What was your pregnancy care like at a public hospital?

[growingbelly]

Can someone tell me a bit about how having a baby in a puiblic hospital works?

Soory if this is the wrong section Mods, I just thought people here would be able to tell me about there experience, but please move if need be :))

I had DD in a private hospital and the out of pocket costs were huge. So for future bubs I am thinking about going public but I have a few questions

In public do you have a Ob for appointments how does this work? Who does your checkups?

Also can you chose to have an epidural or do you have to wait? With DD i had a epidural in before i was induced, would this be allowed :confused:

In general what is the experience like with care during pregnancy and labour. I am not worried about the stay afterward as i want out of the hospital ASAP :D

So yeh, can you just fill me in on how your pregnancy and labour went at a public hospital. Because the experience I had at Private combined with the costs make me question wheather it is worth it .
TIA :flowerz:

[little_froglette]

i had the same ob with all my appointments with baby number 1 and also this baby too.
my water's broke and they said 'pain relief what do you want?' i get epiduraial straight away. i loved the public hospital and i had such a good labour. AND a private room the whole time i was there. My sis went private and she says she won't do it again. i loved it.

[Lil Bugs Mummy]

I went public and it was the best had my own room and midwives would definately do it again i checked it all out first though i never paid anything outta pocket

[Cicho]

I went public and cannot speak highly enough of the care I was given by the Midwives..

I did not do shared care, I had all my checkups at the hospy clinic, and sure sometimes they were running late, but mostly on time :yes:

They were very thorough and always asked if I had any questions :)

I also had a room and bathroom to myself (I was in a double room but the other bed was empty) :yelclap:

[2made3]

I've been public and private and I am def going public 3rd time around :D.

For me, the only difference was the COST!!! Public we didn't have to pay for anything. I had an epidural when I went public no probs - didn't have to wait or anything.

I did shared care with my GP when I went public. And had OB check-ups at the major intervals during pregnancy.

I think public is great if you have low risk pregnancies :thumbsup:.

[rarmalb]

I saw an private Ob for all of my pregnancy, but I had the birth at a public hospital.

My labour experience was very positive. The midwives I had at the birth were wonderful and I felt supported at all times. The doctor on duty at the time wasn't that great (had no people skills), but I only saw her a couple of times, as the midwives did the majority of the care.
I didn't have an epidural, but I used the bath and gas, and at all times I felt that my choices were been supported
I was in hospital for a few days after the birth, and had to share a room with 3 other mums. Sounds pretty awful, but I actually didn't mind it as much as I thought I would- I was given privacy while trying to establish BF, and I was always able to speak to a nurse/midwife when required. I also had no issues sharing facilities (toilets etc) as I found they were clean and maintained really well.

oh, and I didn't choose the public hospital based on cost, I chose it because I have hard great things about it from other family members and friends.

[mybabyandew]

I went to a public hospital, the care was amazing and i dont think you could find better midwives then what i had they were so helpful.

[crazymuma]

I had both my children in public hospital.

The midwifes were all great but I didn't get to see a doctor very much.

With my first I saw a midwife every 4 weeks until 28 weeks then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks then every week until birth.

I think I had maybe 2 appointments with a doctor the whole time (and this was only because I refused the glucose test and they wanted the doctor to talk me into it).

The second I saw a doctor only once and that was after the scan said I had a low lying placenta.

Both births I had 1 midwife throughout - didn't see a doctor at all.

I think the pain releif depends on where you are and what midwife you get.
With my first I asked for pethadine and she refused (which I am gled for now) but she gave me gas right at the end. Apparently this midwife doesn't beleive in giving pain releif through labour

With my second I was offered pethadine and refused - same as the gas.
However I know many ladies that had epidurals at the same hospital.

I think the worst thing was sharing a room with 4 other ladies after. With my son I got a private room but not with my daughter. Was really noisy with 4 women - 5 babies and a million visitors for everyone (one lady had 5 other kids that ran around like crazy). I certainly got out of there as quick as possible.

To be honest with my experience with the public system I don't see why anyone would go private (I would if there were health concerns or having a c/s)

[SmileyBJ]

I checked out our public and private hospitals when pregnant and chose private.

Our public hospital was horrible, unclean, very secretive and hard to pry information out of, all appointments were with an midwife or nurse, they were completely against my want for a natural birth and there were 4 woman and 4 infants in the size of a single room with no particians. For me the extra cost of going private was well worth it knowing that I also had other medical concerns.

[Mum of Midgeys]

Growing Belly - I had my DD over in Perth at KEMH (we're in Brisbane now). I have to say, the experience was faultless, and I felt very safe and looked after under their care.

I had Hypertension from 26 weeks, and mild Pre-Eclampsia from 30 weeks. Bubs was also on the smaller side. You have option of care methods there. I chose a 'midwifery team', but was moved to the 'Dr's team' due to the high-risk pregnancy. I always saw either one of two wonderful doctors, and both bubs and I were carefully monitored a couple of times a week, due to the PE. The nurses in the assessment unit were always great also. Even when I was put in overnight to get steriods for bubs lungs as the PE had jumped a bit, I was given a private room (also after I had DD) and was seen by both my doctors together.

Because bubs became growth restricted at 37weeks due, I was induced. They also advised an epidural due to the high BP. I was induced to start off with, with the Foley's Cathedar, then the epi was given (so I really wasn't having any serious sort of contractions at that stage anyway). Resulted in a natural birth, and every midwife that I went through (was in there for 30 hours, lol) was really great, communicative and supportive.

ETA - just as an afterthought re: costs. I had to have about 10 scans to monitor bubs growth at the end of my pregnancy, and all were free (most came with happy-snaps, hehe)

I wish I could give birth there again tbh, as I was so happy with everything.

Hope that helps!

[MooMum]

I had DS at KEMH and was incredibly happy with the care I got from the very first appointment. So much so that I'm going back there this time round. You can either see the midwives or see an ob. You are allocated a specific clinic day and although you have to wait it's generally not for long. I see the same ob every time (occasionally you get a different one but hey were all wonderful) so you get to build up a good relationship with them. When I had DS though it was midies who delivered him. An ob came for the last stage as DS needed help but they were all fantastic. However the ob who I had been seeing came to visit me after I'd had DS to see how we were and what we'd had!! I got an epidural when I asked for it. Going back this time I have come across one of the ob's I saw last time and amazingly she remembered me and specifics of my medical history!

I had a private room and bathroom, lovely. The after care as far as physio's, the breast feeding center and follow up medical care was just fantastic.

Obviously I can't speak highly enough of the whole hospital and all of the allied health team!

Good luck :flowerz:

[BabelFish]

I cannot speak highly enough of the care I received at the public hospital in Perth at KEMH. To start with, I have top private health insurance and worked for many years at one of the top private hospitals in Perth, and you couldn't have paid me to have my baby there. So that was one thing. Second thing was that I had a high risk pregnancy so was recommended to go to the Women & Children's hospital anyway, which is public.

My antenatal care was awesome, saw a GP and a midwife at every visit (the doctor only because of my risk status - otherwise it would have been a midwife). No OB needed at any point until the delivery because bub sucked herself back up and went transverse at last minute, so I needed an assisted delivery. Was induced and got an epidural as soon as I asked for it.

Aftercare was amazing. Because of my traumatic birth I was in ICU for a night and then spent nine days in hospital after that. My risk factor was because of psych illness prior to pregnancy so was at significantly increased risk of PND. The care I got blew me away. Have never once felt so safe and nurtured and looked after in the private system. Had daily visits from doctors and paeds, and the midwives were wonderful, strong, encouraging and supportive (for the vast majority of my time there). They helped me with all my breastfeeding issues and after I went home because of my PND risk I was visited at home every three days by a psych nurse for two weeks, and then weekly after that for a month. I saw my public psychiatrist every two weeks and am still seeing him every few months. He was responsible for a) making sure my PND was controlled and treated the second it was recognised and b) helped me so much with some of my early parenting insecurities.

I am the first person at their special clinic to be having a second baby with their team, and I already feel like I'm being treated like a queen. I called one of the midwives who looked after me with DD - she knew who I was, remembered DD's name and DP's name and asked me when I was coming in again :eek: When I told her I was pregnant again she was thrilled, made an early appointment to see me and then rang a few days later to ask how I was.

I'm also part of a nationwide study on the effects of my drugs in pregnancy and have been treated with nothing but care and respect from the researchers over that as well.

So, compared to my many private hospital experiences, if you asked me to choose again I would go public any day of the week and twice on Sundays. They are amazing.

[Amara]

I gave birth in a public hospital & can't complain at all. As long as you are prepared to share the room, shower & toilet you will be fine (and sometimes you don't even have to do that). I never had to wait to use the loo or the shower & everything was nice & clean. The food was great too & I'm mega fussy.

Call the hospital you are thinking about going to & ask them about epidurals because some public ones are generous & others are not. I always expected to have an epidural when I gave birth but found out at the 2nd hospital appointment that my hospital only did them as a last resort - only when they felt you needed it - and only after you'd tried every other drug option first. I used gas & peth & got through it all & never once even thought about getting an epidural even though it was a long and painful labour.

I had a private OB for appointments only as I wanted the same person to monitor me throughout (due to age, but really it was not necessary) as I would've got different middy's each time as my hospital was a large one. I was just charged a fee for each visit & most of it was claimable on medicare.

I had to pay for all my scans & then claim them through medicare as my hospital did not provide any.

The middy's were great at the labour & so was the on duty OB who helped my bub out into the world. It did not matter that I'd only met him a couple of hours before the birth.

I also had superb after care when I got an unexpected 5 day stay due to a sick bub.... 3 nights in a 2 bed ward & 2 nights in a bonding room attached to SCN. My son was seen by several paeds & we didn't pay a cent for any of it.

If I was to give birth again I'd go public at the same hospital again. I'd probably do shared care though as the OB was really not necessary (although made life easy while I was workking as his offices were more convenient than the hospital was). The only reason I'd do shared care as against just seeing the middys is a convenience thing - the parking is not that great at the hospital & you can have to park quite a distance - whereas the local doctor's surgery is nice and close and has great parking.

[BabelFish]

Oh yeah! The food. Oooooooh my goodness. I could have eaten ten tonnes of it - it was SO good. It would suck if you had to share a room but luckily so far I've never met anyone who has had to - what a bummer for you Amara. Still, you sound happy with your experience altogether.

[lochiebearsmum]

I had DS at a public hospital i rang to tell them i was in labour they said you cant have baby today as we have no room! anyway he wasnt waiting so got there and was left in waiting room till i was 8cm dialated.... finally got into a room... still had blood in bathroom from previous birth.... when he was born i tore and they needed a dr to stich me up waited 4 hrs for him to come and was so swollen by then they said they couldnt give pain relief so felt every stitch more painful than the birth.... all done with no pain relief... so if ever again its private all the way.... not to mention the midwife that spoke on her mobile phone to her daughter wanting her to find a phone number whilst i was in the middle of pushing

[MooMum]

I had DS at a public hospital i rang to tell them i was in labour they said you cant have baby today as we have no room! anyway he wasnt waiting so got there and was left in waiting room till i was 8cm dialated.... finally got into a room... still had blood in bathroom from previous birth.... when he was born i tore and they needed a dr to stich me up waited 4 hrs for him to come and was so swollen by then they said they couldnt give pain relief so felt every stitch more painful than the birth.... all done with no pain relief... so if ever again its private all the way.... not to mention the midwife that spoke on her mobile phone to her daughter wanting her to find a phone number whilst i was in the middle of pushing

I am so sorry you had this experience. Not to take anything away from you but I really hope it was a one off, there are still no excuses and they should be terribly ashamed of the way you were treated. I COMPLETELY understand you wanting to go private next time. I hope any future births are much more positive experiences for you. :hugs::hugs:

[growingbelly]

thanks for the info ladies.

I had DD at a private hospital and they tried to kill me because they were too busy and short staffed. they were short staffed so my middie went to do a c section and another one was supposed to monitor me and she topped my epidural up with the normal stuff (morphine based) which i have a annaphalaytic allergy too. she was too busy to read my chart at all :no: Not at all happy. And then to top it off they were to busy to check me regularly and only realised that DD was half way out when her heart rate dropped. She sort of fell out and my Dr only made it in time to stich me up (and i still had to pay his $900 delivery fee :rolleyes:)

So this time arround I am thinking I will probably get better care in the public system (given the experiences most of you have had) plus I wont be short about $5000!

Thanks so much ladies the info has been invaluable :hugs:

[BabelFish]

I had DS at a public hospital i rang to tell them i was in labour they said you cant have baby today as we have no room! anyway he wasnt waiting so got there and was left in waiting room till i was 8cm dialated.... finally got into a room... still had blood in bathroom from previous birth.... when he was born i tore and they needed a dr to stich me up waited 4 hrs for him to come and was so swollen by then they said they couldnt give pain relief so felt every stitch more painful than the birth.... all done with no pain relief... so if ever again its private all the way.... not to mention the midwife that spoke on her mobile phone to her daughter wanting her to find a phone number whilst i was in the middle of pushing
That is AWFUL you POOR THING! I would be furious too, jeepers I can't believe it.

I don't know if it's a reflection on the public/private system - more likely that particular hospital that you went to. At the private hospital I work at we often turn patients away because of bed shortages, and the public hospital I gave birth at, we were told it wouldn't matter if they never had a bed, that you could have your baby there regardless, and if they didn't have room you'd go to one of the hospitals nearby (public or private) that did, free of charge.

That's just such an awful experience - I feel for you, what a terrible way to have your first labour. Oh it made me want to cry for you!

[cja]

Just wanted to add that with my first bub in a private hospital it cost quite a bit. Second bub in same private hospital...we had no out of pocket expenses besides a $100 hospital admission co payment. This was because I did shared care at local country public hospital and then went to big city private hospital to deliver.

[Adelaides Mum]

I had DD in a public Hospital (Monash - Melbourne) and high risk also because of my weight. Overall the way they dealt with baby was fantastic, Kidney problems were discovered at my second ultrasound and since that day all ultra sounds and monitoring were free of charge and they made sure they had constant contact with me and monitored our progress.

The treatment of me as a HUMAN was much less desirable and i found a percentage of the doctors to be shockingly rude (mostly young female doctors to be more precise)
Although on the day my DD was born, by CSect I had the most wonderful doctor who made me feel so much better about my VERY long 9 months. So i think maybe i just had the "bad docs on the bad days"

Recovery in the hospital for 5 days and my own private room, midwives were lovely.

I will go private again, if i can ever get the courage to fall pregnant again. :(