public or private???

[onthefly]

There are also often less staff on prvate wards. Support in public is awesome in terms of physio, lactation consultants etc and you can often go back for free.

This is a really good point. They have lower midwife/patient ratios and higher c/s rates. So you may not see much of the middies if you've had a vaginal birth.
Lots of things to consider anyway

[Cherished]

I also think it's a good idea to do a hospital tour of the private ones in your area and the public hospital. For us there was only really one option (private) and that is mainly because dh and I want to stay together for the whole time and we want a room to ourselves plus I really want a water birth and that is only possible at the private hospital. Is cost a factor for you? If you don't have private health insurance cover for pregnancy etc for 12 months prior to the birth date the private hospital fees would be thousands of dollars. That is also something to ask about. If it is only a matter of support than as PollyA said I'm sure there would be midwife support in your area you can organise