Pregnancy in Australia

[sandcastles]

Am 4 weeks, so very early days. Seeing Dr tomorrow. Am taking Folic Acid too.

What is the process?
Are the scans etc at same time as UK?
Do you see a midwife throughout the pregnancy?
Is it surgery based for midwife appointments?

I had pre eclampsia with dd, so I assume I'll be more closely monitored, as Iw ould be in the UK?

Any thoughts from anywhere?

I haven't had any of my kids here so can't help with your questions, just wanted to say Congratulations!

Thank you!

Let's see, if you're going private you'll need to find a doc asap, might already be too late for some! If you're going public you can choose to have shared care (see your normal doc for check ups and go to hospital to see midwives/doc for certain appointments but not that often) or go to the hospital for all appointments. Basically see your gp and tell him/her what you want to do, s/he will fax the hospital and organise your first scan (12 wks) then the hospital will take over if you're going through them only and will tell you everything. if you want a natural birth, ring the hospital asap and ask to be in a birthing group (can't remember what they're called but you give birth in the birthing suite) and you'll see the same group of midwives every time and they will also be at the delivery.

Thanks Lispy. I am seeing Dr tomorrow & will be going public.

I think it might be easier to see dr where I can, as hospital a bit of a drive.

Not sure on birth options at mo, had a C-section last time, so will discuss with GP.

oh sandy - woo hoo - congrats!!!

I guess you would be.

I know with the dds - saw GP - she referred me to the local hospital ( had both mine public)

Then we had a booking in appt around 12 weeks or so - had mine a little earlier with dd3 as I wanted a nuchal translucency screening. They take your history and decide your care plan.

here in QLD - shared care - most appts with Gp and major ones at hospital, birthing unit - all midwife - but in your case - pre eclampsia would rule you out of that here in Brissy, or full hospital care - see midwives at hospital and consultant. You may find with your hospital they will determine that you are 'high risk' and so you would see a consultant each antenatal appt. As you suspect I imagine you would be more closely monitored.

hth

Hi Sandcastles. Firstly...congratulations!!!
Ok a bit of background from me, I moved back to Oz in May when I was 13wks preg. I have a 3yo DD, had her in a (scummy) East London hospital on the NHS - midwife led system!

Here in Melb I went and saw GP when we arrived. She refered me to an Obs/Gyn nearby. We don't have privated health cover so it is all on medicare. I have had to pay $300 for my care with Obs/Gyn but I have been able to claim a portion of that back.

I had to call the hospital to book in with them and was given a tour of the ward etc which was great. All run by midwives but deliveries are done by the Obs/Gyn.

So far what I have seen the service I am getting is equal to private in the UK. I have been pretty happy with it. I am now 38wks and ready to pop!!

I guess what you need to do is write out any questions you have and quiz your GP at your appointment. Do you know any other Mums locally (you are in Adelaide aren't you??) who you could ask for hospital or doctor recommendations?

Will you qualify for the baby bonus?? I am certainly looking forward to it and have most of it spent already!!
Anyway good luck and keep us updated!!

That does help, Eids...thanks.

I guess I don't mind having whatever care I need, so if I can't do shared or one of the other, then so be it. I guess the right care is more important that whether I have to travel or not.

Good job I'll have my license soon!

THe public system is great. as i've said before, if you have any concerns, write them down and go through them at each appointment. Congrats by the way!

Will do, Lipsy..have a list already!