North Shore Private or Mater private?

[kimt74]

anyone who has recently had their babies in either of these hospitals? I can't decide which one to book into. And if you had Dr Michael Van Der Griend as your OB Gyn, how was your over all experiance with him? Or Dr Adrian Kwok?
Thank you

[jorey]

Hi, I went to Mater Private to have my first, so I have nothing to compare to. However, I was happy with the service and facilities in the hospital. I had my ds in nursery every night because he was not settled and I needed rest. My husband stayed with me the whole time I was there. I had problem breastfeeding and I was guided by a very nice midwife. They also had no problem giving ds formula for top up either:thumbsup:. The room and food were great! The only thing that really annoyed me was the different opinions from different midwives, but I'm sure you get it everywhere else. Overall, I enjoyed my stay and will definitely go back again if I'm pregnant again!:)

[mimcal]

I recently had to make this decision for myself. After talking to some of my friends who are nurses and have worked at both hospitals I chose the Mater (this was also the 'unofficial' preference of my gp).

As for obs - I have heard that Adrian Kwok is excellent but haven't heard much about your other one.

HTH

[Lil07]

I know this may sound really ignorant but can anyone tell me what kind of $$$ you're up for to have your baby at Mater?

I have private cover with NRMA health but trying to work out how much I'll actually need to fork out to go private.

My heart is set on Mater but have had a few people tell me that they'd prefer to save the money and go public.

[mimcal]

If your health fund covers it then the hospital itself shouldn't cost much (mine doesn't cost anything). It's the ob and (if necessary) the anaesthetist which cost the money. Each of these is different and have their own schedule of fees which they will provide you with if you book with them. As I said I don't pay anything for the Mater so providing I don't need any anaesthesia I will be out of pocket about $3000 total for my ob. We decided it was worth it to have consistency of care and to go to the hospital we wanted.

HTH

[Lil07]

Cheers Mimcal! Thanks heaps for your help.

[GeorgiaAnne]

:wave: I've heard from a middie who used to be at NSP that Dr Van der Griend is great but is quite pro c-sect and Dr Kwok is great. I'm hoping to book with Dr Kwok next time as I want a VBAC.

[OscarTheGrouch]

Dr Van der Griend is from what I've heard very c-section orientated. I had both of my babies at NSP. The first time I loved it, the second time I couldn't wait to get home. The staffing levels certainly needed to improve.

[RTCsMum]

Hi I had my three at the Mater and with Adrian Kwok. I cannot say how great my experiences with both were. The Mater was fantastic each time and Adrian is the most wonderful OB, caring, informative and highly professional. Good luck with your decision and your baby.

[Friendly]

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[OscarTheGrouch]

I had my daughter 2 months ago at The Mater (NTH SYD) and had the most wonderful experience, excellent hospital, great staff and even the food is yummy!! I had Dr R Baber and what for sure recommend him.

All the best for your pregnancy !
Yep, I've heard that he's excellent. I think he delivers all of the celebrity babies.

[oscarsmilkbar]

hiya!
I have Dr Baber and can't rate him highly enough...he is fantabulous!
I had DS at NSP and will have this bub there too.
The care and the hospital itself was 5 star. I have just had 2 x 4 night stays with a few complications prior to the impending birth and the middies and staff were sooo good to me...without a bub!

Mater is just as good - most OB's that deliver at NSP do so at the Mater...sometimes it comes down to which hospy you can get into, and OB for that matter.

Only real difference is that NSP is a newer hospy - age wise.....much of a muchness really.

There will always be negative and positive experiences at every hospital - private and public. It's like Syd verses Melbourne sometimes between those two hospys!!

good luck.

[Scarlett_Jasper_Rafferty]

I had both my 2 at RNSP with Dr Stephen Morris,...love him,..love RNSP,...:thumbsup:

[AshleeClaire07]

We loved Stephen Morris as well! He is such a fantastic OB and was sooo calm and reassuring during labour... definitely go with him for our 2nd..:thumbsup:

And NSP was great for us.. pretty much like a hotel.. but I hear Mater is like that too! For us, NSP was closer..

[Scarlett_Jasper_Rafferty]

Yay Jenni! I am planning on having no#3 just so that I can see Stephen again!:D :laughing:

[AshleeClaire07]

scarlett_jasper -maybe we should start a fan-club? hehehe... :laughing:
He was just fabulous tho - do not regret a single cent spent!

[Mumma Mia]

I delivered at North Shore Private. I have pos and negs about both hospitals and I think it is luck of the draw. I have seen Michael van der Griend for all four of my NATURAl births. He is fabulous. I could not recommend anyone better. He will go along with what ever you want -and that's what's important. If you want a caesar he will talk to you about it. But if you want natural he will do that. He is a great obstetrician.

[Friendly]

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[Scarlett_Jasper_Rafferty]

And Jenni,...how divine are his offices! :laughing: lovely,...

[DianeS]

Hi

I had my daughter (first baby) at the Mater in late July and it was fantastic. Yes there are lots of midwives and lots of opinions but that will be the case for any hospital I think. We paid just the excess on our hospital policy ($500) but if you have a no-excess policy then it won't cost you a cent.

The OB fee etc is all claimable through medicare and you have the safety net kicking in after you are $1000 out of pocket so it doesn't cost you so much after all that.

I had Dr Steven Tan and he was excellent, really friendly and inspired full confidence from us. One of my friends has had Dr Kwok for both her babies and has been really happy.

Good luck!