Thanks everyone!

I really appreciate your replies. I never thought about insurance for the baby. Now I can add that to my list of things to do!

I am covered still covered by Medicare, so public is an option. I read on another thread that private hospitals often don't have emergency surgery facilities for newborns, so that makes public more attractive.

I guess the big variable is complications. If there's any indication of looming problems I think I'd want to go home. I had a m/c last year and the on-call obstetrician (French) had terrible English. It made the situation even more distressing because he couldn't understand my questions.

My only worry about going home is spending so much time away from my partner. He could maybe take a month off work. I really think it's important for him to be there at the birth and in the first few weeks.