Help! Brisbane Private Hospital and Obstetrician Needed.

[PilbaraMum]

Hey Girls,

I have recently found out that I am 5 weeks preganant with my first bub :smiliedance:

I am SO confused about what to do next.

I am currently living in regional Western Australia and our local hospital does not permit births. So this means that I have to leave town at least 4 weeks prior to my due date. At this stage, I am thinking of venturing back to the 'homeland' Brisbane for the birth.

I am not entirely sure how this will work. As it is my first baby I am still learning about all of the tests, scans and appointments.

This is where I am looking for some help!

Can anyone tell me......

1. How do I find a Obstetrician in Brisbane when I don't actually live there? I will be coming over a couple of times in the next month.

2. What is the best private hospital in Brisbane?

3. Generally, how many appointments do you have with an Obstetrician during a normal pregnancy?

I'd been really interested in hearing from other Country women how have done this before.

Thanks in advance for your help :flowerz:

[rubymay]

HI,

I wasn't living in Brisbane until I was 30 weeks. I would HIGHLY recommend going to the Mater Private. It is the biggest teaching hospital in Brisbane - best facilities if something (heres hoping NOT) goes wrong. Great facilities.

I went through the Arrivals and had Vince Lo as my obs. They were fine with me not going to them as per the normal schedule. They are a team of obs (6) and if for some reason your obs is not available one of the others will deliver the baby. Great service and friendly staff. Amy Mellor delivered my daughter and would consider going to her for next baby purely because she is female. Their midwives are also great.

Would also HIGHLY recommend Tony Prado for paediatrician. He has his offices at the Mater too.

Do some research into all - these are just my recommendations. I had a very positive experience and felt I could trust my doctors, nursing staff the entire stay.

I think it is from you visit the obs once monthly and then from 30 its fortnightly? Then 36 weeks weekly? Can't quite remember but again - Dr Lo had no issue with me not travelling to see him every visit. In saying this I had a verý ''text book''pregnancy and was visiting my gp as per the normal schedule.

Goodluck!

[Thermolicious]

Mater Hospital Birth Statistics (http://www.mybirth.com.au/birth-stats/provider_details.php?id=65)

I have a friend living halfway between Kalgoorlie and Perth who is travelling to Perth to give birth, she is a hubber, not sure if she will pop her head in here though so I will link her :)

Personally I would go where you are going to get support, if your family/friends are in Brisbane and they are supportive then it seems like a good choice.

[breebee]

Definitely Mater Private :thumbsup:
They have the best facilities and a really great bunch of ob's deliver there! I'm seeing Bronwen Byrne, she's fantastic and I feel 100% safe and secure in her care, as well as the Mater!

Good luck whatever you choose :)

[bless0610]

Hi I have heard that Northwest Private Hospital is also very good - several of my friends recommend it. Good luck!

[PilbaraMum]

It's amazing the differance that a week and a couple of phone calls can make!

I am now booked in with Dr Doug Keeping and will have my little bub at Mater Private, South Brisbane.

He's happy for me to miss consults (as I'll only be flying to Brisbane every couple of months) and I'll use a local Obst to do my routine stuff. I'll fly over from WA about 5-6 weeks before my due date.

I am wrapped because it means that I can share the experience with my Sister and Mum and do some shopping in Brissie before the little one arrives!

Thanks for your advice ladies :)