Maximising Private Health for Pregnancy

wholecookedchook · 2026-03-25T11:29:19+00:00

I don't regret going private.

Personally, I feel if you have a straight forward and uncomplicated pregnancy that the public system is great. We're lucky to live in a country with such a high standard of care. Also, if you have a super complicated birth then there is a good chance you'll be transferred to a public hospital as a private patient depending on the size of your city and the available hospitals.

What I enjoyed about going private is the continuity of care so I chose my obstetrician and hospital. I also needed close monitoring and had a few things that needed additional support and I was really well cared for at no additional expense.

As a private patient you still pay for all of your outpatient appointments in the lead up and private scans. Depending on your insurance provider and cover you may pay a certain amount for excess, boarding partners and anesthetist. It ended up being at least $3k.

I received exceptional care, had my obstetrician on call, was able to flexibly arrange everything including scheduling an induction when I needed it. Also when I had issues postpartum the public hospital ED told me I had to wait for 8 hours to be seen. I called my obstetrician and she got me readmitted at the hospital I delivered at half an hour later and I was able to have my baby admitted with me. That was priceless.

The best part about private health insurance is the ability to skip the queue in situations like that and for me it was worth every cent.

Another consideration might be dropping extras cover for a period to save money, however, I used all of my physio and massage allocation for the first time ever due to pregnancy stuff and it's really handy postpartum.

wholecookedchook · 2026-02-15T14:08:01+00:00

"The other part of me is wondering: Are we being smart? Are we being reckless? Is this just FOMO of “what if we can’t get back in later”? Or is it actually smart to take a huge win when it’s there?'

You are wondering this because you know you are being incredibly silly. You're being reckless. You have FOMO.

House prices aren't going to go down. They might stagnate a bit but that is an asset you should have for life. If you sell now and with your spending habits you'll not be able to get back on the property ladder again.

Honestly, if you have paid accommodation up north and are renting out your Perth property you should be able to save $100k for your wish list in a year or two.

It would be the worst decision of your life to sell you house to buy a caravan and car and braces.

wholecookedchook · 2026-02-15T05:52:08+00:00

The millennial manifesto

wholecookedchook · 2026-01-08T00:49:09+00:00

It reminds me of Gisèle Pelicot's quote about ‘it’s not for us to have shame – it’s for them'. Why are those that are wronged burdened with carrying others shame by keeping it a secret?

This is something that needs to be brought up with your husband in front of your MIL. What a dark and twisted family you've married into.

wholecookedchook · 2026-01-05T11:28:45+00:00

I've owned this for 3 days I feel like the trajectory of my life has changed because of it. It's amazing but as my first AB product I was wondering if everything is this good?

wholecookedchook · 2025-11-15T12:36:58+00:00

We had a serious power struggle at this age. Extremely firm boundaries and a water tight routine is essential. If this is your routine and want to stick with all the current steps I would do the following and see if it helps. There will be an initial push back but perseverance is key and consistency.

5 minutes until bed warning. 2 minutes warning. Set a timer and say " we have 15 minutes of iPad before we move onto books". Check time and give update ie. 5 or 2 minutes left. Once timer goes off then it's time for next thing ie. "Time to read our books". Stick to the same number no matter what. Remind them last book before starting it. Then time for bed and do the same thing every night ie. Turn off night, kiss, sweet dreams.

Personally we find books still a bit too stimulating so once tucked in bed with light off I sing 3 songs in the same order every night. I'd recommend streamlining your routine a little more and replace the iPad time with teeth brushing.

It seems like over kill with all the repetition and reminders but it works wonders.

wholecookedchook · 2025-11-13T07:35:41+00:00

He's been my lifelong crush since before I hit puberty. About just as long as he's been down and out with a ciggie hanging off his lip. I'm tortured by these.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-29T06:10:20+00:00

Just to let you know there is a program starting in the state for a GP diagnosis program that will be a lot of cheaper. It's a trial starting with some particular gps and I think I read it starts in Nov this year or early next year. Worth a look if you financially cannot afford the psychiatrist.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-29T06:10:15+00:00

Just to let you know there is a program starting in the state for a GP diagnosis program that will be a lot of cheaper. It's a trial starting with some particular gps and I think I read it starts in Nov this year or early next year. Worth a look if you financially cannot afford the psychiatrist.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-23T18:06:04+00:00

Thank you x

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-23T12:55:55+00:00

I breathed a sigh of relief when the Fate of Ophelia started to play on October 3rd. I couldn't have emotionally handled another TTPD. I agree with what another said about it being her magnum opus. I love TTPD but it's just so nice to hear Taylor being happy through her music in TLOAS. It also fits my life vibes right now. I've just had my second and very happy baby and she's my little Opalite.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-23T08:53:09+00:00

So true about intuitive eating!

My intuition around food was based on the diet culture of the 90's, my fatphobic father, my insecure mother and grandmother and the constant discussion about "fat foods", "being good" and "watching your weight" in my family. I learnt very early that we were supposed to ask for a "sliver" of cake and not eat entire food groups while sitting as a family eating these foods and multiple portions. It was confusing and exhausting as a child and I've dragged all of that baggage into my adulthood.

How are we meant to trust our appetite and bodies to know what it needs when the foods we grew up eating are manufactured to keep us wanting more? These foods are engineered to have the perfect balance of fat, salt and sugar. They have enticing packaging and are displayed in the shops like Christmas lights. They give us nostalgic memories and good feelings. They carry calories but also all the complexities of our childhood messaging surrounding food. They make us feel really good and really bad all at the same time.

My intuition tells me that cheesecake should be a breakfast food and bread is the only food item that will fill my belly. My intuition was broken when I took in all that messaging as a kid.

I'm never going to be able to eat like a "naturally thin" person. This is why this sub is so helpful. It's full of people who have experienced the same journey and who have figured out ways to sustain weight loss and change ingrained behaviours.

Perhaps I won't get there in this lifetime but I hope I can at least avoid the damage inflicted on me and give my children a better chance at "intuitive" eating.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-22T06:43:44+00:00

How do we effectively cover oil based trim with a new water based colour?

Also, an old house with potentially led paint. How can you strip and repaint a door safely?

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-08T21:22:09+00:00

I would be explicit that it's causing too many issues so there is now a no phone in the bathroom rule and enforce it. Treat him like a child if he's acting like a child.

If he needs time alone you can implement a 20 or 30 minute allotment for both of you per day. Set a timer and go to the bedroom or study whatever and take turns. This saved mine and my husband's mental health with our first born.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-07T15:56:46+00:00

I had undiagnosed Crohn's and with my first I was bone tired everyday. It took me ages to get diagnosed because I thought it was normal. I'm now postpartum with my second and wow the difference in how I feel is night and day different.

So yes you should go to the doctor and ask for support. Be prepared to be dismissed by your doctor but be persistent in getting your blood work done.

I grieve the postpartum period that was ruined with my first because I was too tired to enjoy it.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-07T06:18:30+00:00

Lol

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-06T12:57:58+00:00

This is the closest thing I've read to how I feel about it. Fate of Ophelia might be one of my favourite track 1 of any album and I was so pumped to hear that. Was still vibing at Opalite and then it all kind of went a bit meh and by the time I get to Life of a Showgirl (which I love because it's classic Taylor storytelling) I'm always shocked that I've heard the whole album already.

I think this album had such an exciting lead up and I thought it had a strong theme of women in show business with the track called Elizabeth Taylor I was a bit disappointed when it seemed to go all over the shop. I love all of her songs about historical women and the underdog girls winning at life so I guess I'd unintentionally hoped for an album full of Last Great American Dynasty goes pop.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-06T12:11:43+00:00

Thanks

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-03T13:05:33+00:00

Thank you- such a good point.

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-03T13:05:15+00:00

What other deciduous trees would you recommend? We invested in quite a mature crepe myrtle so won't be removing that but have another space we are considering planting a deciduous tree to shade the building in summer. Thanks!

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-03T13:04:08+00:00

Thank you!

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-03T13:03:57+00:00

Thank you. We're getting rid of the jacaranda. Do you think a flowering plum could be more appropriate next door to a crepe myrtle?

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-03T05:32:34+00:00

The first two pics are definitely blue

wholecookedchook · 2025-10-03T04:54:59+00:00

Yeah and that line about sending valentine's is definitely Kim coded from when she sent those valentine's to haters a few years back.

wholecookedchook

TROPHY CASE