The fact is that the difference in fetal death rates in public v private can be due to many factors including the most prominent, the socio economic factors that come into play when talking about who attends each type of hospital. When we look at the broad spectrum of the public system patients, there is a higher rate of those mothers that will have drunk alcohol, smoked and taken drugs (among many other high risk activities) that affect a healthy pregnancy and the outcome of a healthy baby at birth. Versus those in the private hospitals generally having a lower rate of this type of abuse during pregnancy. So it only makes sense that the rate is higher in public hospitals due to these factors. Not neccesarily (if at all) due to the care provided to both Mother and Baby in the hospital itself.

We had so many pregnant Mum's commenting on the fact that they were now worried that if they did not pay for a private hospital that they were potentially putting their baby at risk. Whilst the study has to be completed with further work being done on this topic, we can say this. The Public and Private hospitals in Australia are both brilliant places of care and support to expecting mothers and their new baby's. Most of the Obstetricians that work in Private also deliver babies in the public hospitals, the only difference being you don't get to choose who delivers your baby in the public. The midwifery at both provide the same excellent level of expectations with regards to the midwives they employ, and the care received by these wonderful medical professionals is the same regardless of which you are at. The rates will be different due to so many other factors than a broad statement made such as the one in this article heading.

You should feel safe and confident with whichever hospital or care you choose. Whether it be public in a birthing suite, maternity ward or private. If you are comfortable with your choice, your doctor, midwife, shared care arrangement, obstetrician or home birth with a doula... this is your choice and one that you should feel totally comfortable in trusting your own gutt feeling. That gutt feeling will serve you well into Motherhood, so trust it now.

This article put fear into many and simply because the heading did not reflect the true meaning of the article, and its contents left considerable information out. This is a shame, as so many parents have enough stress in their lives at the moment without adding to it with these types of statements.

Information and news is useful and we want to know it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. As long as it is reported correctly and the information is accurate and states all the facts known, rather than bits and pieces.

We commend the Australian Government for looking further into the maternity system in Australia, giving it the focus it so desperately needs and deserves. We will keep you up to date with any news and information that comes out of future studies and findings.