North West WA Birthing Hospitals

[Wondermum]

I just found out today my local hospital in Newman doesn't deliver here anymore. I was kind of shocked by the news! My eldest sister delivered her two children here 8 and 10 years ago, so I was just expecting all to be the same. Apparently they stopped deliveries here a few years ago due to public liability - no emergencies/ c-sections. So now we're facing the dilemma of where we're going to have this baby.

Just wondering what other's birthing experiences were like with other hospitals in the area? Any info or recommendations, as I'm fairly new to the Pilbara so I don't know where my options lye at the moment?

TIA

[PandP]

Hi again and CONGRATULATIONS!!

I think most people go to Perth. In fact, as it happens, Melo and I had the same obs and hospital.

Some people have babies in Karratha but I did hear on the grapevine that it is getting harder to have bubs there too. I have no idea if that is true or not so probably best to call them if that idea appeals to you. I think some people go to Port Hedland too. I know in TP you have to satisfy certain criteria.

I am sure you will find out more info around town. one thing though, if you decide to go to Perth call obs QUICKLY if you go private. They book up really fast. I can't remember where you moved from ...

Sorry I can't speak from personal experience and all my friends here went to Perth.

BUT congrats again!! I really wish I could have subsequent bubs at the hospital here.

Will let you know if I hear anything else from Mum's. :hugs:

[Wondermum]

Thanks for your reply Heather.

I'd like to go to Perth too but they told me you have to go by 36 weeks, which means I'd have to pay for accommodation until labour commences! I don't have private cover either.

So did you have bubs at TP hospital?

Found a bit of local info while I was doing a bit of searching :eek: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=120746

[M O P]

I am no where near you- or even in WA for that matter
but I had to travel 500km to have my babies and here in SA I was covered by the state govt for most of my travel costs and some accommodation costs so please ask your GP-
they might know of similar schemes in WA-
it most certainly helped us :)

[Wondermum]

Hi Karen, I will most definitely inquire about this with my GP! Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

[Purpose Blessings]

I have a friend who is pregnant in Newman and she said that she does get some financial assistance for travelling for the birth, however i don't get the impression that it covers much of the accomodation costs as she was saying how expensive the trip will be. She was also told that she had to leave town by 36 weeks

[Wondermum]

Oh really, that's interesting to know they offer some sort of assistance here. Do you know where your friend will be going to birth?

[rileysmum_wa]

Hi, I'm not in the Pilbara anymore, but i was living in Karratha when my bub was born. I went to Perth, but i was fully covered since the hospital wasn't alllowing any births. I was told that you can get some assistance for your travel but I'm not sure how muchthey help with accomodation, I stayed with my mum.

I flew down at 37 weeks, but went 12 days over so felt like i was there forever.... I just went to King Eddie as it was all orgainsed through the hospital, but they said that i could organise my own private if i wanted.

Oh and also, if there is any reason why they won't or can't take you at the hospital I'm pretty sure you can get more assistance for costs

Hope this helps
Shell

[Wondermum]

Thanks for your post Shell. It's reassuring to know there is hope for some sort of assistance. I wonder what they will do in my case considering I have no family in Perth or even remotely close??? I'm also one of those mum's who tend to pass their EDD by almost two weeks :hair:

Is King Eddie the main Hospital in Perth?

[clarebear1983]

hi there-i live in WA too and will hve to travel back to perth to have bubs. But i will be in merredin so its a bit closer.


Thanks for your post Shell. It's reassuring to know there is hope for some sort of assistance. I wonder what they will do in my case considering I have no family in Perth or even remotely close??? I'm also one of those mum's who tend to pass their EDD by almost two weeks :hair:

Is King Eddie the main Hospital in Perth?


King Eddie is the main hospital but you might be able to try other public ones. I will be going to Swan Districts Hospital most likely as I had my other two there.


Thanks for your reply Heather.

I'd like to go to Perth too but they told me you have to go by 36 weeks, which means I'd have to pay for accommodation until labour commences! I don't have private cover either.

So did you have bubs at TP hospital?

Found a bit of local info while I was doing a bit of searching :eek: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=120746

To come down, if its medically required, PATS (Patient Assisted Traavel Scheme) can help but normally they will only pay to send you to the closest hospital with the facilities you need. So if its a a birth where you meet the criteria for Port Hedland or Karratha they might not pay for you to come to Perth but its up to them when they are reviewing the application. Maybe book into a perth hospital first then ask them??? :) PATS also sometimes helps with accommodation.

This is the link (hope its ok to place here if not mods can remove it, im not trying to advertise just trying to help someone get some info)

http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/default.asp?documentid=409

GOODLUCK!!!

edt: Karratha does do births as well as c-sections unless you are classified as high risk. BUT I have also told that at any moments notice they might decide not to take you and send you to perth. (Karratha was the other possible place we were moving to so i looked into it a week ago but we got merredin)

[Purpose Blessings]

wondermum - my friend is birthing at St John of God in Subiaco. She has had her other two children there and really likes an Obstetrician there.

As Clarebear said King Eddie is the main public hospital in Perth City but there are a fair few that deliver babies in other areas. I've heard good things about Kaleeya hospital in fremantle.

[Wondermum]

Thanks Clarebear and Rissa!

I called the GP surgery today and made some inquiries about assistance - they had mentioned PATS :yes: also called Port Headland Hospital and they are fully equipped there with anesthetist should any emergency arise. They were able to briefly tell me about their services and also accommodation. Even if I choose to birth at Port Headland (closest) they still require you to be there by 37 weeks! Looks like I'll be taking a holiday (where ever that may be) as well as having a baby lol!

ETA: Rissa I have overheard a few mum's here talking about St John of God in Subiaco and the receptionist at GP's had mentioned Kaleeya hospital as a popular pick for mum's too.

[Melo]

Congrats Jess!!!

I know Tom Price can deliver babies if you are low risk and have had pretty straight forward births before.

For Ava, I went down to Perth because I had family down there. But I had Jacob at Karratha, and it was pretty good. Although i've heard its getting harder to get in there too.

Although even if you choose Perth, Tom Price or Karratha they like you being there from 36 weeks onwards in case you go early.

Would your DHs work provide accommodation over this way? :D

[Melo]

Ava was born at SJOG Subiaco, and thats a private hospital so if you don't have private health insurance it would be costing you a good couple of $1000s for the birth :eek:

[Wondermum]

Thanks Mel! Yeah, I had an inkling SJOB may have been private - no cover for me and not paying for it either!

My previous births have both been straight forward :yes:

Now that's a thought :idea: might have to check with Nath about work accommodation - though there is such a shortage!

[Melo]

:fingerscrossed: When we came over here to have Jacob, we got accommodation through Pilbara Iron, they were pretty good about it :).

[Charmaine2]

Nickol bay is absolutely fantastic! after everything i went through with Kayne i cannot recommend them enough! but it is getting harder to get in now!

[Wondermum]

Thanks for the recommendation Charmaine. Is Nickol Bay near Karratha? Can you tell me a little bit about the ward etc? Did you go through PATS when you had your baby there?

[Charmaine2]

yup nickol bay is the hospital in karratha.

the ward i think is a bit of a mixed ward a fair few single rooms and also 1 or 2 joint rooms.

everyone is so friendly that i have come across and they are very professional and give you the best care they can!

meals are so yummy not your average everyday sloppy hospital food you can hear about!

umm anything else just let me know!

Umm have no clue wat pats is ?

but i live in Wickham so thats where we go to have babies normally