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

[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]

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.

[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.