Berwick welcomes first bundle of Joy

13 Nov 2019

13 November 2019 

Stephanie came into the world on 9 November 2019 and was the very first baby born to St John of God Berwick Hospital's new lower cost maternity package, Joy. 

New mum Laura explained that she, along with husband Ben, had always hoped to have their baby in a private hospital.

"We have great private cover but we discovered that the out of pocket costs were out of our budget. We had decided to go public for that reason," she said.

Once they learnt about Joy later into their pregnancy, they jumped at the chance to deliver their baby in an environment that was more to their liking.

"For us it was all about the after-care. We wanted privacy with our own room and bathroom," said Laura.

Joy offers expecting parents who have private obstetric cover the opportunity to receive private maternity care with reduced out of pocket costs.

It is a newly introduced option for families and joins the hospital's long standing private care package which allows the choice of private obstetrician. Families now have the benefit of two models of care from which to choose.

With Joy, patients are able to access exceptional care during their pregnancy, birth and beyond from the Joy obstetricians and the hospital's midwifery team at a reduced cost, while still enjoying the little luxuries, privacy and longer length of stay that a private hospital offers. 

Stephanie's birth was attended by Joy obstetrician Dr Jorg Kemper and midwife Kim.

"It was such an exciting birth! Our first Joy baby," exclaimed Kim.

"It all went smoothly and to plan and Laura did amazingly well."

The joy is shared by the entire hospital team who wish new parents Ben and Laura all the very best.