Do c/sections cost?

[crzymumof2]

:wave: Have moved over from N.Z. Have had no luck with doctors up here in Port Hedland, am still waiting for medicare card. Am moving to Perth so baby will need to be born there by c/section. Does this cost? do I need to book it in myself or does the doctor do this, how do I go about getting a midwife?
Am a bit confused and stressed as had a really great midwife back home and two previous c/sections that went fine. Help!

[bootiful]

best way to start the ball rolling is to get your GP to refer you to a hospital in Perth, or just ring one yourself and they will tell you the procedure, but im pretty sure you need a referal first.

As for the cost of a c/s i would not have a clue. I know its covered by Medicare, not sure if you need a card to claim right now. You would have to talk to the hospital bout that too.

[crzymumof2]

Have been to three different doctors up here that I don't need a referal, but when called the local midwifes at hospital was told that by law I have to have one to see them. One doctor even told me that I didn't need to see a midwife at all as was having a c/section. Think I will just phone a Perth Hospital. Do all hospitals in Perth do c/sections? Does anyone no?

[tootiredtosleep]

I had an elective caesar at a public hospy for DD2. I just called and told them I was pregnant... they made me an appointment with a midwife (more to get my history/details etc, pretty much just booking in) I told her I was having a caesar ... (already had one with DD1)
Anyway, she eventually said OK (after asking if I wanted to "try" a VBAC!) and made me an appointment for the clinic to see the doctors.

From there I just saw a doctor every month or so.

I'm in NSW, but I imagine it is the same everywhere. Call your local public hospital and tell them you are pregnant... Yes, you will probably need to see a midwife first who will take your history. I would just tell them that you have already had 2 caesars and want another. If they give you grief, just say that you want to discuss it further the head OB.

I imagine that any major hospital that delivers babies would need to be set up for caesars.

Once you have that medicare card (or at least the number/a letter from them) it shouldn't cost you anything. I only paid for one ultrasound and got most back.

ETA: I just noticed this was in private health insurance.. I was thinking of having my caesear public and transfering to a private hospy.. thats where it starts to cost alot and you need referals. My public experience was fine - i went home on day 4.

[katieinwa]

best get your medicare sorted out ASAP! as you are ex-NZ permanent resident and now a permanent resident in AUS then you are eligible as soon as you enter the country to live. if you needed treatment in a public hospital then you will need to show your passport until you are allocated a medicare number. if you do need to go to public hospital and you dont have your card number, the hospital can ring medicare and all they can do is be told YAY or NAY if you are eligable (it can take up to 21 days for your card to arrive in the post).
from what i know, you have to have a referral letter from a GP to get accepted into a public hospital...if you are high risk at all you will most likely get referred to KEMH..

[crzymumof2]

Thanks for all your help. Had to have previous c/sections back in nz due to complications so was told I have no choice this time. Medicare card shouldn't take to long, my parntner has a medicare number as previously lived over here so can get put on his card. Was just surprised when told by doctor that I didn't need a midwife and didn't even need regular check ups because I was having a c/section. Hopefully Perth doctors are a bit more helpfull.
Thanks

[Chickadee]

My c-section in Perth, for my first birth, was under private hospital cover so might be different than medicare. But if it helps, here's how it was organised:

- GP referral to an obstetrician
- OB care through pregnancy for checkups and standard tests, ultrasounds, diabetes, etc
- OB booked me into private hospital for birth
- OB delivered DD by c-section.
- My costs, due to being private care & hospital, were the OB fee, + anaestesiologist and his meds in hospital. Public care through medicare is usually lower cost.

came about as follows