most important decision...made at high speed

[Geneva]

Am I the only due-in-Feb mumma who hasn't booked the hospital yet? All I hear is "book the minute you know you're pregnant!", and I'd love to, but with work, and nausea and terrible fatigue and running around to doctors appointments, when is there time?? I'm very stressed about this.

Feeling panicked today I got an OB's name from my GP. He can see me on Friday (someone cancelled an appt). He thinks that if we do the paperwork immediately to book me into the hospital where he delivers (Prince of Wales Private, Sydney), then I might just grab one of the last spots available for next February. I looked at its website. Seems nice. He seemed nice on the phone. That's all I've got to go on so far. I read a bunch of "Public or private?" articles but they didn't help me decide. They're so generic.

This is a commitment to spend thousands of dollars, but it feels like you've got to take what you can in Sydney. Maybe I'll feel comfortable enough to go public next time, but I've got this gut feeling that says it's not right for me now.

Did any of you much-more-organised ladies (especially the Sydney ones) feel like I do before you made your booking? Was it an easy decision? How did you make it? :confused:

~ G

[Cin]

Hi G

No you are not the only one who hasnt booked into the hosp. I havent and the doc said not to until about 20 weeks but i guess that is living in the country and going public as there isnt any private.

I had 2 publics to choose from and i chose the smaller one.

Sorry i cant help you more

[Duchessa]

I haven't yet booked in, though I did book in to the only birth centre within cooee (4 hours away) but probably won't be using it. We are also in the country and have the choice of 3 birthing hospitals, all about 2-3 hours drive from home in different directions.

More than likely I'll find an independent midwife and rent a house where we can birth.

Do some more research on public/private comparisons - I know I would avoid a private hospital like the plague unless I had a special relationship with an ob who only worked in one. Their caesar rates are much higher than public in general, so you can find your birth choices compromised.

Good luck with it all.