Questions for Cairns Mummies??

[TeamAwesome]

Hi Ladies:wave:
just a few quick questions?
what are the Bentley park and Edmonton areas like for young families? are there any medical centres with good child and women health nearish to there?

We're currently trying to TTC#3 so... Has anyone had a baby at Cairns Base Hospital? What was your antenatal, labour and maternity ward experiences like? if you left early did the middies come visit you at home? things like that.

Also I've been considering putting my DS in to day care one/two days a week so is there any reccomendations? anywhere that I should definately look at or avoid?(word of mouth on either of these work for me btw)

well thats all I can think of right now but if there are any tips or places to not look at to live or other things you things think I'd like to/need to know I'd really appreciate them!
TIA for your help!
Natalie

[newmum2one]

Hi Natalie
Just a few quick answers to your questions from my POV, if you want any further info, feel free to email/PM me!
Bentley Park & Edmonton: Both are pretty good as far as I know, Ed has some really nice new sections and some not so good sections. BP I don't know much about, but have heard it's pretty good. I love Gordonvale which is about 10 minutes further south, but maybe someone who lives in either of those 2 suburbs can help further.
I had my DS at Cairns Base and cannot fault the staff in birthing/maternity at all. They were all wonderful, and kept me updated on everything. DS was an urgent CS and they kept me in about a week - DS was in for 6 weeks as he was 10 weeks premmie. I have only heard good things about CBH's birthing/maternity. They have classes on before bub's arrive (unless you're like me and he arrives the week before they start :rolleyes: but don't worry, in that situation they give you crash course lol), and good contact with the obs, GPs, everyone. After DS was discharged nurses came to the house for a few weeks until they were satisfied he was feeding properly and gaining weight, then passed us over the Community Health, which you may or may not attend. Because DS was premmie, we have to go about once every 3 months until he is 2, but I think it's open to everyone (maybe one of the other girls can clarify?) If you've got any specific questions for me about my experiences, let me know :). There is a Community Health centre at Edmonton, one in Gordonvale and a couple in Cairns itself.
Don't know much in the way of child care, only long waiting lists apparently. I'm a SAHM so not sure.
As for suburbs to look at, there are good and bad sections of nearly all the suburbs, so can't really blanket them into 'good' and 'bad' suburbs. I personally stay away from the inner suburbs, but only because I'm a country girl at heart. Cairns covers such a large area that no matter what your preference is (beach, quiet, close to things, rural, etc) there should be something that suits.
As I said, any particular things, just PM me. The other girls may be able to add more?
Hope this helps a little.

[TeamAwesome]

Thanks Lauren for your speedy reply!!
Yeah thats the kid of general info I need right now if have anything more specific I might take up your offer!
THanks again!
Natalie

[Kirstlea]

Hi There

I used to live at Edmonton across from Sugarworld and it was fantastic, a nice family area. Mind you things are changing fast in that area since we moved up to Kuranda two years ago. Bently Park is nice in some areas but not all.

Cairns Base was great for all of my births and the follow up was fantastic whilst I was at Edmonton. Also the hospital is only 15 to 20 mins away from Edmonton and Bentley Park.

Southcare Medical Centre is at Edmonton and is great for the family but they don't have a female doctor if that helps. There is also a medical centre at Mt Sheridan which is another nice area for families.

Lauren is right about the daycare centres they all have long waiting lists especially if they are good centres. There are new centres going up all the time so maybe you'll be lucky.

I've really just affirmed what Lauren said.:o

Kirst

[TeamAwesome]

thanks kirsten... you might have reaffirmed it but it was still nice to hear you POV!

[Kylles]

I had my first baby at Cairns Base and cannot fault them at all they were fantastic in every way with the care of both of us! Many of my friends have had theirs at Cairns Base as well and I none of them have commented negatively on their care.

As for locations to live and daycare ... I can't comment on the areas around South Cairns as I have only lived north of the city and I have been gone for a few years now!

Good luck with it... Cairns really is a great place to live and we'll be living back there in 2008..

[TeamAwesome]

thanks aussie_swede!