Hi, I don't need to send in my booking/registration for the public hospital straight away, I thought I would need to book but apparently my OB does it and as long as the hospital receives my paperwork 2 weeks before delivery everythings ok. I also chose this hospital because they have such a great rep for low intervention.
Re intervention, I think it's a common belief that private OB's and hospitals push intervention and CS to make more money and for time convenience... I'd like to shine an different light on that, consider that public hospitals are even more pressed for time, beds, scheduals and they want money too etc than what a private hospital is... For example i was told an interesting story of a ladies birth only a few weeks ago in the public hospital here... There were 8 births that day and only one natural (hers) and that was only because she insisted that she go it natural! The midwife came back to her a next day and told her about the other 7 births and how unnecesary the CS's were and congratulated her for sticking to her birth plan. I think the moral of the story is you will need to be confident enough to stand up to whoever is giving you advise on the day and ask as many questions as you need to without jumping into surgery or getting drugs. Goodluck
Babyluv - I'd do two things. Have a look at the stats obviously and if you do decide to go private, ask the ob for their caesar rate - that would be a pretty good indication of how pro-natural birth they are. It's not just about the caesar rate obviously, there's also interventions such as inductions, episiotomies etc. but I think their caesar rate would be a pretty good indicator.
Then compare that with the public hospitals. As someone else said, when it comes to private hospitals there could be a big variation between doctors. For instance, my ob has the lowest caesar rate in Melbourne but the hospitals he delivers at still have quite high caesar rates (I think one of them may even be as high as 50% but it's a while since I looked - that's going on what someone told me recently). If his is quite low (so say 20% which is not that low but just for the sake of argument) and the hospitals is 50%, there must be obs delivering in that hospital whose caesar rate is much higher than 50%.
I imagine you wouldn't see a big difference in caesar rates between obs at the same public hospital but I could be wrong and I'm sure someone else will pop in with more knowledge about that.
Wow thankyou girls, I have alot to think about.
We are not UTD yet but hoping it will happen very soon.
I definately want a natural birth without drugs or intervention unless medically necessary.
When I find an Ob I will now be asking what their Ceaser rates are.
Good for you Babyluv - I don't think they are used to being asked that question (but it's a personal mission of mine to get more women asking) so expect them to be a bit taken aback. But I think their willingness/unwillingness to provide you with an answer will also speak volumes.
The gals have given you tons of information, particularly Catherine.
I'll quickly share my story as I went to SJOG in Berwick. This was in June of 2007. I chose SJOG as I live 5 mins away, have private health insurance, had heard mixed reports of South Eastern (two terrible reports being from a very close gf of mine - PM if you want the details). I also heard from a GF that at the time Casey would not admit you if your BMI was in the obese range, which mine was and that you would have to go to Dandenong hospital.....
Started pre-labour on Thursday night - up & down, timing contractions, calling the hospital, going to the hospital then being sent home as contractions would slow down. This was constant over the weekend too. Went in Saturday & had internal done, only 1cm. Was told to go home, rest as much & if contractions come on quicker/more intense to return - never bothered, nothing really changed. Went in very early Sunday morning as I was buggered from lack of sleep & they asked if I wanted a sleeping tablet but had to remain in hospital so they could keep an eye on me. Must have dozed off then ended up in the bath/shower at about 5am on & off until OBS (not mine) came in about 8am (?), again only 1cm dialated. Grrrr! Was given option of going home to continue labouring & seeing fill in OBS (mine was on holidays) the next day about 4pm or have my water ruptured / put on the drip. Chose the later after much consultation with DH & sister. Full on labour started 10am labour progressed to about 6cms dialation at about 4pm. Ended up trying the gas & had an epidural for pain relief. DD heartrate was becoming difficult to find & when they did it was all over the place. She seemed wedged right under my ribs, rather than down & engaged (?) OBS gave me choice of continuing to labour or c-sect. Again, after much consultation with DH & sister decided on c-sect. DD was 'born' just past 6pm. Care during theatre was amazing. Everyone kept talking to me, telling me what was going on, m/w & other surgical team kept stroking my hair, holding my hand. Went to recovery for short time before being t'fered to a room where I got to properly cuddle & feed DD. Next day was transferred into a double room - DH quite welcome to stay and stayed for 8 days due to bf difficulties. They offered for me to stay another day but I declined & went home.
I agree with choosing an OBS who is supportive of your birth choice but also you want to go to a hospital where the m/ws are supportive of the after care and parenting choices you want to make. SJOG m/w were really quite supportive. Some I didn't 'click' with & one when I decided to ff DD chose to ignore me (WTH?!), other than that I couldn't really fault them.
Many hospitals offer 'information sessions' where you get to tour the midwifery unit & meet an OBS & m/ws. If you can, go to them and get as much knowledge as possible. Best of luck with your decision.
Thankyou so much rhichichi,
I was considering SJOG and have heard good things, I will definately go to an open day! Sth Eastern was recommended by hubby's mum, do you mind telling me what happened with your friends who went there?
Sounds like SJOG gave you the freedom to make your own choices and try for a natural birth which I really like I've also heard since the renovations the rooms are big and hubby can stay and that bubs stays with you the whole time! Anything else you can share about SJOG?
Thankyou again for your response
xo
In total there are 16 rooms in the maternity ward - 8 for c-sect and 8 doubles. The doubles have access to a balcony and there is a bath in each room to bath the baby. (So good you don't have to leave your room to bath bubs!)
Rooms are larger at Sth Eastern from what I can remember & fairly seperate from the general admission ward. At SJOG the general admissions ward links up with the maternity ward (no doors to walk through), although you can tell they are seperate wards. Parking is a bugger at SJOG if you choose to park in Gibb Street, otherwise there is parking on Gloucester Ave.
DD stayed the majority of the time in my room, although the m/ws gave me a break & took DD for a little while so I could try to sleep.
One thing I think all mums should do is put the sign on the door that says 'Do not Disturb'. That way you only get m/ws coming in when you call for them or they have to check something and to drop off your meals. I remember cleaning staff coming in really early to clean my ensuite & change my towels - which was awful, so I ended up putting the sign on the door & closing the door. They come back later in the day to clean & change towels.
I actually went to the hospital today to see my nan & they also offer at home midwifery service if you go home early. That is a new thing, they didn't have that when I was there.
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I've also heard since the renovations the rooms are big and hubby can stay and that bubs stays with you the whole time! Anything else you can share about SJOG?
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