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Our Services Obstetrics
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Your 
new arrival 
at Burnside

Neonatal Care

Baby 2

Burnside Hospital has a dedicated team of experienced, accredited visiting paediatricians within our Maternity and Obstetrics Unit. While paediatricians typically do not attend vaginal births unless specifically requested, they are present at elective and emergency caesarean sections, as well as in cases involving multiples, premature babies, or any pre-identified health concerns.

Paediatric care at Burnside Hospital is available 24/7, including on public holidays, through our visiting specialists. The paediatrician your obstetrician has chosen with you will examine your baby within the first 48 hours of life to assess their overall health. This visit is also a chance for you to discuss baby care, any relevant family health history, or other concerns you may have.

Throughout your hospital stay, your paediatrician will visit regularly to monitor your baby’s health. They will also conduct a standard review of your baby’s health, growth, and development between 6 and 8 weeks after birth, or sooner if you have any concerns.

You can continue to see your paediatrician throughout your child’s life. As your child’s primary healthcare provider, the paediatrician plays a key role in preventing and managing illnesses, supporting chronic condition management, and helping you navigate the physical, emotional, and behavioural changes during childhood and adolescence.

Will I need to pay for my Paediatrician while in the Hospital?

You will receive an invoice for your visiting paediatrician, which typically includes an out-of-pocket gap payment. This will be sent to you via email or post, usually one to two weeks after you’ve returned home from the hospital.

How much will it cost to have my baby at Burnside Hospital?

The cost of your hospital stay at Burnside Hospital will depend on whether you have health insurance and the level of coverage you have.

We recommend contacting your private health insurer to confirm you have obstetrics cover and inquire about any potential out-of-pocket expenses. Each insurer’s coverage varies, so the cost to you will depend on your specific plan. Be sure to check if you have family cover (or coverage that extends to your newborn), especially if your baby may need to be admitted to the special care nursery.

It’s important to note that while Medicare doesn’t cover private hospital stays, it does contribute to the medical costs related to your baby’s paediatric care (e.g., if your baby needs to be admitted to the special care nursery). However, Medicare does not cover or contribute to non-admitted care, such as the costs of your paediatrician or other specialist services.

All babies, whether admitted to the nursery or not, are required to be under the care of a paediatrician arranged by your obstetrician, and you will be invoiced for these services after your stay.

In addition to hospital costs (most of which will be covered by your private health insurance), you will have additional out-of-pocket expenses for care provided by your obstetrician and your baby’s paediatrician.

Other potential costs may include services from radiologists (e.g., ultrasound), pathologists (blood tests), anaesthetists, and more. While you may not require all of these services, please be aware that these are separate costs. Be sure to check with your private health insurer and the relevant service providers for more details on associated costs.

What if I don’t have private health insurance?

If you don’t have private health insurance, you can contact our accounts department for more information about the costs of having your baby at Burnside Hospital.

Make an enquiry

Please note: the cost estimate we provide will only cover hospital fees. It will not include medical fees for specialists such as your obstetrician, paediatrician, anaesthetist, or any other services needed to care for you and your baby.

Can we help you?
Make an enquiry

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Contact our Team

Burnside Hospital acknowledges the Kaurna people as the Traditional Owners of the land and waters on which we live and care for our community.
We recognise their Native Title Rights to Country, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Visit burnsidehospital.asn.au for more information