North West Private Hospital

[luv2luv]

NWP is the closest private hospy I am located to and I'm curently researching my options of where I think I'd like to give birth (when the time comes) :)

From what I've heard of NWP, they do alot of cs. Everyone who I've spoken to that has given birth there has ended up with a cs. Would this just be a coincidence?

I'm just wondering if anyone else can help me out with regard to the cs rate. I've heard that of all the hospy in Brisbane and quite possibly QLD they have the highest cs rate.

I personally would be devastated to end up with a cs and for this reason am considering going public in a more natural midwifery program as I know that public will only give a cs if absolutely necessary.

Does anyone else have any good/bad experiences with NWP. Thanks!!

[~Emmylou~]

If you want a natural birth avoid NWP, the Wesley and Sunnybank.

They all have unacceptably high intervention and caesarean rates.

You will no doubt receive responses in this post from people who have had a natural birth at these hospitals - I'm not saying they don't happen...they do. But the high rates of intervention and caesarean at all of them make it more a case of good luck than anything else.

Private hospitals in general have a higher c/s rate than public hospitals and this is absolutely the case in Brisbane.

If you absolutely must go private, the Mater is probably your best bet.

Your choice of obstetrician is important. The private hospitals I mention above have high c/s rates because the obstetricians who work from them do. So you really need to do your research here and ask them the right questions - the first of which should be a very upfront and to the point question about their caesarean rate for low risk pregnancies.

Good luck.

[middi]

Its a good idea that you are researching your options. Particularly your obstetrician at which ever private setting you may choose. Totally agree with Emmy Lou, ask the right questions.

As for c/s rates in Brisbane in public hospitals. You must remember that the tertiary hospitals rates may seem larger than expected, but that can be due to the fact they take high risk pregnancies from other hospitals from all over QLD/ Northern NSW.

Generally public hospitals will give you every chance to birth naturally and a caeser only if medically required, which maybe the case for the health of your baby and yourself. But this can still be the same at private hospitals, depending on your obstetrician and the relationship & understanding of what you would prefer for your birth.

Good Luck!!

[Dancing Girl]

Hi there
I had my son at NWP and had him naturally without any discussion of a cs. The staff were helpful, caring and professional and my obstetrician was great.

There are plenty of OBs at NWP, so I guess it depends on who you want to deal with. I chose Chris Price, who has a really dry sense of humour (which I like) and is pretty straight forward with everything. As he said to me the first time around, 'pregnancy is not an illness!'

Good luck in your choice - we're definitely heading back there for round 2 in June.....

[mashedveg]

Hi Luv2luv

I had my baby at NWP last year and cant speak highly enough about my experience. I was a bit anxious about NWP for the same reason as you.

Basically, whichever hospital you go to, there is no guarantee that your birth will go how you want it to - funnily enough, out of the mums in my playgroup, the two of us who went to North West had natural births and the three or four girls who went public all ended up with emergency c/s.

I think the most important thing is to get an ob recommended by your GP or your friends... you could even call the ob's office and ask their c/s rates (planned and emergency) before you see them. Have a chat to your ob about your feelings on your first visit and if it does not seem like they are supportive of your wishes, find another ob who is ;)

FYI I had Dr Chris Price too... ditto everything Dancing Girl said!

[trishalee81]

I also had my little girl at the northwest private. I had a c section but was going to have a vaginal birth but that the last minute bub became a little distressed so had to go c section. My ob was dr chris price as well and was fantastic!!!!

Personally i think its all about the ob you have and not the hopsital as to wether they are more c section orientated! The hospital is fantastic though and its small with heaps of free parking available day and night. The nurses are good and you get your own private room to. Would defintley go back there for my 2nd child