No, I don't mean during labour, I mean before all that. What's meant to be happening now, and the next 25 or so weeks...

It is more a preference thing, I want to have my baby at the best hospital I can get. I don't want to be shafted to another hospital just because they don't foresee any problems and I currently live closer to it. Almost makes me wish I was high risk, and it makes me so sad to say that. Isn't it enough that I'm a first-time mum and I'm scared? And how the hell do they know I'm not high-risk? They haven't even checked! How do they tell?

I don't know anything about the care at the Northern, whereas I've heard so many wonderful and supportive things about the Mercy and the Royal Women's. I don't have anything telling me the Northern is "good enough." I know it's not the same, but I've been in their Emergency ward so many times over the past couple of years, and the doctors there leave a lot to be desired.

Maybe I'm expecting too much too early in my pregnancy. Maybe soon I'll be sick of seeing doctors, or whoever the hell it is I'm meant to see before I have the baby... Where's the emotional support? Or any support?
Hey Teni,
As the other ladies have already said (i'm not from melbourne but its the same in Brisbane) there are zoning rules around those major hosptials - i suppose to get the large volume of ppl that they have in that small area as well as the major emergencies.
You might find that the hosptial that you are now at might give better care (after the birth in particular) because they don't have to care for such a large number of women and babies.

I do really like your list of questions... i would think that alot of them will be answered in antenatel classes ie. surrounding the birth itself as they are catered to each hosptial. I had my classes booked at my 12week appt... so i'd definately ask about those and what they cover, and you will probably find alot of those questions you can cover in the classes. Since we are belly buddies - you'l find that your classes aren't until very late in your pregnancy... mine aren't until March.

The hospital won't provide you much emotional support atm, they are there for medical reasons and thats it. You'll find being low risk you'll probably only have like four appts with them (excluding classes) the whole pregnancy. I suggest just find one person (whether online or in real life) to mentor you and be your 'go-to girl' for any questions you have. I'm pretty blessed to have a few other pregnant women and young babies and their mums around me atm... but for all the birth and pregnancy advice i go to the young mums and for all the venting i go to the pregnant ladies I find that helps... all you have to do is just ask someone. i''ve also found alot of info off this site and other sites surrounding waterbirth (cz i'm interested in that) and alot of other things that i wouldnt normally have known.
Have you tried buying and reading a pregnancy book? There are alot of great ones out there....
if you have any questions feel free to pm me