My fee is $4k, and of that there is a approx $1333 fee that is not claimable. So I know that bit upfront, and the rest is up to where I am with the safetynet... And TBH I agree with Mels points, and besides, I like my OB, and that money that I pay him is asking him to drop everything and be at my side when I need him.

I was in the same position as you all in my last pregnancy, and when I made my claim early in the year, it put my over the safety net, and that then made all my further medical expenses for the majority of the year rebateable at the 80%... So it worked out OK. And also, remember you can clam an additional tax rebate on medical expenses so you do get a bit more back at tax time...