Public or private obstetrician? in Akld?

Hi

I'm 7 weeks pregnant with no 1 and am going to be referred to an obstetrician. I qualify for public (free) obstetric care but we had been thinking of going private for better continuity of care. But from the enquiries I've made so far it seems you still don't necessarily see the same person all the way through, and will get whoever's available for the birth, plus most of them work in the public system as well, so I'm wondering what the point of spending $4000 is - there doesn't seem to be any great advantage.

Any experience/thoughts/recommendations?

thanks

i'm in auckland and see a private group of OBs (Shore Birth, Albany) - there are 6 in total (5 women, 1 man) - mostly have seen only 2 of them so far, however meeting another 1 next week. I had the option of only seeing one but depending on when you give birth you might see another dr and I feel really comfortable with the 2 I've seen so far that I felt ready to see a different one - although if you need to have a scheduled c-section then you can choose which one of the team performs it which is nice- cost for their care is $3500 (but can pay in installments) and includes after midwife care by their midwife team

i know there are OBs where you see the one OB and then if it's his/her weekend off you see a colleague and that seems to work for some people and not others - a friend is with Derek Souter in Mt Eden, I had him at Auckland Hospital for my amnio and he was lovely and very very good

good luck with your search!

I was with Origins and they were great - as luck would have it the same ob delivered both my kids so I was in a situation where my LMC knew me very well and I had complete trust in him. Wouldn't do it any other way, for us it was $$$ well spent.

I am with the public system. I have a primary midwife and my care is overseen by the doctors. I have my first doctors clinic next week when I have my 20 week scan.

The main difference with public vs private is the continuity of care. I dont get to choose who delivers my baby. I get who ever is on duty at the time. Although in saying that my BF went private and still didn't get her OB because he was on leave!

I think my care through the public system has been great. Very fast, and efficient. I am with ADHB and have all my appointments at the greenlane clinical centre. My midwife is awesome, and the test results have been so quick for everything.

Catie I have had that too ... one of them asked me if I was sure that this was my first ... ummm yeah think I would have noticed if I had had a baby before?!!!!