we're pregnant and trying to decide on a OB and hospital

[liffie]

Hi everyone,
My husband and I just completed an ivf cycle and found out we are pregnant. now it is time to choose an OB. We are so confused and don't even really know the major differences between public vs private. we want to go public but are not sure if you can choose your OB here?
We are looking at using St George or Sutherland hospitals. Does anybody have any recommendations of open minded OB's at the public sectors there? (I'm not a total hippy but don't want an OB set in their ways and very dictatorial about alternative methods of pain relief, and clamping the placental blood straight away after birth etc) Someone confident enough to take the reins when needed but also not to over-medicalize the process. (Going through ivf is completely unnatural medicalized process and i found very hard on the body)
Thanking you in advance for any advice you all have.

[onthefly]

Congratulations on your pregnancy
If you go public ypu don't get to choose your OB.
I would either locate an OB in the private sysdtem who has a similar take on birth as you. Or, go through a midwife-led system in a public hospital or a birth centre - you get a more birth-is-natural philosophy with medical backup as required.

[liffie]

Thanks for that. That at least clears up our wonders whether we got to choose.
What do you mean by a midwife-led system? Sorry i'm a complete beginner.

[Melbournemumma]

If you go public I'd suggest Sutherland as opposed to st George. Have had friend who had babies at both and the experiences of those at Sutherland just seemed better than my friend who had babies at st George.

If you want to go private. I cannot recommend st george private highly enough. They were fantastic and I loved my ob. If you want more info just pm me

[meow]

St George hospital runs a homebirth program

[HotI]

St George hospital runs a homebirth program

choose this! choose this!

[onthefly]

By widwife-led care I mean you see midwives for you antenatal care. Hopefully you'll see the same midwives again for the birth (in contrast, even if you ahve your own OB they aren't generally there for the labour) and then for your postnatal care as well.

[angelaartsstudent]

Not all pregnancies *need* an OB...most don't and get on 100% fine with midwife care right through...consider this before making the public/private choice, becuase with private you are paying for an OB whether you need/want one or not.

You can also go shared care with a GP if you have a healthy, low risk pregnancy - which is where you don't see your hospital team until 36 weeks. It's my favourite public option, esp if you have a good relationship with your GP.

You can also go an IM for a homebirth if you're considering one.

[angelaartsstudent]

By widwife-led care I mean you see midwives for you antenatal care. Hopefully you'll see the same midwives again for the birth (in contrast, even if you ahve your own OB they aren't generally there for the labour) and then for your postnatal care as well.

Really!? I had no idea it was meant to work like this...I never saw the same Dr or midwife once with my 1st pregnancy!

[onthefly]

That's why I inserted "hopefully" in there. sometimes it works out. At birth centres and some hospitals they do make the effort to maintain some continuity of care.

[angelaartsstudent]

Oh no offense intended...it was more a comment on my general ignorance!

[onthefly]

none taken! Every pregnant woman should get continuity of care, unfortunately most don't really.

[liffie]

thanks everyone for your thoughts. it was a super hard decision but your posts helped me get started on it.