Geelong hospital maternity options: Analysing the cost of childbirth in public vs private system

Geelong parents have been warned of the costs associated with having a baby in some hospitals, with some healthcare ballooning past $10,000.

Medical and hospital costs associated with having a baby through private healthcare can balloon past $10,000 in Geelong, as one new mum warns expecting parents to be wary of potential costs of having a child in private or public hospitals.

Recent mum Maddy Collins with 15 week old baby Eloise and partner Adam Kerrins Picture: Mark Wilson

Parents are choosing between “no cost” birth services at Barwon Health and the region’s two private hospitals, Epworth and St John of God, where birth bills range between four and five-figure sums including the cost of a hospital stay, and an obstetrician, anaesthetist, paediatrician and medical imaging.

St John of God provides a “low-cost” $990 birthing option suitable for women with a low-risk pregnancy.

The basic cost of having a child at Epworth hospital in Waurn Ponds is understood to be about 5,000, plus $3000 for an obstetrician to deliver a baby and other medical costs.

In August more than 5,800 births were registered in Victoria and about 2860 babies were born at Barwon Health in 2020-21.

Lara mum Maddy Collins, 26, and partner Adam Kerrins, 35, recently welcomed baby Eloise at Epworth.

Ms Collins warned parents considering having a child in private healthcare to take out private health insurance at least a year before trying to fall pregnant.

“You’ve got to make sure you’re covered. We were self funded because we got private health insurance when I was two weeks pregnant so we weren’t covered,” Ms Collins said.

“All up it would have been $12,000 to $15,000. If we had (private) health insurance it wouldn't have been so much less than that. We were happy to pay.”

Private birth costs have risen from about $8200 five years ago.

Ms Collins said at the Epworth expecting mums were consulted by five obstetricians during their pregnancy.

“You see them all so you know the person who is going to deliver your baby. I had my own room and mums are in hospital for two to five days depending on the birth they have.

“I can’t fault Epworth. Everything was great. I don’t have a bad word to say about them.”

Expecting Armstrong Creek mum Rachel Dawson, 35, who is 36 weeks pregnant, has chosen to give birth at Barwon Health and use private medical imaging services after speaking with partner Peter.

She said costs included about $100 each for three scans, and a $450 DNA test to check if her boy had any genetic issues.

15-week-old baby Eloise. Picture: Mark Wilson

“My baby is breeched and I’ve been moved to the pregnancy clinic which is all paid for by the system.

“If I had my choice again I probably wouldn’t go through that system … sometimes it doesn’t meet expectations.

“Every time I have been to my appointments (at Barwon Health) it has been a different person … I have had a positive experiences but seeing someone different every time is challenging.”

Barwon Health women’s and children’s clinical director David Fuller said its maternity services were provided “at no cost unless a patient chooses to be admitted as a private patient.”

“The cost for private patients is dependent on their level of private insurance and fees charges by their private obstetrician,” Associate professor Fuller said.

“Barwon Health offers comprehensive maternity services for the local community and the broader Barwon South West region.

“Services include pregnancy care, birthing services, post-natal care in hospital and home based post-natal follow-up care.

“Our midwifery group practice is available to some families, which offers continuity of care with the same midwife throughout pregnancy and birth.”

St John of God Geelong hospital chief executive Stephen Roberts said the health service worked to make the birth of a child as “memorable as possible.”

“(Services) include a low-cost $990 option called Bundle, suitable for women with a low-risk pregnancy with an antenatal clinic staffed by obstetricians and midwives,” Mr Roberts said.

“Alternatively women can choose an obstetrician dedicated to their pregnancy and birth. The cost of these will vary according to obstetrician and health fund who can provide estimates at the beginning of the pregnancy.

“All our patients enjoy private rooms, shared partner accommodation, parent education and post-natal support, including lactation consultant support and home visits provided by a midwifery visit team.

Epworth HealthCare was contacted but did not comment.

Originally published as Geelong hospital maternity options: Analysing the cost of childbirth in public vs private system