KEY POINTS
- According to Specialist GP Dr. Angelica Logarta-Scott, in Australia, a pregnancy journey usually begins with a visit to a local GP, who will refer you to public or private maternity care. In public care, midwives play a central role and work closely with doctors to support you and your baby.
- Public maternity care is mostly free under Medicare and involves care by a team of midwives and doctors, while private care allows you to choose your own obstetrician but often involves significant costs, even with private insurance.
- Australian maternity care may feel different from Filipino traditions. Hospitals offer interpreters and cultural liaison officers to help respect your customs, and community nurses provide support at home after birth.
Medicare helps cover most pregnancy costs like GP visits, blood tests, ultrasounds, and hospital stays for natural or C-section births. The National Immunisation Program offers free vaccines for pregnant women, including a new RSV vaccine from February 2025. You can also get support from community health nurses and various support groups.Dr. Angelica Logarta-Scott, Specialist GP
'Usapang Parental' is SBS Filipino's segment on parenting. It features the stories of migrant families, parenting issues, raising kids, and parenting tips and advice from experts.
The content provided is for informational purposes only and does not intend to substitute professional advice.
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