so my book-in at Bendigo is 7 days away....

[tellytubby]

hi Phynna,
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm not at your hospital, so i can't say for sure what will happen at your first appointment, but i can say generally what happens (well this is what has happened for all three of my pregnancies)

Your appointment will most likely be with a midwife, she will weigh and measure you to get your BMI. She will take your blood pressure, she will take bloods to check your rubella levels, HCG (maybe), err and i forget what else they test for, lol! They will ask you when your last period was and work out your due dates. Have you had an ultrasound done yet? If so they will want a copy of the report.

I really can't imagine them doing an internal. Its just not really necessary. With DD i had my first internal done while in labour (which seems to be a quite common with the other ladies here on BB too). When was your last papsmear? They will ask that question too. If its been over two years maybe they'll do one (not sure i've never left mine over two years).

If you're going public?? I have only the best things to say about them. They have lower intervention rates and by no means are they on a lower level than a private hospital. My labour room had the fitness ball, bean bags, shower, spa EVERYTHING! It was a huge room that i could move around in. Midwives generally prefer you to move around during your labour, staying in bed with stirrups is a bit out of date However if you're going to go public you will more than likely be sharing your room (once the bub is born) with another lady (depending how many beds they have in each room, some have 4, some have 6, some have 2).

Umm after your first appointment you should be seeing an Ob every 4 weeks until about 28 weeks i think (??) after that ever two weeks, then as it gets closer every week. If your going public you will not be able to chose your MW or your Ob. Luck of the draw! I have had no problems with my MW, been very lucky indeed! Or my Ob's for that matter!

I'm not sure what you mean about a social worker?? why do you want one exactly?

They will not kick you out of hospital until you have established breastfeeding (or have a fair idea) and you and bub are healthy. I stayed for 5 days when DD was born, and they were in no rush to kick me out.

If you want a private ward, i'm pretty sure you need to have private health insurance, you can always ask them tho, maybe they do have some type of payment thing??? really don't know!

Hmm i think i've answered most of your questions. And i am no expert, this is just what i have learnt personally, after having my daughter 18 months ago. I hope it helps! Let me know if you have any more questions

ps- also, depending how far along you are they may try and find bubs HB with the doppler, if they don't - don't stress! If its still early there won't be any chance of finding it, they didn't find mine till around 16 weeks. Ultrasounds = you can have an optional one done at 12 weeks called the nuchal translucency (sp), it will test for downsyndrome and some abnormalties, this ultrsound will cost you money (it is not refunded my medicare either). And then you have one between 18 -20 weeks.

pps- lol, i keep adding to this post! In regards to birthing options, some hospitals have a 'birth centre'. its a centre which encourages natural birth, for low risk pregnancy only. I don't know much about the birth centre, but have heard great reports!