My wife had her first ultrasound on 27th of September when she was still on her 12th week. It was our first glimpse of our second child and we felt excited and happy knowing that everything seems well. Our baby was taken photos of each body part to make sure each one of them has developed well at that stage.
Prior to her ultrasound, we went to see our GP(General Practitioner) a couple of times for check ups and recommendations. That is how it works in Australia. We don't have a private health insurance as we don't see the need to have one. Different migrants may have different opinion on this. For us, one of the best benefit of Australians is the Medicare. We are entitled to a free health care. Everything might not be free like ultrasound and some screenings but the bigger part or what you will more often do like seeing your doctor and undergoing some more important tests can be done without paying anything. All we have to do is show our Medicare card and that's it.
Prior to her ultrasound, we went to see our GP(General Practitioner) a couple of times for check ups and recommendations. That is how it works in Australia. We don't have a private health insurance as we don't see the need to have one. Different migrants may have different opinion on this. For us, one of the best benefit of Australians is the Medicare. We are entitled to a free health care. Everything might not be free like ultrasound and some screenings but the bigger part or what you will more often do like seeing your doctor and undergoing some more important tests can be done without paying anything. All we have to do is show our Medicare card and that's it.
The advantage of having private insurance in relation to maternity is you can get to see a specialist, in this case an OB-Gyne if you want to. Since Medicare is government paid, seeing an OB-Gyne and a mid wife shall be booked by the respective clinics you will need to go to. Booking date will be made known to you after about a week or two from the date the GP's recommendations has been received by them. In my wife's case, she's set to see her midwife and OB-Gyne on 31st October and 27th November, respectively.
Schedules may seem to be uncomfortable for some especially for first time mothers but just to make everyone at ease, we got our GP whom we could see anytime a problem comes up. In situations which they can't handle anymore, then they will give recommendation to see an Ob-Gyne urgently. So far and thank God, my wife never had big issues on her pregnancy, so we didn't have to get this far. Our GP, in fairness, knows what she's doing and could be relied upon on some questions regarding pregnancy. She was the one who read the results of my wife's blood test and prescribed some vitamins. She also advised my wife what she can and cannot take in too much which is good.
For the ultrasound, we paid $150.oo which we believe is really worth it as we are given a copy of it in a big x-ray film with different shots of our baby. We were told that ultrasound used to be free before but it was abused by some pregnant women who took it in as much as they would want to. This is not a problem to us, though. We believe that delivering this baby safe in a respectable hospital with no charge is already a big help. So much more, when we receive the baby bonus.!
Schedules may seem to be uncomfortable for some especially for first time mothers but just to make everyone at ease, we got our GP whom we could see anytime a problem comes up. In situations which they can't handle anymore, then they will give recommendation to see an Ob-Gyne urgently. So far and thank God, my wife never had big issues on her pregnancy, so we didn't have to get this far. Our GP, in fairness, knows what she's doing and could be relied upon on some questions regarding pregnancy. She was the one who read the results of my wife's blood test and prescribed some vitamins. She also advised my wife what she can and cannot take in too much which is good.
For the ultrasound, we paid $150.oo which we believe is really worth it as we are given a copy of it in a big x-ray film with different shots of our baby. We were told that ultrasound used to be free before but it was abused by some pregnant women who took it in as much as they would want to. This is not a problem to us, though. We believe that delivering this baby safe in a respectable hospital with no charge is already a big help. So much more, when we receive the baby bonus.!
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