Interested in home birth, hospital birth or private midwifery care? Questions or comments? Email Melissa Maimann or call 0400 418 448.
I am often asked what the difference is between the private and public options for pregnancy and birth.
Both options enable women to access midwifery care or obstetric care and both options enable women to birth at home or in hospital. So you might be wondering what the difference is for the woman going through each system.
Private care generally affords women:
- Choice of care provider
- Choice of place of birth – home, hospital, public or private hospitals
- Greater comfort and a more personalised service
Public care options often mean:
- a midwife or obstetrician will be assigned to you; you will not be able to choose your care provider
- Choice of place of birth is limited. Homebirth is only an option at a minority of hospitals and women generally have to go to the pubic hospital that is closest to their home
- Services cater more to the immediate physical needs with little appreciation for the emotional and mental journey of pregnancy and birth.
- Services are standardised by hospital policies. The same policies will apply to all women birthing at that hospital with little scope for movement.
The good news about private midwifery services is that after November 1 this year, families will be able to claim Medicare benefits for the care that is received from a private midwife. This rebate will significantly bring down the prices for private midwifery care, making it an affordable option for women wanting to birth in hospital with a private midwife, or at home.
Melissa Maimann, Essential Birth Consulting 0400 418 448