Nadine I'm in Sydney as well & my u/s have both been $110, not sure how much I can claim back - haven't done that part yet! I'm doing shared care (going between Dr & hospital clinic) and all of those appointments are covered by medicare.

As for going private, for me it was waaay to expensive. It was going to cost over $2500, just for the hospital - the excess, OB being there, room fees etc. I had to go to Bigge St Hospital in Liverpool cos that's the only place my insurance covered which meant I had the choice of only 1 OB anyway (there's only 1 working there). So all in all I decided it was better for me to have the bub at Campbelltown Public which is close to home.