Should I Go Public or Private When Having a Baby?

What’s having a baby at a private hospital like?

Pretty nice! In a private hospital, you can generally expect nicer facilities and perks than in a public hospital. It depends on the hospital, but you could potentially be in for a private room with an ensuite, plus a room service menu and more fun bonuses. Your partner may also be able to stay with you overnight. 

If you have Private Health Insurance that includes pregnancy and birth, you’ll also get more choice around which hospital, obstetrician and midwife you go with.  

You can expect to pay more out of pocket at a private hospital than a public one, even with Private Health Insurance that covers pregnancy and birth. Medicare covers some of the costs, and your insurance covers some more, but there might be additional costs that you’re expected to cover yourself. 

What’s having a baby at a public hospital like?

It’s cheaper! In the public system, most of your costs are covered by Medicare. Public hospitals are also sometimes better equipped to handle complex health issues, so if your pregnancy has particular risks, you might find that a public hospital has better facilities to handle them. Sometimes, even if you have Private Hospital Cover, you might still be sent to the public hospital if there are complications or higher risks involved with your pregnancy or delivery. 

You’ll likely have less choice in your doctor and midwife than in a private hospital. You might also see a different doctor or midwife for each appointment, who will only know your history by reading the notes the last doctor left. You’re also less likely to have your own room.

‘Although I had a great experience having my first son in 2018 through the public system (with shared care via my GP), we chose to go private for our second child in 2021. Having a baby is stressful at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic lockdown, and I really wanted the extra stability and continuity of care you get with a private obstetrician. Sure, it cost us a lot more (around $8,000–$10,000 out of pocket) but it meant that I stayed in hospital for four nights post birth (I went home the day after giving birth publicly the first time) and my husband was able to stay with me in my own private room (he certainly got his money’s worth from the delicious room service menu). Plus, when you have a toddler waiting for you, you aren’t in quite the same hurry to rush home! There are definitely pros and cons either way, but for me, the extra peace of mind of going private was invaluable.’

Laura Crowden
Managing Editor, iSelect and mum of two 

Which is the best option for me?

If you’re standing at the crossroads of birth decisions, it might be helpful to know that, of the 97% of Aussies who welcome their little bundles in hospitals, three quarters go public.¹AIHW – Australia’s mothers and babies

So, which is right for you? It’s never a bad idea to draw up a pros and cons list! Yours might look something like the list below, depending on what your priorities are. 

	Public hospital	Private hospital
Pros	You can access medical intervention if you need it. Most costs are covered by Medicare. If there are complications, most major hospitals can care for you and your baby.	You can choose a doctor who’ll care for you from pregnancy until after the baby is born. You’ll have the option to stay in hospital for a few days after giving birth. You can choose the hospital you give birth in, and you might stay in a nicer and/or private room.
Cons	You can’t choose the doctor or midwife you see. You might not be able to stay with the same midwife or doctor throughout your pregnancy and birth. You’re more likely to be in a shared hospital room.	The hospital might not have the facilities to tend to complex care needs. There could be significant costs that aren’t covered by your insurance. Private hospitals have historically had a higher rate of caesarean sections and birth interventions than public hospitals.

Which Health Insurance Policies cover pregnancy?

When it comes to Hospital Cover (Health Insurance that covers in-hospital treatments) for pregnancy, you’re generally looking at Gold Policies. All Hospital Cover Policies are broken up into the same tiers, and any Gold Policy legally has to cover pregnancy and birth, as well as assisted reproductive services. Other than that, you might find pregnancy included in the rare Silver Plus Policy, but this is the exception rather than the rule. 

When it comes to Extras, there’s no specific pregnancy category to look out for – it’s more about figuring out which treatments you’d like to access and which plan includes them. There’s a whole range of Extras treatments that might help you through your pregnancy, from acupuncture to mental health and from myotherapy to breastfeeding support. 

Where can I find and compare Health Insurance? 

Understanding Health Insurance can be a bit of a puzzle, but here at iSelect, we’re all about simplifying things. Say goodbye to the confusion – you can explore Health Policies easily online.  

If you prefer a phone chat, give us a ring on 1800 784 772. Our friendly team is standing by, ready to steer you in the right direction and help you snag a suitable Health Insurance Policy for your needs.