Hi there,
I just read that you want an elective C sect so i'll answer your q's with reference to that, I'll presume your reasons are more personal rather than medical? With an elective c sect for non medical reason your only real option is to go privately with an OB, public hospitals will only accept you if there is a medical reason (previous c sect, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, breeech presentation etc) but they could accept you for psychological reasons as well, wouldn't hurt to ask.
1. So first you go to your GP for a referral to an OB. You can do research and pick one or get your GP to help you choose. You'll have to find one who'll be happy to do an elective c sect. Each OB will have a few hospitals which they deliver at so that could influence or decision. You may choose to be a private patient in a public hosp, private patient in a private hosp or if you have no health cover go private and pay upfront.
2. Pregnancy care is only free if you are a public patient in a public hospita. Let's say you decide to give birth in a private hosp with an OB. You'll have to pay OB fees (these vary greatly but I'd say $4000 is an average figure in Melbourne, you get some back from Medicare), Ultrasounds (you can claim some of that back on medicare, my 20 week one cost $175 and got about $90 back I think) and there could be out of pocket expenses at the hospital as well plus your excess if you have health insurance. Blood tests are bulk billed i'm pretty sure.
3. Your OB will advise you when to get ultrasounds but you'll have to pay for them.
4. I outlined that at the start for you
Hope that's helpful
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