Childbirth and postnatal care in a private hospital

Understanding Pregnancy Care Options in Australia

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make when you find out you’re pregnant is whether to have your baby in the private or public system. There are pros and cons to each, and it pays to do your research on private vs public pregnancy in Australia to make a well-informed decision.

Private maternity care

This is when you use private health insurance to cover some or all of your medical care during pregnancy. With private hospitals you’ll get more choice over things like:

• Your obstetrician

• When you can schedule antenatal appointments and check-ups 

• What type of room you have in the private maternity hospital

Public maternity care

Going through the public system to have your baby means a lot of the costs will be covered by Medicare but you have less choice when it comes to practitioners. The benefits of the public system include:

• Less expenses

• Quick access to high-care teams and equipment that are often located in public hospitals 

What are the Key Differences of Public vs Private Pregnancy at a Glance

What are the factors to consider when making your choice

While cost might be the biggest consideration there are plenty of other factors that can impact your decision on public vs private, too. 

Budget and cost

With public maternity care, your hospital costs and birth are covered by Medicare but you may have to pay for some of the antenatal costs (such as private ultrasounds, NIPT test fees and GP visits).

If you’re using private health cover, you’ll likely have to pay the gap between doctors’ fees and your rebate, hospital excesses and some additional antenatal charges. Costs for all of these services vary state to state.

Private health funds usually also have a one-year waiting period after joining before you can access maternity cover. Plus’ you’ll need to check your policy carefully to see exactly what you can claim and what will be an out-of-pocket expense. 

Baby Bunting tip: If you go public and have a Medicare card, many antenatal and birth costs are covered. Private maternity care can cost several thousand dollars out of pocket depending on your private health policy and medical needs.

Medical needs 

Public hospitals can be better equipped than private hospitals to deal with complex maternity cases or emergency situations, and even if you are at a private hospital for your pregnancy, you may be transferred to a public facility if complications arise. If you’ve previously had maternity complications or have a high risk pregnancy, you may be advised to go to a public hospital for the birth but you can opt to go to a public hospital as a private patient. 

Quick fact: Around 75% of births in Australia take place in public hospitals. That can mean easier access to experienced hospital-based maternity care if unexpected complications arise.

Choice of provider & continuity of care

One of the main benefits of going private is being able to choose your own obstetrician – that may be someone referred to you from your GP or someone you’ve heard good reports about. Choosing your own provider means you’ll have continuity of care throughout your pregnancy – when you opt for the public system, you may not see the same care team on every visit.

Location, location

Whether you go public or private can also be influenced by the location of hospitals in your area, especially if you live outside of a major city. When considering obstetricians, check which hospitals they’re affiliated with. You can also start by looking into the closest hospital to you and the medical providers that work there to decide the best hospital for your pregnancy. 

Birth plan preferences

You may want to have a home birth or you might be set on a water birth in a medical facility. Or you plan to go traditional all the way. Understanding the style of birth you want will also be a factor in whether you go public or private – you’ll need to find the practitioners and locations that offer what you’re after and then look into the payment options.

Amenities and services

Do you want to stay in a private room? Do you like the sound of a birthing suite? Does your partner need a bed for an overnight stay? Factors like these may play a part in helping you decide public versus private. 

Quick fact: Private hospitals may offer private rooms, partner-stay facilities or more flexibility around birth preferences — useful if you want a specific birthing experience or extra comfort for you and your support person.

Pros and cons of private pregnancy care

Here’s your at-a glance guide to having a private hospital birth.

Advantages

• Choice of obstetrician You can select the same specialist for your entire pregnancy. Your appointments are also likely to be longer and less rushed.

• Continuity of care You will see the same care team throughout your pregnancy.

• Convenience You'll have more control over when you schedule antenatal classes and other appointments.

• Private hospital room You’re more likely to get a private room but this isn’t a guarantee.

• Additional services Private hospitals may have additional care options like antenatal classes and lactation consultants as part of the package.

• Partner accommodation There might be the option for your partner to stay overnight more comfortably.

Things to consider

• Higher out-of-pocket expenses The cost of giving birth in a private hospital varies across Australia but generally you’ll need to pay the gap between your health cover and the doctors’ fees, plus the cost of some additional services.

• Higher rates of interventionPrivate maternity clinics have higher rates of caesarian sections. 

• Insurance waiting periods There’s generally a one-year waiting period for pregnancy cover, which may limit options for unplanned pregnancies.

• Private hospitals are not an option for all pregnancies High risk pregnancy patients may still need to go to a public hospital for increased levels of care. 

Pros and cons of public pregnancy care

Here’s your at-a glance guide to public pregnancy care.

Advantages

• Low or no cost Hospital care for labour, birth and your postnatal stay are covered by Medicare.

• Strong emergency support available Public hospitals generally have better access to multidisciplinary teams of doctors and are better equipped for emergency care. 

• Midwifery-led care Some hospitals offer a midwifery-led care model that offers continuity of care, and is a good option for uncomplicated pregnancies. 

Things to consider

• Less choice of clinician Care is provided by midwives and doctors on duty, and you can’t select your obstetrician. 

• No continuity of care You’re likely to see different teams for each appointment.

• Appointment wait time Busy antenatal clinics can run over time, resulting in longer wait times. Appointment flexibility may also be limited. 

• Shared rooms You will likely have to share a room and it will probably feel less premium than a private hospital.

Who are my care providers during pregnancy?

There are three main types of health practitioners you’ll come across during pregnancy and labour:

• Midwives Specialists in pregnancy and birth who support routine care and can identify complications. Read up on the role of midwives in different birth settings to understand how they show up in private vs public.   

• Obstetricians Doctors trained in pregnancy, labour and surgical care. 

• General practitioners Your family doctor who can refer you to specialists.

Check out our range of articles about pregnancy advice for more details of what to expect during the lead up to giving birth.