Should I do this?!

Hi ladies,

I'm currently expecting my 2nd baby. I had my first at the Mercy (Melbourne) and really liked the experience there. We have since moved (not that much further away mind you!) but I know for sure we are no longer in the zone to go there as a public patient.

My sis-in-law told me I should use someone's address, or say that I'm living there so I can get into the Mercy again because the hospital which is now local to us is apparently really awful. I'm a bit scared now, because I want the best for my baby and I, but I feel a bit guilty! Will I get into trouble or will any issues come up if I do this? I mean, I guess they only know what you tell them, but I'm a bit concerned what happens with the home visits afterwards etc...

Anyway any of your thoughts or experiences are appreciated! I'm not sure what to do!!!!!

I'm not sure about using another address. You should call and ask before you make any decisions. I had my first there and moved out of the zone after, then had number 2 there as well. I'm now am onto number 3 and had no worries getting in.

I think they might accept you if you've had babies there before.

Ooooh, sounds very naughty ;) I have heard of others doing this to get their children into certain schools! lol. Wonder what would happen if you 'moved house' a week or two before your bub is born? That would help with the home visits after the birth.

I would probably organise a visit/tour to your new local hospital and see if it's really that bad. Quite often people are very quick to speak openly about negative experiences, but not so vocal about positive experiences.

Which mercy? If werribee, best way to try to get in is through shared care. You can ting them to 'book' and then confirm dr's locally that do shared care.

That sounds promising BMW! But my GP was the one who actually suggested using a relative's address because they have become more fussy now?

"Moving" shortly prior to baby arriving sounds pretty reasonable Peekaboo ;) I could even say I "already told them" about it earlier, but they said not to alter the records until we'd actually moved?! LOL maybe that sounds funny, I'm clearly a hopeless liar!

Thanks MLR1901, its the Heidelberg hospital I'm hoping to go to.

don't think the birth centre there is zoned. I am way out of the area and was accepted for a birth there last year.

I can't really add anything to your question about possibly lying to stay eligible for the Mercy except to say that I always find that lying, even white ones creates stress and sometimes you end up needing to tell even more lies to support the first.

Really, I was just curious about where you got your info from on he hospital that is 'awful'? I've had a brilliant experience (barring an issue with one individual doctor) at the hospital I had both my babies at and until recently I had not heard anything negative about the place. But then I met someone who HATED it. Who spoke with utter contempt about the place and who looked a little worried for me that I'm planning on birthing there again. If I'd spoken with her first, I would have believed that this place too, is 'awful'. But my experiences, and those of several friends and colleagues who've had babies there, counter that.

I guess I'm just saying that individual experiences vary wildly and that if your concerns are based on a single report then it may be worth getting a second, third and fourth opinion.

Wishing you all the best xoxo

The idea to have a tour and meet everybody seems a good one. Care is very personal and what you like somebody else may not. Birth plan clashes and inflexible people from.both sides can leave bad feelings but doesn't mean its a bad place for u.
To put your mind at ease I would vist and also talk to the hospital re if you are eligible to birth there.
Best to get it sorted soon to save you worry :hug: