with all 3. I might add that I absolutely LOVE their antenatal pathologist. Only woman I have ever trusted near me with needles!
They ARE a typical hospital though and you need to make it very clear what you want when it comes to labour. They *will* respect your wishes. I have only met one midwife there I didn't like and that was back in 2003 - so chances are, you wont meet her! LOL.
Reply With Quote
I lost 3 demerits and got a 250 buck fine.....
Bookmarks