Hi! Has anybody requested an elective c-section through Cairns Base without a medical reason? I had a traumatic labour and also now have a prolapse as a result. I’m afraid of another labour making things way worse. Would love to hear anybody’s experiences as I weigh up the cost of Private health vs going through public before I try for bub number 2. Thanks xx
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I didn’t go through that hospital, I had “elective” in the private system however it was medically necessary (but in Private you call the shots).
Obstetrician fee was $5000, scans and appointments along the way with some extra tests etc. I was out of pocket all up $7500. Also includes anaesthetist, paediatrician and excess on my health insurance.
This pregnancy, fees are much less and obstetrician is $2500, few scans and appointments along the way and will be about $4500 out of pocket after anaesthetist, paediatrician and excess.
If you don’t have private health insurance then take into account you’ll also have to pay the hospital fees for your stay which when I got the bill I would have been out of pocket approx $17k which is ridiculously high but my hubby got to stay, his meals were provided, we got a queen bed and private en-suite etc. - generally in private you stay 5-6 days after a c-section.
You could look into hiring a private obstetrician who operates out of the public system and see what your options are.. just they can’t “reserve” a theatre I believe for electives in public :/
I reckon I had this same thought. Do you have private health insurance? My 1st birth was terrible I had another through public and it was fantastic midwife lead care. I think you would be paying through the eye to have an elective cesarean without a medical need. Have you consulted with a GP or gyno to see if a Cesarean is medically needed in your circumstance? If your prepared to splash the cash what about a doulas or hiring a midwife to see you through pregnancy and the birth, they could possibly advocate your needs during labour. I dont think it is as simple as a Cesar will fix a previous traumatic birth. Or even if it's possible to simply elect for one. Even get a consult with a midwife lead care service to help your fears before conceiving.
Not sure if Cairns is different but I had an elective in Townsville Base for my second. I was an outpatient (had to travel at 36weeks because we live remote.)
We were going to go private only because I didn’t realise you could opt for elective in a public hospital without a medical issue.
They did book me in the day before my due date and went into labour a week before. They did tell me if this happened that it would be classed as an emergency c section only because it wasn’t booked in.
Midwives and doctors were great. Less paperwork and we didn’t have to pay anything, which I was dreading the final bill if we went private.