private v public

I have had the "joy" of using both the private and public hospital system now. Maisie and Talia were both born in Sydney in a private hospital as we had health cover and the funds to cover all the extra costs. Alice and Pippa were born in the public hospital that services our area, as we had moved to the country and there was no maternity in the private hospital here.

The main differences that I can see are:

1. Midwife care during birth - this comes first as its the first thing that we experienced in both hospitals. The biggest thing was in the public hospital, the midwife never left the room unless it was to go and get something. At the private, we felt that we had to go and find them all the time.

2. Pain relief - there was no mention of pain relief in the public hospital unless we asked about it. In the private when we arrived it was one of the first questions that was asked.

2. Meals - private wins this one...

3. Misc Items - everything was provided at the private hospital, nothing was provided at the public - not even a nappy in the delivery suite or something for the babies to wear.

4. Rooms - Even though I had to share a room for two nights in the private, it was only with one other lady and we shared the bathroom between us. At the public I shared a room with one other lady, but a bathroom with 3 other people which was kind of gross. I know space is limited, but when you are walking down the hall and see empty rooms - it makes you kind of mad.

5. Getting home - after what only seems like a few hours in the public hospital you are told to get packing. The private on the other hand felt like I was there for ages and there was no rush to leave ($ thing?)

6. Care after - I feel like the care at the public was a bit rushed, so many people for them to look after, but that could have also been because we were on baby #3 & 4. I remember having a few of the midwives at the private hospital sitting down and really having a good old chat and explaining things quite clearly and having time to do so.

I don’t fault either of them - all 4 births were good and happy experiences for us.