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Hi Shani
I don;t really have answers for you, but just thought I'd let you know of my experience of having a baby in Oz.
I had my first child in Perth in 2003 and I found the health system great. I used a local hospital, rather than in the city, and the nurses and midwifes were wonderful, and plentyiful!.
I'd see the obstertrician at his surgery one week, then alternate between him and the midwives at the hospital. I must admit I don't think I saw the same midwife twice, but my obstertrician was always the same guy, and this didn't cause me any problems.
I was induced as was overdue by 15 days, and unfortunately had to have an emergency c-section (can't spell the other word, he he!). I found the care to be top class, the midwife sat and held my hand whilst in the last stages of labour and my obstertrician came to deliver the baby, before they decided it was too risky and I had to go in for an op.
It seems there that the Doctor's listen to the midwives and value their opinion, which in my view is great as they know exactly what they are doing!
I stayed in for 5 days and was looked after so well I was dreading going home! There were only 5 other mums in the hospital, so I basically had one to one care. They'd come in to look after my son the first few nights when he was crying so that I could get some sleep and were very thorough when testing to see why we'd both had a fever during labour.
Obviously I don't have anything to compare it to as I've not had a baby in the UK, but my sister-in-law had a c-section here and I was so surprised to see that they'd made her get up and go the loo 3 hours after having the op! I got told off for getting up on my own and having a shower on the 2nd day!!
Alot of people did say, however, that Doctor's there tend to give c-sections at the drop of a hat (due to money and law suits etc), but not sure how true that was. There was a justified reason for my c-section.
Sorry post so long, I can't help but ramble on and on!!!
Good luck with your move and your family!
Sam xxx
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