Arriving early may and just found out we are expecting again

[richcaz]

Hi,

 

Our flights are booked and we arrive 6th May, but we have literally just found out we are expecting our second child and now need to know what Maternity care I will get or if even entiltled to any as we have not lived in Australia for 2 years?

 

Does anybody know, did this happen to you? Please if anyone could give us advice on what we will need to do as would like to be well prepared when we get there for what we will need to do.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Rich & Caz

[Guest Paula H]

I don't know but....

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS XXXX

[Selah]

If you are coming as a permanent resident then you will be covered under medicare. If you are on 457 with private insurance I wouldn't think it wouldn't be covered under most plans as it will be pre-existing condition and usually maternity not covered for at least 1 year.

 

Liz

[richcaz]

Thanks Paula H, its a rather scary thought but exciting!! xxxx

 

Liz, I will have to double check with my husband but as far as I can remember we are coming on an perm state sponsored 176 and understand we get Medicare in which case I shouldn't have anything to worry about as I will be 12 weeks 2 weeks after we arrive and over here they are not willing to scan me at 10 weeks :-( just to give me peace of mind!

 

I've tried looking on sites to get more inform but its tough, but looking forward to bringing my children up in Australia!!

 

Carylin

[Selah]

Thanks Paula H, its a rather scary thought but exciting!! xxxx

 

Liz, I will have to double check with my husband but as far as I can remember we are coming on an perm state sponsored 176 and understand we get Medicare in which case I shouldn't have anything to worry about as I will be 12 weeks 2 weeks after we arrive and over here they are not willing to scan me at 10 weeks :-( just to give me peace of mind!

 

I've tried looking on sites to get more inform but its tough, but looking forward to bringing my children up in Australia!!

 

Carylin

 

You shall be fine as a permanent resident. My sister in law was pregnant within weeks of arrival and had great care and a free emergency csection when the time came. The only thing that seemed different was not as much post birth support as we are used to in UK but never the less good. Best wishes on your new Aussie citizen!

 

Liz

[richcaz]

Thank you Liz that has taken the weight off and I'm not used to great postcare here so sure I'll be fine out there its the rest I'd rather get better of this time!Thank you we can't wait!Xx

[Guest pizzicarella]

Congratulations on the expected arrival!

 

Since you are covered by medicare it will be easy for you to get care here. You would be best to get a letter from your UK doctor - as you would anyway, I guess - confirming the pregnancy and due date, maybe with a recommendation for referral to an obstetrician. We have a number of different ways to receive pre-natal care but a gp should be able to refer you on to the appropriate services.

 

Basically though - you can have shared care with your GP and a midwife, midwife only, or you can see an obstetrician. If you are really set on seeing an obstetrician you may need to go private as the public obstetricians will often only see high risk pregnancies. (For private obgyns you also have more choice in which hospital or birth centre to have the baby in... The calvary is a really nice hospital and they have a great maternity ward.). If you are super high risk you will be referred to a perinatologist - if this is through the hospital it should be completely free.

 

Brian Peat at the women's and children's is wonderful, and he takes on private and public patients (I think?). I have also heard good things about Dr. Antonas, who delivers at BWMH and the Calvary.

 

essentialbaby.com.au has state by state forums, so if you join you should be able to find out about people who have had kids recently and who they think is best etc.

[foxychick]

if you know the area you will be settling in, it might be worth contacting the nearest hospital now, to try and get booked in to the system, assuming you are going public. I didn't even bother going to the Dr's here till 12 weeks and then struggled to get appointments on schedule at the hosptial in the early days, as it was pretty full. If you want the nuchal fold scan, the timing is pretty exact and whilst scans are quick to get, it may pay to have a referral ready if you can manage it?

 

I would say the public system might be best, as when I was around 19 weeks, I was also told it would be difficult to get a private obstetrician to take me on at that stage. Public care was excellent, free and I would recommend. I was on a temp visa at the time, the UK has a reciprocal agreement with Aus for necessary care. I went to Flinders Medical Centre. as mentioned, post delivery, there is practically no support at home like you may have experienced in the UK.

[victoria l]

Id suggesting seeing a GP as soon as you get here and they will talk to you about public or private: obstetrician , shared care or midwife care- birthing unit , and then they will arrange a referral for you. If you get organised soon after you arrive you should be able to get into your nearest public hospital or have a good choice of private obstetricians

This is the link to the website for the main "Womens and Childrens hospital" in the centre of the city

http://www.wch.sa.gov.au/services/az/divisions/wab/obstetrics/

There are also several other public hospitals that do obstetrics in North-Lyell-McEwin Hospital; west- The Queen Elizabeth , and south - Flinders Medical Centre, amoung others. Services are fairly similar. Many good private hospitals but even with private insurance still fairly large bills for you to pay on top. Ive had children in both private and public hospitals here and both were good, Im sure you will get things sorted quickly and easily.

Good ante-natal aqua-aerobics and exercises classes etc, some held in gyms with childcare ; and wonderful mothers groups for afterwards- great way to meet some new people when you get here

[Guest SusieOR]

CONGRATULATIONS... you will be fine and there is some good care here... do you know what area you are planning to settle in??? I agree with Victoria, go see a GP as soon as you arrive & they will refer you to where you need to go...

 

Sx

[richcaz]

Thank you ladies for all your comments.

 

I have had a scan here early to confirm dates and will be arriving just shy of 11 weeks and have every intention of getting see as quickly as possible in order to start the care process and try and keep in time with appointments required etc.

 

Will look out for ante natal classes to join as would be good for both Jacob and myself to get socialising, his great fun but conversation is often one sided lol plus would like to keep him micing with other children as he is a social butterfly!

 

We are looking at Mt Barker and surrounding areas so need to work out which is nearest hospital and if possible for me to start ball rolling etc.

 

its getting so close now and still lots to do!!

 

xx

[victoria l]

Hi

 

Sounds great

 

Its not too far from Mount Barker into the city to the Womens and Childrens Hospital, but in Mt Barker several of the GPs do obstetrics at the local small hospital so you may have lots of good choices. Dr Veronica Paull, Mt Barker /Balhannah Medical Centres is very good and hopefully still doing GP obstetrics.

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[TD]9 Hutchinson Street Mt Barker and 88 Main Road Balhannah[/TD]

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[TD]Phone number[/TD]

[TD]08 8391 0699 and 08 9388 4366[/TD]

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