Stephanie, I had my son Alex at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton. He was five weeks early and I was in hospital for a month before he was born.

I had an emergency c/s and Alex and I were both in hospital for ten days after he was born.

I was a public patient. If I had chosen to go private, I would have had $100/night for out of pockets, plus the anaesthetist, obstetricians (I had two), paediatricians (two) and hospital fees. It would have been well over $10,000.

I now can't get private health insurance for obstetrics. They just won't cover me!

Monash also has a NICU and SCN, so if you're expecting a child early, or that might have problems, try Monash.

I'm currently in their High Risk clinic and don't pay a cent for any ob visits or ultrasounds.