Having a Baby in Oz

[ShaunWilson]

We found out my wife was pregnant the week before we came here. Contacted local doc when we got here, and they helped and explained everything we needed to do. 7 months later, the baby was born at Flinders Hospital, and the staff and hospital were terrific. Only difference we noticed from our other 2 in the Uk was that you had to a lot of the appointment making etc yourself, and the after care when you come out of hospital is a lot different, with no mid-wife visit etc. You have to do that all yourself by going to the Child and Youth services.

[katieb]

Hi,

I came over to Adelaide last May and was 5 months pregnant. When I first arrived the lady at the Medicare Office recommended that I go to the Womens and Childrens hospital in North Adelaide as "if you have any complications that's where you end up anyway".

I have to say that I was very pleased with the service that I received from them. I attended a mid-wife appointment every 4 weeks and then every 2 weeks nearer the date and they were excellent. During the birth a mid-wife stayed by my side through the whole experience and was very reassuring.

I believe that the care I received was better than I would have got in the UK but am only going on other peoples experiences as this was my first.

The hospital also hold maternity classes and run a maternity yoga class which I really enjoyed (and now miss!).

All in all a great experience (apart from the pain obviously!)

Katie

[Sallyh]

that's really great to hear Katie!!! The setup at Womens and Childrens sounds good, and I think if someone is hospital minded that would be a very good choice. There are some other midwife led schemes (at least I know of one in the North suburbs anyway) and also birth centres well worth considering - you're right, that would end up transferring to Womens and Childrens if a prob, but IME there is less likely to be a prob if someone is relaxed in a friendly environment.

The other thing to consider is not only the birth but what happens after. I cant believe there is still a culture of 'take the baby away to the nursery just after they have been born here...' again more likely in the obstetric led private system - and of course that brings with it feeding and attachment issues. They are also more likely to bottle feed the baby without your knowledge or much say in the matter - may not worry some but anyone hoping to breastfeed needs to be extremely wary and very forthright about that one. Wherever anyone has a baby, there is a lot to be said for "thanks for my baby, we're off home now..."

[Allybinoz42]

I had my baby at the WCH, whilst my sister in Manchester had her's at the same time on the NHS. They were comparable I think.

I went public, a number of my Australian friends went private, there is some snob factor attached there I think!!
My care was good, everything free against fees for scans/obs etc on top of health insurance if private.
Cons I think the only down sides were that you will be lucky to get into midwives clinic as very popular, therefore can end up waiting a long time for your appt at WCH.
You share a room with one other, my sister shared with four on NHS. Private here is mostly guaranteed own room.

Pros - public - anethestist always present, doctor always present. Privately - on call after certain time.
Mid wife care in public hospital very good.
Specialist care for baby on hand if needed publicly.
Likelyhood of c-sec higher privately.