Victorian public system and freaking out!

**melbdad2b** · 12-05-2012 23:40

Hi everyone,
My wife is 21 weeks pregnant, very healthy and looking beautiful !
We are going through the Victorian (Australia) public system and are getting a little lost in terms of what we should be doing.

My wife's GP is looking after her and friends who went through the private system have began asking us what our plans are post delivery.. How long she will be in hospital, are we having a mid wife come to the house and assist us, when we are starting classes etc etc.

Because my wife has been feeling fine we have been a little lax in sorting this all out. Our GP keeps telling us to wait till our 6 nth meeting with the hospitalidwife but I think we should be doing things already..
Some guidance, assistance, hints or tips wouldBVe very much appreciated!!

thanks,
Melbdad2B

**VicPark** · 12-05-2012 23:47

Don't be too panicked. I'm from another state in oz and I assume it's similar in Victoria. I didn't know how many days I'd spend in hospital until i was in hospital. I didn't know about midwife visits at home until I was in hospital. I always assumed the hospital would sort it out and they did. I didnt book parenting classes until about the 6 month mark. Trust your Healthcare professionals they will look after you

**sweetseven** · 13-05-2012 00:03

In the Queensland public system (in my experience at least), that sort of thing generally doesn't get mentioned during the pregnancy. Even after the birth, the length of stay wasn't spelled out at all. And postnatal visits were only mentioned during discharge.

I am of the opinion that a hospital stay of two days is typical for a vaginal birth, and four-five days for a c/s, but other factors might alter that. For example, when I had DD3, they had a shortage of beds and were encouraging people to leave before 24 hours.

Conversely, if you want an early discharge, the minimum is four hours, but that is also dependant upon the availability of specialists to give both mum and bub their discharge checks. Early discharge also entitles you to (in Qld at least) a couple of extra post-natal visits.

**Mezmerised** · 13-05-2012 11:22

Is she booked in to a hospital yet? I would have thought even doing shared care with the GP she would still have the occasional hospital appointment where she can ask these things.
Most maternity units have tours for parents to be as well, where they will be able to tell you the policies of the hospital, normal stay etc. Most public hospitals (as far as I know) the stay is 2 nights for a natural birth and 4 for a c-section. Then there is a midwife visit once or twice once you go home, then the MCHN takes over.
I'm going to Box Hill, so if that's where you are planning on going (not sure where you are in Vic) feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

**nicpic** · 13-05-2012 11:40

You def should be booked in by now, and have seen a midwife and/or doctor at least once, if not twice. I hate GP shared care (I'm a midwife in the Victorian public health system) and in my opinion, GP shared care= lack of information, poor communication between healthcare providers and inaccurate information being given. That's my personal opinion anyway.
Mesmerised- enjoy box hill, it's a great maternity unit (I work there! Lol)
On mat leave in 2 weeks tho