Going private + no OB

[Olive]

I was going to suggest going private in a public hospital.... why do you want to go private??

[Hummingbird]

You could get the list of Obs that service the hospital that you want to go to and ring around asking firstly if they are available when you're going to deliver and then what the fees are.

My Ob is $1500 and I get some of that back, whereas my SIL paid over $5000 for hers! Mind you these were at two different hospitals (some private hospital's obs charge more than others too!)

I love my Ob and I didn't want to go to my local public hospital, hence private. I don't really need the years of medical study that he has done (well I don't think I do at this stage!) but you need an Ob to go private.

Hope this helps!

[visitor1]

Basically i have PHI so i figure may as well use the services i pay for, 'get my monies worth' so to speak.

Ive always gone public, whilst its been ok, i just feel like another number to the system and they dont seem to have the time to help when i needed it the most. Sure they are under staffed, but even 10 mins was a hassle.

Each time ive left early because i felt so uncomfortable being 'ignored'.

Im not keen on sharing rooms all the time.


I know i couldnt afford an OB....and to be going private in a public hosp defeats the purpose of the whole PHI situation KWIM?

Like why pay for PHI and still end up in a public hospital

[Inanna]

It's gone now Lulu..xxx

If you go private you need an obstetrician. However, I had one that agreed not to be in the room during the birth unless I needed a medical intervention... - which of course I didn't!

Remember this is your body. Your baby. Your birth. You decide. Your responsibility though to get the best care for you. For me it was only to have a trusted care provider who was a Woman and a Midwife!

Yep, my doctor gave me a raised brow... But I said: Sorry J this is woman's business and it's normal. If it becomes abnormal I'd love your help! He was very okay with it... We had/have a great relationship because of it.

You can find the care provider you need - but it's your responsibility to seek it out.

Good luck!

[Trillian]

Mirabelle, you get treated exactly the same way in a private hosptial - the money certainly doesn't buy you respect and you are still treated like a number - that's something that doesn't change. If you look into it, some public hospitals do have private rooms. It really is up to you and what kind of birth you really want. Considering that you do it pretty easy and don't have any complications, you could even look at a birth centre.

[Inanna]

Mmm I would have to say for me the care I received in a private hospital was very different from the public hospital (I was a private patient in a public hospital)...

Private hospitals have to keep customers so their "customer service" is sometimes (but certainly not always!) better.

I know it was significantly better in my experience in the private system.

[visitor1]

Trillian i would love to go via birth centre but im classed as high risk to them.

So what do you pay for if you go private in public hospital?

I assume everything?

ETA: I apoligise for a previous coment made....i worded it badly, so sorry to have offended any members

[Olive]

i *think* you just pay your excess probably wrong!!

[Trillian]

Our closest private hospital is terrible on their maternity ward judging by what I've heard - I've not heard a single positive story about being treated well over there. I was so lucky to have a very small district hospital that was just like a private hospital anyway - choice of Dr and single rooms etc.

Mirabelle, I guess another thing is that even though PHI is very exxie, it costs the same for your public hospital stay as well, just that the public hospital tab gets picked up by the tax payer plus. I would be making use of it simply so you get some benefit from your PHI.

ETA - it's handled the exact same way as a private hospital stay - you give them your PHI details and they send the bill to them and depending on your level of cover you may have a gap payment etc - just as you would with a private hospital.

[Mum2SweetCs]

Mirabelle, you get treated exactly the same way in a private hosptial - the money certainly doesn't buy you respect and you are still treated like a number - that's something that doesn't change. If you look into it, some public hospitals do have private rooms.

Public hospitals have private rooms but everyone is treated the same. If all the rooms are filled you will not get your own room even if you went as a private patient.

I also believe (the private hospital I went to) treated me better than how my friends were treated at a public hospital (3 friends went to a public hospital as private patients).

Of course there are bad and good nurses in both hospitals.

I chose private because i am terrified of hospitals and so with private my DH could stay overnight with me and it felt more like a hotel room rather than a hospital (the smell, the commotion)

For my second bub however, i may go public since I hope that I wont be staying there as long as i did for my first bub.

You can do a tour of both hospitals and then just write down the pros and cons of each.

In the end it is your decision and one which will make you feel most comfortable.

Best of luck!

[Mum2SweetCs]

double post

[Mum2SweetCs]

BTW, I wasnt happy with my OB and believe me when i say obs tend to go on alot of SPUR of the MOMENT holidays!

[nellnell]

I went in as a 'private' patient in a public hospital. All rooms were singles and DH was allowed to stay overnight for my entire stay. My public hospital covered ALL costs and I didnt even have to pay my excess. So wonderful.

I even changed our moving plans so I could give birth to my second bub there!

I had a GP and was attended to by wonderful midwives who all had relatively the same philosophy. No OB