I'm in Melbourne too, Loula, and my OB charges about the same as yours. Total OOP cost just for the OB is slightly more than $6000. As Janie said, that's perhaps slightly more than the Melbourne average... but only slightly!! I did ring around when I discovered that I was pregnant this time and found out how much it would cost us OOP to return to my previous OB. The least expensive OB I called (I only called those whom I had personal recommendations for) was still $3500 OOP.

First appt was... mmm... something around $200 and I got back 60 something bucks. I will pay $3500 at 20 weeks, rebate is about $400, then pay $1500 at 30 weeks no rebate from Medicare. I have been told by my OB's receptionist that Medicare have capped OB rebates and the total I will get back is somewhere between $400 and $500. Is VERY expensive!!! But we have chosen to go back to the same OB who delivered our last two kiddies, so we have no choice but to suck it up... and pay up!!!