what does it cost to use a family birth centre

[DoubleK]

im considering using the family birth centre at the Mercy hospital at Heidelberg... i just wondered if there is any costs involved? i was a public patient at the Angliss for my first birth, and didnt have to pay anything, are birth centres the same??


thanks girls

[danniellabella]

I had my DD in a birthing centre in Adelaide as a public patient and didn't pay anything.

[Beach Mama]

As long as you are low risk and there are vacancies you can go there as a public patient. I went there in the normal section as I was high risk but they were wonderful and I would have loved to go to the FBC. Definitely try to book ASAP though!

[Antheia]

I went as a public patient with #2 aswell and it was all free.

[DoubleK]

oh good, thanks girls!

i just assumed that since the hospital told me call the FDC directly, as they are a seperate unit, i thought there would be a fee or something.

i have booked a tour, but i didnt think to ask about that over the phone.

[feeb]

No cost involved at public hospital (as long as u have medicare) but book in as early as possible as they book up very quickly as it is 1 of only 2 fbc left in melbourne hospitals (other being monash)

[Catastrophic]

Hey... Sorry going to steal your thread tho... What exactly is a FBC? is it just a maternity hospitals... Do they have doctors there? are they australian wide?

[Antheia]

A birth centre is run by midwives. Very low intervention for low risk patients. They sometimes run out of a hospital sometimes not. Yes they are Australian wide, you just have to search for them. The ones run out of hospitals have an OB that you have to see to get clearence as low risk but other than that you just see the midwives. You also don't stay in hospital afterwards, they discharge you around 4 hours after the birth.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Wow Rach, CONGRATS hun!!!