Previous Experience at Westmead/Baulkham Hills

[araghvani]

Hi there,

We are expecting on Dec 2, and confused between the choices between private or public health care. We have told to get a private OB, so that you have someone on hand through the whole 9 months who knows you. We will be paying for this personally, as we signed up for health care in Jan this year :(.

We are considering whether we should pay for a private delivery too at Baulkham Hills or go public at westmead. We live in Acacia Gardens (not far from castle hill) and would be willing to spend the money if the difference made sense to do so.

we hear horror stories of people having another couple on the delivery suite, or being sent home after 48 hours etc, and would really like some feedback.

Thanks all!

Anita

[Baby Girl]

Hi Anita,

I am due in about 6 weeks and am booked into Westmead public. We have gone through the public system the whole way and I am less than impressed with the system for appointments at the hospital, but if you have your own OB then you won't have to deal with that side of it. I am also quite happy to be "kicked out" after 48 hours. I was so happy to get out of the hospital with my first that the midwives who were in the maternity ward were trying to get me to stay until the afternoon. (I had my own OB who was happy for me to go but stayed public at Randwick, we had our own room and everyone was great).

I am going for a tour of the delivery suites at Westmead on Sunday and will most likely be using them a few weeks later, so I can let you know how it goes. I would recommend that before you book in anywhere you go and do the tour. I am not sure if Baulkham Hills run tours but I am sure if you contact them and tell them you would like to have a look around and get some info they wouldn't be too unhappy about it.

One of the reasons we chose Westmead was its closeness to the children's hospital. Peace of mind I guess. Have you also considered Westmead private. They aren't as big as Baulkham Hills but are so close to Westmead public and the childrens hospital that they have plenty of resources if needed.

Good Luck.

[araghvani]

Thanks so much for you advice. Please let me know how everything goes.

Good luck with your delivery.

Speak soon

Anita

[nkenward]

Hi Anita,

Congrats on your up and coming pregnancy. I am currently 11 weeks and due at the end of October. It certainly is a tough choice between private and public, but from my experience and what i have heard from a relative and a friend that just gave birth there isn't much difference except for a having a private OB.

My husband & I have chosen to go public. We are attending a new public hospital that opened last month and totally midwife operated (however you have a choice of whether you want to have an outside dr/ob.) Under the public system we have all our appointments with a midwife and we see the hospital's Ob on 3 visits, and of course if there is any issue then they would direct you further.

We then will spend 48 hours in the maternity ward which is absolutely fabulous - it looks like a motel room with your own fridge, couch, shower etc. You then go home, especially if you have just had a normal birth, and a midwife will then visit you at home 3 times as will a community nurse. This is all covered under the public system.

A private system I suppose you have more options, but I am not sure what else you need - unless you are of a higher risk catergory - then it may need to be considered.

Anyway each to their own I suppose. Good luck with what ever you choose. :)

[LyndalT]

Hi,

I am due on the 28th of May.. not long now.
I have gone through the AVID program at westmead public. when i went for my first visit at the university clinic i was told by the lady at the desk that it would be busy every time I go there and that I could be waiting up to 2 hours. The nice midwife that i met gave me the option of meeting 1 midwife in the delivery suite (this is the AVID Program) or i could come and sit and wait each time and see a different midwife.. which would you prefer!

I know the AVID program is excellent and i do not EVER have to wait. Which was good when I was still working, but if you go into labor and my midwife I have been seeing all along is not working, she wont be there to deliver.. but with the clinic visits you get to meet alot of midwifes so you may have already met the one that is delivering your baby.. but there are so many midwifes there, you never know your luck!

I asked my midwife last week (Lesley) why they dont give women the option in the clinic any more, as I am her last AVID patient.. she didnt know, she said there is no communication between the 2 departments. 'spose its like any organisation!!

so if you are thinking of having your baby at westmead public and you are going for your first 12 weeks clinic visit.. ask for the AVID option. I highly recommend it.

good luck
Lyn

[Grace3]

Dear Araghvani,

Just a very quick response as my little boy has just woken up.

Congratualtions on your pregnany. I am aslo pregnant and due early August.

I had my first son at the Hills Private Baulkham Hills and WOULD NOT change a thing. My OB and the staff there were FANTASTIC (except maybe one or two nurses but you get that everywhere). I still go there for my clinic appointments. I get the best support. I could not praise them enough.

If you want to check out the OB that I go to just send me a private message and I will send you his details and approx how much I am being charged. He has rooms at The Hills, Sands, Blacktown. I heard of him by word of mouth. My husband and I trust him 100% with any decision, basically I trust him with my life and the life of our unborn child should anything happen.

As for Westmead Private, all of the mums from my mothers group were not impressed with the staff or support. My OBs midwife worked there to help out another OB and she said she would never work there again unless they improved the level of care towards the mums. But a lot could have changed in the last two years

All the best with your decision, It's not any easy one choosing an OB.
:p
Chontel
Nathan 14 months