Pregnancy in Australia

For the benefit of those who are also new to the country, here's a quick step-by-step guide on the pregnancy logistics in Australia. Note that this is based entirely on our experience and it may be different for others. Also important to know that we are not permanent residents yet, so we don't have Medicare to cover for our bills. We do have to pay everything up-front and claim back from our private health insurance.

1. Visit a GP who will do the following for you:
• Give you referral forms for the blood tests (immediate)
• Give you a list of OBs whom you can call
• Prescribe medicines if the morning sickness is too much
• Cost: $60
2. Go to the lab for blood tests
• Cost: 360+
3. Call the OBs and book an appointment. It is important that you do this soon as most OBs will not accept new patients past 12weeks. Don't know why...
4. After receiving the test results in the mail, go back to the GP
• GP will interpret the results
• Give you the referral letter for your chosen OB
• Prescribe more meds if you need them
• Cost: $39
5. Go to the OB for your first checkup and OB will:
• ultrasound and quick checkup
• Give you admission form for the hospital 
• Give you referral form for more blood tests (immediate)
• Give you referral form for nuchal translucency test (on wk 12)
• Cost: $200 for first visit; $39 for succeeding (every month); and $3,500 management fee on your 20th week.
6. Go for further blood tests
• Cost: $305
7. Call the hospital to book admission 
8. Call the lab to book the nuchal translucency test 

And this is exactly where we are at this moment. Waiting for the next OB and lab appointments (6 Dec).