QLD Birth Options

[mummy2pj&bood]

Hi,

Anyone know if there are any options for birthing outside of the Gold Coast Hospital in the area?? I dont have private insurance and I dont think it would cover me now that I am pregnant anyway, toherwise I would get it. What are the gap costs if I go private?? Can I have a home birth if I have Group B Strep?? I know I will need IV antibiotics, could I have this done at home?? Is there a natural birthing centre or somewhere I can have a water birth??

Thanks for your help!!

Ali

[mamafelix]

Hiya

I'm not in QLD, so can't help you with area specifics...
but as far as homebirth and strep B goes- I had a really indepth discussion with my midwife when I was pg with Felix- basically she did not require that I take that test, but if I had decided to do so, and was positive, then I would have needed to have a IV bung in my arm, and go into hospital every 6 hours for AntiB's during my labour.

I don't know if this policy would be the same for an independant midwife in QLD- my homebirth was through a government funded program and has quite strict guidelines that need to be followed.

To find a midwife in your area I'd try the maternity coalition website - www.maternitycoalition.org , or try posting at the natural parenting forums www.forums.naturalparenting.com.au - a lot of the women there are based in QLD and will be able to give you a good run down on the options available in your area.

hth

[mummy2pj&bood]

thanks - i have posted on natural parenting, but your other link doesnt work. anyway, thanks for the info, much appreciated!!

Ali

[mamafelix]

Whoops! sorry that should have been www.maternitycoalition.org.au ....

anyway, I'm sure you'll be bombarded with info at the other site.. hope it helps!

[nick's mum]

Not sure about Gold coast but the Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital - Birth Centre encourage natural births and have bath facilities for labour. The mainstream hospital won't use the baths (even though they do have them - public liability stuff) but the birth centre do have them (I used it for pain relief). There is a ballot to get in there as they have limited numbers of women due each month, so get your name down early. There is another 'birth centre' style of maternity care somewhere in Qld but I'm not sure where. Best of luck for your pregnancy and birth.

[AM]

I live in Brisbane and had a planned homebirth, I got the name of my midwife from homebirth.org.au, and I highly recommend you check out the site, and contact someone to talk with them.
I will go the same road for the next baby, it is such a lovely experience, being able to bond with your midwife over the course of months, and to have her present at one of the peak experiences of your life.

Angie