Warning! Stupid question ahead!

[DGirl]

Well I know nothing about pregnancy related things so here is one really ignorant question.

What does your Ob do? Why do you need one?
:-s

[*Belle*]

Hi there

Im new to this too. I have yet to see my OB for my first appointment, but from what i have been told by my GP the Ob does the following:

10 Week and/or 12 week ultrasound scan.

Regular appointments when pregnant to see if everything is ok and baby is well.

Delivers baby or Midwife delivers baby.

Bel

[DGirl]

So you don't really see them a whole lot then?

Thanks Bel. I'm such a beginner.

[Lucy]

With Olivia, I saw mine once a month from 7 weeks to 30 weeks, then once a fortnight until 36 weeks, then once a week till 41 weeks.

He did all my scans, & an amnio (not that I would wish that on anyone) and was "on call" for me 24/7 via mobile/email etc. And organised blood tests etc.

I also was able to phone the midwives at his practice anytime for "little" concerns.

I built a great relationship with him & he delivered Olivia and I am glad that he did: she got a bit stuck & he was fantastic.

He then also gave me referrals for Meet Other Parents/Breastfeeding support groups etc, and I had a 6 week check then a pap smear with him.

[DGirl]

Thanks everyone. I had no idea they were so involved.
You guys are the greatest \/

[Ambah]

As a public patient I never had an Ob as such... I think I saw one at 2 of my appts, but the rest of the time I just dealt with the midwives which was great. And one of the midwives I had been seeing actually delivered Aidyn too!

[dee73]

Yeah - I chose to go public and save the money I would otherwise be giving the OB. I 'm regularly seeing a midwife thru my hospital and she's fantastic. If I have complications they bring in a hospital OB, but I haven't needed this. My midwife will deliver baby again assuming there are no complications.

[Sal]

After umming and ahhing over this exact issue, I went and saw an Obs for my first ever appt at 11w. He referred me for the NT and morphology scan and had a chat. He practices only at a private hospital, and I wasn't sure whether I'd go private or public. I've since decided to ditch my private health cover (yay! save $100 a month) and go public, so I guess my care will be like Ambahs.

Unless you have complications, I just don't see the need for an obs 8-[

[Fee]

I found this on the Net:

Obstetricians are doctors who have undergone a further period of specialist training. Your obstetrician will look after all your medical needs during your pregnancy and will cater for all types of pregnancy from low to high risk.

And doesn't having an OB mean that's who you get to see all during your pregnancy?

I want to go private so I'm going to have an OB.

[Deejoy17]

Fee - yes when going private the OB you choose will be your OB right throughout your pregnancy, birth, and post natal care. Unless of course he happens to be on holidays.

My OB was fantastic and when I got my kidney infection and admitted to hospital at 24 weeks he saw me every day even late at night when the midwives where worried about me they called him in at 9.30pm, the midwives had a fantastic relationship with him too. Then when I had to have a c/s (due to cpd) my OB delivered Matthew, checked on him after birth and on discharge checked us both out and mentioned if I`m concerned about anything make an appt with him, I couldn`t ask for better care.

Take Care

Deeanne

[BellyBelly]

If you choose to go private, you need to book an Ob and you give birth at one of the hospitals they are registered with - it's the way it all works.

Since I have been doing my course, I have come to my own little conclusion which is just my opinion so feel free to come to your own conclusion, just thought I would add this!

Like you see a doctor when you are sick, if you need specialist help, you a referred to see a specialist, for a specialist condition. But ironically, these days it seems that we are automatically programmed into having a specialist for something which is generally a 'normal' and healthy process. Obstetricians make money from things not being normal. Midwives do their best to keep things normal. So for me, I will see a midwife in future, as I believe I don't need an Obstetrician unless the situation requires it. I'm confident that I don't need Obstetric pre-natal care and a midwife is completely capable and confident. This is in no way in any offence to those who choose an Obstetrician - we all have choices and options (perhaps for some of us, not as much as we like!) which is a fabulous thing!

This might freak people out now, but I would love to see a day where we see midwives for our pre-natal care and are referred to an Obstetrician when we need specialist care. And lets face it, more often than not, the Ob misses the birth and the midwives are there with you, not the Ob!

[Sal]

Kelly you are a kindred spirit! My mum and sister were shocked when I said 'I don't need to see an Obs unless I have a complication' as they just assumed that every pg woman sees an Obs.

Any anyway, midwives deliver far more babies than Obs do...

[DGirl]

Does private health cover the full amount for an OB?
I've got hospital cover with Aust Unity.

[Tracey]

I agree Kelly,
I see my OB, whom is a Dr at a General Practice & whether I see him for pregnancy or any other ailment it's the same price & then Medicare rebated...

I was booked in to do midwife care when we were preg in Nov, but then we had a M/C, when I called OB after my pregnancy symptoms never disappeared & my period didn't return, he confirmed pregnancy, I decided to stay with him, because when I had intially called the Midwife acrea t the Hospital the first question they asked was "Have you ever had a loss?" As it was so raw I could not bare to be asked that question at the time, I am comfortable with my OB, & as I go to The Angliss which is Public as a Public patient, he only will be called if there are complications or he is there at the time, other than that I was impressed & happy with the Midwives that delivered Maddison...

In future (when we go back again) I would go through Midwife care...

[angiebaby]

my OB has been my security blanket. Being 41 and having my first baby, i really did not have any idea as to what would lie ahead for me and what "specialist" care i would need. So for me, an OB was my only option.

I have seen him since week 6 and will continue to do so throughout my pregnancy, when he delivers our baby and for my 6 week visit after baby is born.

I have been very fortunate to have had a great pregnancy so far, but what if i didnt, i really could not have coped with looking for "specialist" care when i was at crisis time, i would prefer to be pre-prepared.

My OB was a great help for me emotionally for when i had my CVS too.

Everyones circumstances are different but there are times when choosing an OB is the 1st choice.

[Adnil]

i am seeing my OB and GP, doing 'shared care'. this just reduces the cost of going to my OB for all my visits, but it means i have gotten to know him a bit before the big day arrives,

Linda

[angiebaby]

Daves Girl, just saw you question re OB costs by private health insurance.

Your private health insurance only covers your stay in hosiptal and associated services, it does not cover your OB's services. OB services are rebateable by Medicare and the amount you get back will depend on the gap and if you are at the 80% threshold. Also OB's tnd to use private clinics for ultasounds etc, so these dont tend to be free either and once again you will get a medicare rebate.

[BellyBelly]

No it doesn't cover the full cost of an Ob, in fact very little - Medicare covers more of the tab. The unfortunate thing is that private midwives are not covered *at all* so this makes them an expensive option. Nor are they insured due to Private Health Funds, so you need to sign a waiver agreement if you wish to have them attend your birth. They are rallying like mad though and have formed what is called the 'Maternity Coalition' of which I am a part of. They are fighting for reform. I pray they get it, and soon... small steps.

Ironically, the obstetric health system, especially the ultrasounds component costs taxpayers bazillions and *I think* is the most expensive chunk in the budget for all health things. It is constantly being funded which is great for those who need it, but think of how much money could be saved if they government would budget more for midwifery care and birth centres, which cost so much less and would save so much! Of course, this isn't suitable for high risk patients but I know plenty of women out there that would definitely prefer or be interested in the cheaper options and continuity of care offered by midwives.