Understanding your care options and working out what you want in pregnancy can be tricky, especially if you’re in the first trimester and overwhelmed with fatigue and nausea. In this episode I delve into your private maternity care options by exploring the costs of obstetric care in a private hospital and private midwifery care in either a public hospital, birth centre or in your home. Dr Natalie Elphinstone (along with her Practice Manager and husband, Michael) discusses the often complex health insurance rebates while Liz Wilkes, Managing Director at My Midwives, explains all the options and costs of private midwifery care.

Natalie and Michael discuss: 

• obstetric health insurance strict waiting periods
• out of pocket costs of private obstetric care even when you’re insured 
• the varying rebates of the 90 different health insurers in Australia 
• continuity of care as the safest care model for pregnant women 
• postnatal care in the private hospital system 
• What to expect from private obstetric pregnancy appointments

Liz discusses: 

• how a private midwife can support you 
• private midwives in the hospital system
• tailoring costs to suit your needs 
• the benefits of continuity of care for safer pregnancy and birth outcomes
• private midwifery after birth trauma 
• rebates available for antenatal and postnatal care