[gemgirl]

I'm almost 25 weeks pregnant and on Friday, got a call from the CATCH (midwife) program at Canberra Hospital saying a spot was now available for me. Initially I'd got a spot at the birth centre, but they kicked me out when they discovered my high blood pressure. Because I wanted continuity of care, I decided to book in with an OB and go private (John James) after being kicked out. I didn't expect CATCH would offer me a spot so late in the game.

I've only met my OB once, though have another appointment this week and then monthly appointments leading to fortnightly etc. A few reasons I opted for private:

* I have PHI
* I have high blood pressure and could require a csection
* I am overweight and 'over age' (ie. late 30s)
* It's an IVF baby and my FS strongly recommended I go private, even though he doesn't deliver anymore.

So I went private and haven't second guessed it. Part of me doesn't love that I have to spend money on giving birth, but I like the idea of the care the OB will give me etc.

So when CATCH rung me, I nearly said 'no', but instead asked for the weekend to think it over. CATCH will offer continuity of care, just like the OB, but with a midwife. They can do csections/ epidurals (all the stuff the birth centre won't do, which was why I was kicked out). And the bonus? No cost, as it's all public.

Any perspectives on this?

This post has been edited by gemgirl: 08/12/2012, 04:10 PM

[His Boy Elroy]

And the bonus? No cost, as it's all private.

I'd be VERY surprised, shocked even, if this was the case......

I'd go private in any event......

[MrsShine]

You're generally right about midwife program's being no cost - but in my experience, all the ones in Sydney I know of are run out of birth centres and heavily discourage epidurals and pain relief of any type.

I don't know any midwife program's that do do c-sections?

I could be wrong, but if its a high risk pregnancy personally I would stick with an OB, yes yours costs will be more but midwives will generally be more touchy feely and if it gets too tricky you'll be handled by the OB on duty at the time in the public hospital - which isn't really continuity of care.

If it was a straight forward birth without the IVF, late age & high blood pressure I'd say go for it but its your choice.

P.S I'm surprised you haven't had to pay the full pg management fee to your OB yet, I though it was usually due at 20 weeks.

[Harmonica]

I'd go CATCH - I really liked having midwifery care with only an OB for key appointments.

[~Sorceress~]

If you originally intended to use the birth centre, I'm thinking a natural birth is your first preference? If so, your odds of having a natural delivery are higher in the public system.

Private obstetrician's fees are only worth it if you have a better chance of the outcome you want IMO . I really wanted a homebirth with our last two births but ended up feeling that the $5000 would be better spent on their education further down the track so used the birthcentre .

I don't know much about the CATCH program, but having a midwife through the birth centre was really great .

[gemgirl]

You're generally right about midwife program's being no cost - but in my experience, all the ones in Sydney I know of are run out of birth centres and heavily discourage epidurals and pain relief of any type.

I don't know any midwife program's that do do c-sections?

P.S I'm surprised you haven't had to pay the full pg management fee to your OB yet, I though it was usually due at 20 weeks.

In Canberra, there are 2 midwife programs through the public hospital. The Birth Centre (no epidurals etc) and CATCH. CATCH is the same model, with one midwife looking after you, but has pain relief etc. Then there's just normal birthing in the public hospital, which means you get whoever is no duty.

I didn't meet with the OB til after 20 weeks for the first time (as I saw my fertility specialist up to that point, then he handed me over). But apparently the management fee is due at 32 weeks?

[gemgirl]

I'd be VERY surprised, shocked even, if this was the case......

I'd go private in any event......

Apologies - should read no cost as it's all public

[fooiesmum]

Hi - I'm a high BMI mum, I'm not aware of the CATCH program in Canberra, but before dropping the OB/PHI option, I'd triple check that you are able to participate in the CATCH program.

AC, high BMI, high BP are all things that are classified as "high risk" which will often preclude you from a midwife led continuity of care program.

If they will accept you with the above mentioned conditions and you where initially looking to do midwife led care then I'd give it a go. Good luck - HTH

[Shhhh]

I am with the CATCH program and have a high risk twin pregnancy. My midwife is lovely and answer any question I have even if I don't have an appointment. I just txt her and she will call me back. Plus I see the OB every week and she comes to them as well.

If you want to know more happy to answer.

[gemgirl]

Yes. On the phone, she said CATCH do "high risk" pregnancies. The birth centre doesn't.