New in Sydney - Mater Hospital Info???

[Nathaly]

Hello everyone,

Just arrived in Australia and am 9 weeks pregnant. Don't know where to have my baby. Had a tour of the RPA yesterday, a real baby factory... I would like something more personal and intimate, I've heard about Mater. Does anyone recommend it? Could anyone also recommand a female obstetrician working with them? Do you know how much it would cost and if any of it is refunded by Medicare (I have no private insurance) :confused: Thank you for your help and sorry if my English is strange, I'm French:o

[O&GMUM]

my sister had her baby at the mater about 10 years ago and it was lovely then!! Not sure about now though sorry!

[Pixie]

The only place I can recomend is where I am going and that is the Royal Womens hospital in Randwick...They have two options for you to choose from a delivery unit where everything is there for you DR's nurses, pain relief etc..or a birth centre where it's all natural..which is midwife care only which is the option I have gone for.

You can organise to look around I am sure.

welcome to sydney :)

[addictedtobabe]

Mater was fantastic, the midwives were all great and the help with lactation was invaluable. Food was better than I expected and there was plenty of it...the snack trolley wheels around!

I had a male ob who was great, don't know any female ones, sorry..

[Nathaly]

Who was your mail OB, please? Do you have any idea of costing...

[addictedtobabe]

Dr Adrian Kwok 99577780...fantastic, laid back quite young from Hong Kong...it was our first baby and we knew nothing about pregnancy...he explained all options to us but didn't pressurise us into doing or not doing anything. He lives close to the Mater so popped in and out the Sunday I was in labour.

Cost we were covered by private health as we don't have medicare and had to pay him $3000 to cover what wasn't covered by the fund...sorry not sure what costs are...give them a call and ask...the receptionist is lovely too!

[addictedtobabe]

forgot to say..my hubby is fluent French speaker...we live on North shore, so if you are near by and need any help with anything let us know...

[Nathaly]

That is so lovely of you to offer! I live in Lane Cove!
How old is your baby?
How was your birth experience?

[aprilbaby]

Hi Nathaly,

I'm booked in to the Mater in April and from what I've seen and heard I am very happy with my choice. My friend had her baby there a few weeks ago and said it was like a 5 star hotel. She was extremely happy with everything from the widwives to the food to the non hospital type atmosphere, and she has high standards so I know it will be good!

I have a female OBGYN, her name is Emma O'Shea and she's based in St Leonards. She is lovley. If you call the Mater to book in they'll give you a list of their OBGYN's or you can get it from their website. Make sure you call and book one early because they book up really fast.

I'm also private, so i only know that situation, but they cover everything to do with the hospital and medicare covers about half of the doctors bill (approx $3000). If you don't have private insurance I think you'll have to pay all the costs for the Mater, which would be very expensive, but you're best to call and ask them. It's very confusing trying to work out all the bills and costs, even for us with English as a first language, I promise! You're probably best to go into Medicare with a friend and have them explain it all to you in person, that way you can ask questions.

Hope that helps, good luck! xx

[Peaceangels]

Hi & welcome to bubhub Nathaly!:)

Sorry I don't know about Mater Hospital, I am from the other side of Sydney and gave birth in hospitals in my area, I hope you find the information you are looking for.

Look forward to chatting with you more.

[Fairyfloss]

Hello Nathaly congratulations on your Pregnancy and welcome to bubhub, Ia msorry I am not from sydney but I am sure you will have lots of fun and great advice in here :)

[scorpio19]

Nathaly, hope everything has gone well for you so far. Which OB did you go ahead with eventually? Has he/she been good? I've just found myself pregnant and am in a similar situation of trying to find a good OB. I will be moving to Lane Cove next week:)

E:smiliedance: