My local public hossy is a disgrace (in terms of service, ammenities - tho i hear SOME midwives are great) and I wouldn't go there (for non baby reasons) unless I was dying and didn't think i'd survive the trip to Syd/Newcastle. So I didn't feel like I had much of a choice to make. My experience with my Ob and private hossy was AWESOME and I wouldn't hesitate to go back with my next bub. My room was lovely, food great, always a midwife when I needed one eg when I needed help to feed. My Ob did deliver Blake via ventrose and did a great job stitching me up. Also got to stay till I felt ready to go home (5 days). My local public has also got some very bad press lately regarding crap/inadequete meals and forcing women to go home before they are ready (ie after 4 hours - when they WANTED to stay in). I have also had a local GP tell me to drive to Westmead (about an hour away) - don't go to local - if DS needs medical attention

Going private was $$$ ($80 per visit + $1000 preg planning fee + $200 excess + scans) but such a great, positive experience before during and after birth - priceless.

If you have a good public option - you will have a harder decision to make than I did.