Cost of Giving Birth

icebreaker1928 · November 2012

@TotoyOZresident au citizen ka na pre? marry me

sticktoexecute · November 2012

@li_i_ren wow this is very informative. Salamat talaga we'll do what you advise.

LokiJr · November 2012

Tanong ko lang po tutal sagot na kamo ng Medicare yung panganganak pag public hospital...ok naman po ba ang serbisyo?

Saka habang nag-aalaga ng bata, usually po ba sa Australia, pansamantala bang titigil isa sa mga magulang sa pagttrabaho para alagaan yung bata? Tutal di uso diyan ang 'katulong' diba?

hotshot · November 2012

Tanong ko lang po tutal sagot na kamo ng Medicare yung panganganak pag public hospital...ok naman po ba ang serbisyo?

Saka habang nag-aalaga ng bata, usually po ba sa Australia, pansamantala bang titigil isa sa mga magulang sa pagttrabaho para alagaan yung bata? Tutal di uso diyan ang 'katulong' diba?

bump ko lang to...interested din akong malaman ito.

li_i_ren · November 2012

service is ok naman daw.. things they don't do here na we do sa atin.
1. they don't do episiotomy.. natural laceration gusto nila.
2. may choice kayo..they will give you a birth plan... uso sa oz, home birth (pero i don't recommend this.. specially if malayo kayo sa hospital and ambulance..very risky po yan) , may choice kayo of epidural (di uso sa atin yan diba? pero dito you can opt..but if you pay for it like di ka legible for medicare..bayad yan sa anesthesiologist), may water birth option pa sila.. according to my indian patient.. (these white people are crazy! ) she was offered this option kasi..hehehe.
3. may mga prenatal classes talaga..preggy book for hubby and you to read.
4. if healthy kayo... early discharge. diba sa atin may choice tayo to stay longer..hehehe.
5. midwife centered.. unlike sa atin doctor centered diba.
6. promoted talaga breastfeeding..which can be a good and bad thing.. kasi i heard parents who are very very frustrated kasi they don't have milk supply then ung midwife won't give them an option to formula feed..my take on that is.. it's still our choice us parents. though breastmilk is best..if talaga wala namang supply eh paano if magutom si baby diba ? big issue ssa kanila yan.
7. follow up ng midwife i think is good.. she will visit you until ok na si baby and you.. like you've gained enough confidence. i think this is very good for first time parents.

maternity leave is only 3 months ata na paid.. but you can have extended maternity leave pero no pay na but job is still secured until 1 year ata dito.

i haven't given birth here..but i work in kids intensive care.. where im sure you don't want your kids to be..but this is based on my parent's conversations i've had with them:)

Metaform · November 2012

Yung mga midwife ba ay independent workers outside the hospital? Paano maka-contact ng midwife? Tsaka separate ba ang bayad sa kanila?

li_i_ren · November 2012

http://www.pregnancy.com.au/find-a-practitioner/find-a-midwife/index.shtml
http://www.midwivesaustralia.com.au/?page_id=68

nasa google lang pero must better po by word of mouth at least my reference kayo of their service.. somebody who has tried that person before.

http://www.ntwwc.com.au/uploads/File/factsheets 2010/fact sheet what are my maternity rights.pdf ..something nice to read about your rights if you are preggy and working.

stolich18 · November 2012

@li_i_ren
Parang medyo ganito na rin sa atin, sa St. Luke's and sa Makati Med. And the price ganyan na rin halos. hehhehe marami na rin nagppromote sa Pilipinas ng breastfeeding and natural methods of giving birth.

LokiJr · November 2012

service is ok naman daw.. things they don't do here na we do sa atin.
1. they don't do episiotomy.. natural laceration gusto nila.
2. may choice kayo..they will give you a birth plan... uso sa oz, home birth (pero i don't recommend this.. specially if malayo kayo sa hospital and ambulance..very risky po yan) , may choice kayo of epidural (di uso sa atin yan diba? pero dito you can opt..but if you pay for it like di ka legible for medicare..bayad yan sa anesthesiologist), may water birth option pa sila.. according to my indian patient.. (these white people are crazy! ) she was offered this option kasi..hehehe.
3. may mga prenatal classes talaga..preggy book for hubby and you to read.
4. if healthy kayo... early discharge. diba sa atin may choice tayo to stay longer..hehehe.
5. midwife centered.. unlike sa atin doctor centered diba.
6. promoted talaga breastfeeding..which can be a good and bad thing.. kasi i heard parents who are very very frustrated kasi they don't have milk supply then ung midwife won't give them an option to formula feed..my take on that is.. it's still our choice us parents. though breastmilk is best..if talaga wala namang supply eh paano if magutom si baby diba ? big issue ssa kanila yan.
7. follow up ng midwife i think is good.. she will visit you until ok na si baby and you.. like you've gained enough confidence. i think this is very good for first time parents.

maternity leave is only 3 months ata na paid.. but you can have extended maternity leave pero no pay na but job is still secured until 1 year ata dito.

i haven't given birth here..but i work in kids intensive care.. where im sure you don't want your kids to be..but this is based on my parent's conversations i've had with them:)

Sounds like a systematic ~~reproductive~~ health program to me...hehe...mukhang di naman pala pababayaan ang ina kahit sa public...good to know :P

li_i_ren · November 2012

public hospitals here are very good.. it's not like sa pinas na public is parang baboy na. the best doctors are actually employed by the public sectors because they pay really well. like i had a pt. who came from a well off family (lawyer/ banker parents) they admitted her sa private hospital but the operation happened sa public hospital because it was a very complicated procedure.. post operative until stable nasa public intensive care sya but once she is stable an ambulance will bring her back to the private hospital.. kasi sa private you have your own room/ bathroom.
public hospitals have an open ward system..like you see on t.v. where the dividers are just curtains or some other light/ thin material lang but care and service is still of quality.. wala lang fancy t.v. na flat screen, shared bathroom, you have to wait for tests/ scans kasi talagang whoever is the most urgent will go first compared sa private na little to no waiting time kasi the patients are not as many, simple lang ang food hindi made by a chef but it's clean and pretty decent naman din.

@LokiJr it's not a reproductive health program..that is wrong usage of the terminology... when you say reproductive health it pertains to contraception/ spacing/ family planning/ fertility (IVF).
this is maternal and child health.. care of the pregnant woman and newborn child.

like my teacher used to say, " now you know.. ":P

LokiJr · November 2012

Ayan @li_i_ren, binago ko na post ko hehehe :P sabagay di kelangan ng Australia ng birth control. kelangan nga nila ng tao haha

Metaform · November 2012

public hospitals here are very good.. it's not like sa pinas na public is parang baboy na. the best doctors are actually employed by the public sectors because they pay really well. like i had a pt. who came from a well off family (lawyer/ banker parents) they admitted her sa private hospital but the operation happened sa public hospital because it was a very complicated procedure.

Sa pinas lang naman ang kabaligtaran (read: corruption). Dito sa UAE, preferred din manganak and magpagamot ng mga tao sa government hospitals dahil mas monitored ng gobyerno ang standards and quality compared sa private.

gerrymontano · November 2012

Hi! I just gave birth last Sep 30 here in Melbourne. We're holders of PR visa and we got here in AU mid of January... So, we've only been here for 8.5 months when I gave birth.

I didn't pay a single centavo for the check-ups, tests (i.e. blood test, glucose, etc), ultrasound and delivery / hospital stay... We just used Medicare for everything. I was under shared cared... Meaning I was seeing a GP in the community health centre and an OB in the the hopital (Mercy Hospital for Women which is a first-class public hospital).

As for the pregnancy vitamins like Vitamin D and multivitamins, I purchased it from the Chemist.

For the benefits, I'm entitled to claim Baby Bonus which does not have residency requirement.
This is good news!!

wow! This is really good to know. Thanks for the info

rara_avis · November 2012

Interesting thread. I just gave birth 3 months ago, SG based kami and umuwi pa ako ng pinas because the cost of giving birth in SG is sky high. Hopefully, nasa AU na kami when baby # 2 arrives na naka-plano in 3-4 years time. Nice to know na okay ang maternity coverage for PRs. At least hindi kami masyado magwoworry sa expenses.

@li_i_ren Ouch naman yung no episiotomy! Ang hirap pa naman manganak! Uso na din sa atin ang epidural, tapos yung water birth meron na atang ganung option sa high end hospitals like Asian Hospital, Makati Med, Medical City. Ang mga hospitals sa pinas ngayon required na hindi bigyan ng formula ang newborn dahil sa milk code. Of course, hindi naman lagi yang nasusunod pero nung ako nanganak halos magmakaawa ako dun sa mga nurses and doctors na bigyan na ng formula yung baby ko kasi natatakot akong magutom sya. Pero di talaga sila pumayag, pina-assist pa ako sa lactation consultant buti naman successful kung hindi baka nagwala na ako sa ospital nung time na yun.

brent · December 2012

Hello po. My wife is 5 mos. pregnant as of today, and nandito kami ngayon sa SG. Me, my wife, & 4 yr old were granted PR visas last May 2012. We're seriously considering na instead of giving birth sa Pinas (uuwi misis ko para dun manganak).. eh sa Au manganak ang wife ko, & kung sakali, we're planning to fly in by February (7 mos as allowed by Airline companies).
Wala po kaming kapamilya sa AU, except for a very few acquaintances, & wala pa din kami tutuluyan (still searching for accommodation) which are some of the reasons why nagda-dalawang isip kami to push with our plan.

Sana po may makatulong sa mga katanungan namin:

1) Sapat na po ba ang budget namin na 20,000 AUD to include Hospitalization (malamang CS), house / room rental, living allowance namin, habang naghahanap po ako ng work?
2) Eligible na po ba kami to receive the Baby Bonus pag dyan nanganak si misis? Magkano po ulit yun, just in case (will be our 2nd child) ?

Maraming salamat po in advance sa mga makakapag-bigay ng payo tungkol sa mga katanungan namin.

lock_code2004 · December 2012

@brent - congratulations!!
- kahit ba hindi manganganak si misis eh tuloy na rin ang lipad sa Feb 2013? I guess, its a Yes, because of the Initial Entry Requirement?

nasagot na po ng ibang post ang mga ibang questions nyo, from @bellecaye_18:
"Hi! I just gave birth last Sep 30 here in Melbourne. We're holders of PR visa and we got here in AU mid of January... So, we've only been here for 8.5 months when I gave birth.

I didn't pay a single centavo for the check-ups, tests (i.e. blood test, glucose, etc), ultrasound and delivery / hospital stay... We just used Medicare for everything. I was under shared cared... Meaning I was seeing a GP in the community health centre and an OB in the the hopital (Mercy Hospital for Women which is a first-class public hospital).

As for the pregnancy vitamins like Vitamin D and multivitamins, I purchased it from the Chemist.

For the benefits, I'm entitled to claim Baby Bonus which does not have residency requirement."</</b>i>

li_i_ren · December 2012

@brent check these sites out for rental.. www.gumtree.com.au , www.realestate.co. au and www.domain.co.au for a a family of 4 you will need a 2 bedroom house at least.. kasi you will have a hard time finding an agent who will allow na 1 bedroom for a family of (almost) 4:)

sana maka hanap ka agad ng work.. ok lang 20, 000 pero tipid talga kahit na let's say free lahat ng care ni misis.. sa rent pa lang the least you can get is around 380 per week. wa'g na mag childcare sa 4 years old nyo..same age yan ng anak ko until you find work..kasi preschool can cost about 90 aud per day po. may rebates naman pero my friend said with rebates it still works out about 80 aud per day for preschool. so later na when you have a job. kaya naman ang 20 thou na baon for a family of 3.. tipid2x lang po:D

brent · December 2012

@lock_code2004 thank you sir. Actually we acted on the Initial Entry issue in advance na, so as to open up our options by next year. Nag-initial entry na kami just this Oct, kaya we're debating on whether or not to push early next yr, just in time for the delivery, though medyo kasabay ng job hunting ko. Bit risky, so we want to carefully consider all factors.

@li_i_ren yes indeed, pahirapan talaga house. Pag nakakita siguro kami ng accommodation, malaki chance na tutuloy kami sa plano. Yun actually biggest concern namin, given na ang dami pa yatang requirements & unahan pa, bago makakuha ng house. Hopefully within 3 months may makita na ko work.
One more question (just considering worst case scenario) can a family of 4 (including the newborn) survive with me doing casual jobs? I just want to see all possibilities. Thanks po talaga sa priceless tips nyo.

li_i_ren · December 2012

not on a casual job.. may forumer dito pasensya rommel..example ka na naman..

he works casual as an nurse aid kasi student po sya ng nursing dito. malaki nga pay niya kahit part time at 22 per hour compared sa minimum wage of 18 aud per hour for most jobs.

and he would tell you na if he had to pay rent... he wont be able to eat and pay transpo. he lives with his family whose already in australia. so what he earns at his part time job is for his own expenses as a single.

casual kasi is only less than 40 hours a week..mga let say 20-30 work hours lng yan mutilply by the min. wage..how much is that?

general rule for migration in any 1st world country is dapat each member of the family must have 1000 per person per month. para u will survive na medyo comfy.

so ok ung baon nyo na 20000 pero if based on this rule..good for 5 months lang yan.

you need a full time job po if may family. specially with a baby on the way.. hindi po mura or free and diapers..sad to say.

LokiJr · December 2012

@bellecaye_18, It's good to hear po na nakakuha na kayo kaagad ng benefits sa Australia...their system is working indeed

brent · December 2012

@li_i_ren thnx for the tips. Hope we can make the right decision based on these info that you give & read from this forum. Thanks thanks! Godspeed po sa'tin lahat!

Aiwink · December 2012

I heard the paid maternity leave is based on the discretion of the company? wala daw ruling ang government with regards to maternity leave being paid. although i saw in one site that you can have 56weeks as long as you've already served one year to the company pero unpaid sya.

I guess its okey kung may baby bonus naman and stuff.

Aiwink · December 2012

says here its unpaid
http://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/parental-leave/pages/default.aspx
but wait!
http://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/parental-leave/pages/paid-parental-leave.aspx
parang may salary cap sya and you must choos between the baby bonus or this as these are both paid by the government.
and must
"worked for at least 10 of the 13 months before the birth or adoption of your child, and
worked for at least 330 hours in that 10-month period (just over one day a week), with no more than an eight-week gap between any two consecutive working days."

jennyjamm · December 2012

Hello im currently pregnant its 10 weeks now im temporary resident here in canberra, im a filipina just wanna know ur ideas or suggestion regarding my situation now i really wanna give birth here in australia since my husband is also working here and according to our health insurance birth is already covered, but not w/ test, check-ups, ultrasound and etc.. My husband and i now worried for the cost and since this is our first child and no relatives here in oz , baka magka problema after panganak or yung baby paano kng magkasakit since wala kming medicare mahirap talaga.. Now my question is it better to give birth in oz or in the philippines? Ur suggestions would be appreciated thanks ng marami

Bryann · December 2012

Speaking of diapers, haha. Sa Woolworths lagi namin binibili yun Huggies na isang box ($30) kapag sale. Depending sa size ng diaper (if XL mas konti laman ng box sa Medium size for example), around 60pcs yun. Pang-daytime na diaper para mas makatipid try namin yun Woolworths brand na diapers, half price siya around $12 per pack lang. Okay naman hindi nagkaka-rashes si baby. Hiyang hiyang talaga diapers/nappy.

Metaform · December 2012

@jennyjamm Weigh your options. Maybe masyado ka lang worried sa panganganak. Kapag nanganak ka sa Pinas, mahihirapan ka madala si baby pabalik sa Oz.

Metaform · December 2012

Laking tulong ba talaga ang baby bonus? Sapat na ba sya sa gastusin para kay baby - nappies, milk, etc.? For a year lang yun diba?

TotoyOZresident · December 2012

Hello im currently pregnant its 10 weeks now im temporary resident here in canberra, im a filipina just wanna know ur ideas or suggestion regarding my situation now i really wanna give birth here in australia since my husband is also working here and according to our health insurance birth is already covered, but not w/ test, check-ups, ultrasound and etc.. My husband and i now worried for the cost and since this is our first child and no relatives here in oz , baka magka problema after panganak or yung baby paano kng magkasakit since wala kming medicare mahirap talaga.. Now my question is it better to give birth in oz or in the philippines? Ur suggestions would be appreciated thanks ng marami

Hi, you have to clarify to your private health provider kung yung mga check up eh like ultra sound may rebates or refund ng 20-30%. Pumunta na ba kayu sa GP? kasi GP ang gagawa ng referral to Canberra Hospital kung yun ang plano mo manganak sa public hospital.

Anu ang visa nyo? baka eligible kayo sa baby bonus... mag inquire at basahin mo dito sa link:

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/baby-bonus

Goodluck...

cheers

sydneyblued · December 2012

@jennyjamm parang may nabasa din ako somewhere sa forum na 'to na pag sa OZ pinanganak automatic is OZ citizen na... guys please confirm

... I think that would be an advantage for your baby pag ganun.

TotoyOZresident · December 2012

@jennyjamm parang may nabasa din ako somewhere sa forum na 'to na pag sa OZ pinanganak automatic is OZ citizen na... guys please confirm ... I think that would be an advantage for your baby pag ganun.

Kapag Temporary Visa ang Parent the same din ang visa ng Baby. Pero kapag Permanent Resident o citizen ang Parent kaagad Citizen ang Baby may makukuha din na mga benefit from Australian Government.
cheers..