Your pregnancy journey should be a beautiful and exciting time in your life. However, it can also come with a lot of stress and uncertainty, so it’s important that you feel supported and comfortable with your healthcare provider.
The public system for maternity care in Australia is amazing, however there are certain things that private obstetricians can offer that just aren’t possible in a public hospital.
Ultimately, you should feel empowered to make choices that best suit you and your family.
Here are just a few of the benefits of using a private maternity clinic for your pregnancy and birthing journey.
Continuity of care
One of the best benefits of going through a private clinic is that you can choose the obstetrician who looks after you, and get to know them throughout your pregnancy.
They will be the one you see at your pregnancy checkups, during your labour and delivery, and at your post natal check ups.
For many women, this is very important and reassuring. You know who is looking after you, and you can feel confident that they understand your wishes and birth plan.
With a small team that is more specialised, you are able to build a connection and relationships with your obstetrician and nurses, so that you feel secure and safe.
This has endless benefits for you and your baby, and will often lead to a better overall pregnancy experience for women.
Individualised support
When you have private care from an obstetrician and gynaecologist, they will have time to truly understand your individual health needs.
In the public system you may be seen by a whole range of people who don’t have the time to properly get to know your health history. When you have one primary doctor looking after you, they can truly spend the time getting to know your health concerns and needs.
Every woman is different, and every pregnancy is unique, so this individualised support is so incredibly important and valuable for pregnant women.
You will be able to plan for any elective surgeries or interventions that you want for your pregnancy and labour.
Qualified obstetrician
With a qualified obstetrician and gynaecologist looking after you, they can support you regardless of your birth plan. No matter how you birth, your doctor will be experienced and qualified to perform the necessary procedure.
Your doctor will be able to provide you with up to date information and knowledge which can help you make the best, informed decisions for you and your baby.
This way you can be sure that if something doesn’t go according to your birth plan, your doctor knows the best course of action for you.
This is also a great asset for anyone going through a high risk pregnancy.
With public care, there will often be doctors on hand for any medical interventions, but you may not know the doctor, and they may not know your preferences for these situations.
Private rooms available
When going through private care you will often have access to a private room for your labour, where your partner can also stay overnight with you after birth.
Having a private room for your birth can be very important for many women and families, but with the public health system, you may end up in a shared room.
You may also have a longer stay in hospital if you wish, whereas public rooms will often encourage you to leave much faster.
Private care may have more out of pocket costs up front, some of which can be covered by private health insurance, or partially covered by medicare.
There are many benefits to using a private maternity clinic for your pregnancy care, but ultimately you will know what is best for you and your family.
Dr. Kelvin Larwood is a highly qualified and experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist. He runs private clinics in both Buderim and Noosa, Sunshine Coast. You can learn more about his clinic here.