aconcannon Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I wondered if anybody could share any personal experiences about being pregnant / giving birth in Australia compared to the UK... Are the services & support available comparable to the UK or noticeably different? Really interested to hear some people's thoughts & wether anyone has a preference? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1 Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I had my children here. One was on life support for months and airlifted from the outback to the city. My opinion? God Bless Australia. I don't think my child would have survived in the UK. The hospital and specialist staff were incredible and I still think of them often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aconcannon Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 What a lovely story! I'm so pleased to hear that all went well and it sounds like the staff did a suburb job! I know in the UK most new mums aren't even expected to stay a full 24 hours, where as I've heard in Australia they are a bit more old school and keen to keep you in / support you for a little longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1 Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 What a lovely story! I'm so pleased to hear that all went well and it sounds like the staff did a suburb job! I know in the UK most new mums aren't even expected to stay a full 24 hours, where as I've heard in Australia they are a bit more old school and keen to keep you in / support you for a little longer. There was a lot of support, I was even asked if I would like to stay a little longer with my first child. There was no rush and though in a public hosptial, the rooms were all single. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aconcannon Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Oh that is much better having your own room, it's such a shame we are not able to offer that in UK public hospital. Are any costs involved for having your baby in a public hospital? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1 Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Oh that is much better having your own room, it's such a shame we are not able to offer that in UK public hospital. Are any costs involved for having your baby in a public hospital? None at all. There were some costs for scan and blood work during pregnancy, but I received that back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aconcannon Posted August 18, 2014 Author Share Posted August 18, 2014 Fabulous! That is very reassuring! Thanks for the Info, it's been really helpful...and reassuring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I'm currently pregnant and going through the public system. It seems different states vary quite a lot. Some people end up paying hundreds for scans as there are no bulk billing places near them, and you only get a set amount back. I haven't paid a penny though. My hospital has the normal midwife/dr lead bit where you stay for up to four days after. I'm going through a totally midwife run group where they try to keep everything as natural as possible. They kick you out between 6-12 hours (all being well) but visit you at home lots which they don't do with the other one. Also, I have the same midwife for all my appointments which you don't get in the normal one. I've been pretty pleased with the care, but can't compare it to the uk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 No personal experience as I'm an old un now!:laugh: But I have a two week old Granddaughter and my Daughter was looked after extremely well. She had postpartum pre eclampsia so she had to stay in 3 days.Couldn't fault her care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Another grandmother here with grand kids in both countries - doesn't look that much different from where I stand. Both daughters in law were very pleased with the care they received, both went through the public system (the Aus one had to pay for her first as she wanted a home delivery but went to the local birthing centre for the second). I think the follow up care at home for the UK one is probably better than the Aus one with home visits compared to no home visits AFAIK. With my own kids aeons ago - the UK consultant was an old cow with a personality problem and I was a clinical piece of meat (but she did a good job getting DS1 out!) so we had private health insurance for the Aussie one so I could choose a woman with a nice personality. In the end it didn't matter, DS2 arrived before she did. I doubt there here will be that much to choose between them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasanjavied1 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 did the australian public system was funded by government or did u paid any thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiegirlbay Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 If you are a citizen or PR holder you don't have to pay anything, it's all been taken care by Medicare for Public hospital. Aussie Girl Bay did the australian public system was funded by government or did u paid any thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiegirlbay Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I had a great pregnancy/birth experience in one of the Australian Public Hospital, everybody was simply professional. I am so grateful to all the midwives, doctor for being so supportive throughout...I don't think I could have a normal delivery without their care/support, after birth care was particularly great, no rush at all, they made sure I was well trained for breastfeeding. All the midwives are still in touch with us and often come to visit my lil' one Good Luck!! Aussie Girl Bay I wondered if anybody could share any personal experiences about being pregnant / giving birth in Australia compared to the UK... Are the services & support available comparable to the UK or noticeably different? Really interested to hear some people's thoughts & wether anyone has a preference? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 If you are a citizen or PR holder you don't have to pay anything, it's all been taken care by Medicare for Public hospital. Aussie Girl Bay Not in all areas. Some areas you have to pay for dating, nt scans and occasionally morphology scans. Some people have to pay for the nt blood test and many people have to pay for the anti natal classes. If you choose shared care and your gp doesn't bulk bill then there is that too. It does seem to be totally down to individual hospitals. There are plants of pregnancy forums out there where you can find out about the one you are going to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I had to pay a gap fee for all scans - two of which I chose to have done at a specialist clinic (though most women wouldn't need those). I think I would have had to pay something towards NT scan if I'd had it, but I know I would've been eligible for Medicare contribution because of my age. I had a great experience, despite developing gestational diabetes, and received free specialist, multi-disciplinary care - I even got to see the same obstetrician for every appointment apart from the ones where she was on holiday! There were a couple of minor problems with the baby when he was born, and he received excellent care in the Special Care Nursery. I had to have a C-section and the whole experience was very positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessiejam Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi, six months ago I had my third baby in kemh in Perth. One of the most wonderful experiences of my life. Couldn't compare it to Ireland. It was inspiring. I'm actually hoping to go on to study midwifery now. I am on a 457. Had to pay for bloods and scan, about $200 and nothing else. I was public, but had my own room in kemh. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Simpsons Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi I had both my sons in a public hospital in Sydney. Had a C section both times & ended up in intensive care first time round then 6 weeks in hospital with pre eclampsia with the second who was then born premature & was in hospital for the first 6 weeks of life. The hospital was amazing and I have no complaints and never paid a cent for anything. Also found the Early Childhood Centres invaluable with having no family around as support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest km75 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I had my first son in Manly in Australia in 2006, public, very good care, stayed in for three nights I think - they even sent me out on a date night! All my scans and bloods were bulk billed, didn't cost anything. I had my second son in Melrose in Scotland in 2008, again, public, and again very good care - both were very similar (though both had no complications) nothing between the two really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahelle Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I had my baby here almost exactly a year ago and I had my care through the midwives only. Even though I didn't have the same one every time, they were all so lovely and professional. I only had to pay for one scan and one other one through choice because I wanted a 3D scan for my 20 week one. The only problem I had was that because I was 11 days overdue, they didn't have any birthing rooms available so I had to do my entire labour on a ward which wasn't that pleasant but apart from that it was all really good. I'm in Redcliffe Qld btw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasanjavied1 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Well that's seems to be a good story to listen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Do people really believe everything should be free ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Do people really believe everything should be free ? I think they do, yes. I've never met so many folk as intent on finding bulk billing doctors as new Pom migrants! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Do people really believe everything should be free ? The problem with Australia is that is isn't a set price. Some people pay nothing, some have to pay for blood tests and scans. The scans can be hundreds of dollars or less than a hundred (or free). From reading pregnancy forums people (mostly Aussies) would be fine with paying if it was a set amount everywhere, and far more importantly, if they are told how much before hand. Many people are shocked when they suddenly get a bill come through when nobody had mentioned charges and other people pay nothing. And that's without taking private health insurance in to account. I (and many Aussies) are shocked at how much people have to pay to have a baby when they have had health insurance for years. Some upto $6500!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I think they do, yes. I've never met so many folk as intent on finding bulk billing doctors as new Pom migrants! Not me. I believe in finding a Doc I like rather than worrying about paying a measly $30 bucks! @parleycross its because everyone " thinks" the NHS is free forgetting the NI payments obviously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucharmily Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 (edited) I wondered if anybody could share any personal experiences about being pregnant / giving birth in Australia compared to the UK... Are the services & support available comparable to the UK or noticeably different? Really interested to hear some people's thoughts & wether anyone has a preference? Thanks. Had my elder 2 in Australia. Went private as had health insurance. Lovely obstetrician who I also had for my first pregnancy (miscarriage). Stayed in 6 days (section for breech), great care. 2nd time same hospital although actually had the baby in the hospital carpark! Again great care all round. 3rd baby was born in the UK, NHS hospital (but only just made it into del suite)! Different system but found the staff very caring. Postnatal ward very busy, I had to stay 48 hours for the baby to be monitored but generally it's a much quicker discharge. I was pretty okay with it being 3rd time but think I might have found a quick discharge a little daunting as a 1st time Mum (and I'm a NICU nurse so know babies)! But found the community midwifery support was a lot better than in Oz. Edited August 22, 2014 by Lucharmily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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