Seeking an obstetrician

[Jacks Mummy]

I live in the werribee area but have heard a bad report of the few that reside in this area. What I would like to know is if there is any obstetricians in this area that go to the footscray hospital or even if they see in another area that is close to here.

[laura and brae]

hey jack's mummy my names laura im 23 and live in yarraville, i have to kids olivia 2 1/2 and connor 11 months, i went to dr calandra, he is great he has a bit of a dry sense of humor but if you can see past that he is great he brought both my kids into this world, it does cost $300 to see him which you do get money back from medicare. dr calandra is in hoppers and deliver's bubby's at werribee mercy,
well i hope of helped you a bit
laura

[Jacks Mummy]

Actually, sorry to say this but he is one I wish to avoid. I would prefer to that the doctor be female, (husbands preference). I hear so much mixed reviews about calandra that I would rather avoid him.

[katiemaree]

I just found out I am pregnant. It wasn't really planned, but it is definitely wanted. The only problem is that my health insurance doesn't cover pregnancy. What can i do???
I was quite happy to pay $3000 for an OB of my choice, but can I do that now since my private health insurance doesn't cover me for pregnancy.

Not really sure how it works.


Suddenly worried,
Katie:no:

[Jacks Mummy]

Is it just the current package that your on that they dont cover pregnancy under or is it them entirely. Because if thats the case you might be able to up your cover.

[Crazy Monkey]

Jacks Mummy - You can't actually have your bubs at Western Hospital in Footscray, they don't have obstetric services... If you don't want to go to Werribee, there is Sunshine Hospital but I'm not sure of any obstercians...

I went to Werribee and saw Dr Sahhar (he's another male) but didn't have a problem with him and I delivered at Werribee - great hospital...

You could always ring the hospital you choose and ask them for a list of obstetricans... But you might find that a lot of the public hospitals have midwife care and you don't actually have all vists with the dr.

KatieMaree - I'm pretty sure you can still go to private hospital without insurance but you'll be up for a lot of money... Best thing is to ring the hospital you are looking at going to and ask what there policy is...

Just one bit of advice, don't go private in a public hospital because you wont get treated any differently than a public patient and you will have to pay... I work in a public hospital...

Good luck ladies and congratulations on your pregnancies... I hope I have been of some help...

[jorey]

I just found out I am pregnant. It wasn't really planned, but it is definitely wanted. The only problem is that my health insurance doesn't cover pregnancy. What can i do???
I was quite happy to pay $3000 for an OB of my choice, but can I do that now since my private health insurance doesn't cover me for pregnancy.

Not really sure how it works.


Suddenly worried,
Katie:no:

Private health insurance doesn't cover your ob cost. It is used to cover the hospitals cost. And the hospital cost is the expensive part like the delivery suite, the room etc, so the $3000 you're willing to pay would be only enough for the OB. I have private health insurance and I went private with my birth last year. I paid for my ob and only got some money back from Medicare then all the hospital expenses (I think it was around $8000) were covered by Medibank Private with a co-payment of $280. I would not go private if I'm not covered by my insurance. Do you really need to go private? Have you considered going public? Or have you talked to your private health insurer? All the best to your pregnancy. Hope it helps!:)

[Jacks Mummy]

Thank you crazy, I found that out yesterday when I did a ring around. I found the person who I spoke to at Sunshine hospital was rather rude. I am now going to St john of god at geelong and have found a obstetrician who will see me at geelong. Husband and I discussed all of it after I found out that footscray doesnt do births, and felt that it would be easier to go to geelong than the city, where you could get held up in bad traffic etc, plus I freak out with trams.

Thank you guys for your help.

[Crazy Monkey]

Glad I was able to help... And all the best with the pregnancy...