Mater Mother's (Public)

[tellytubby]

Hey Heva, i had my DD public. When i went for the first appointment they gave me a little book FULL of useful info. What to bring, what they supply, what i have to supply. Ask the hospital, perhaps they forgot to give you one?

[Serenitylee]

I am going public where I am and the service has been fantastic. I have been provided with my own Pregnancy Journal and it has everything in it i need to know! It goes through each week of the pregnancy and tells me what is happening with the baby and my body and I also have a schedule of what appts i will during the pregnancy and when i will have them (e.g. routine check up at 28 weeks, then 30 weeks etc), I also have a pamphlet on breastfeeding, their parenting and birthing classes (which tells me what is in the class and who is holding it) and i also have a pamphlet of a number to call if i have any concerns. Gosh there is heaps more but I don't want to sit here writing it all out. Also everything is free, even my P&B classes and BF classes oh and one last thing, in my pregnancy booklet it tells me what to bring to the hospital when I come in for the birth. Its great!

[Calluna]

Hey Heva, i had my DD public. When i went for the first appointment they gave me a little book FULL of useful info. What to bring, what they supply, what i have to supply. Ask the hospital, perhaps they forgot to give you one?

ill go through the stuff they gave me again, but i don't remember seeing it. what does it look like?

ETA: Does it look kind of like a magazine?

[BekZ]

Heva -I am 27 weeks and I am going public. Are you using the midwife program or share care with your doctor? If you are doing the midwife program then they should have been advised you on your apt scedule, plus given you information regarding antenatal classes (mine are free), breast feeding classes (free) and hospital tours.

If you are going through your GP then you'll go to them for your regular apts. Plus you'll probably go to the hospital for a 28wk, 36wk and 40wk apt.

Personally I would call the hospital and ask them to give you all these details. Some times you have to chase them and keep asking questions.

[Calluna]

Heva -I am 27 weeks and I am going public. Are you using the midwife program or share care with your doctor? If you are doing the midwife program then they should have been advised you on your apt scedule, plus given you information regarding antenatal classes (mine are free), breast feeding classes (free) and hospital tours.

If you are going through your GP then you'll go to them for your regular apts. Plus you'll probably go to the hospital for a 28wk, 36wk and 40wk apt.

Personally I would call the hospital and ask them to give you all these details. Some times you have to chase them and keep asking questions.

I'm doing the Midwife program, they've only just (at last appointment) given me the appointment schedule, they gave me info re antenatal classes but they all had to be paid for and no info on hospital tours or breast feeding.
I think I'd better call them. Just dont really know what to ask.

[BekZ]

I have a friend going to MM and I was surprised that she had to pay for her antenatal classes..This is a rip off imo.

Tell them you are a first time mum and that you need some information regarding breastfeeding classes and hosptial tours. Ask then when and where. If you have another mid apt sceduled then you could ask the midwfie then

[Calluna]

thanks heaps. I'll write it down so I don't forget.

[Chow]

Heva - I am going public at MM. At my first apoint i was given a bookelt, Mag size about having your baby at MM this is where you will find all the info. I was also given a whole stack of photocopied brouchs on Brest Feeding and all sorts of stuff, Mind you I never read any of this until the weekend as I have an appointment tomorrow and felt bad I had not ready any of it Yep had to pay for AntiN class it is $75 I think and they do a tour then, a friend of mine didn't do the classes and just asked for a tour and they gave her one.
Hope it all works out for you,

[Just Me]

I don't know about much about Brisbane services, but maybe there is somewhere else you could do antenatal classes where you won't be charged (like the Royal Brisbane Hospital). I don't know, but maybe it is worth having a look and seeing if you can enrol somewhere else that will bulk bill or whatever they do.

Especially being a first time mum, antenatal classes can help prepare you for what to expect.

Maybe even post a thread and ask other members from Brisbane if there is anything like that around.

I agree with BekZ - I think it is terrible that they make you pay for antenatal classes. I thought they would be free through all public hospitals.

Good luck with ringing the hospital - I hope you get hold of the info that you are after.