Birthing at Genesis clinic

Hi Jehtha

I actually had my first appointment with Dr Dlakavu today and I agree with Vendah - not really talkative but very sweet and answers all questions. I felt very relaxed around her.

I consulted with her at Olivedale Hospital even though I'm considering birthing at Genesis and asked her which of the midwives there she would recommend - her suggestions were either Xoli or Phindi which is great since I already had them in mind.

Thanks Vendah, I have my first appointment with her next week, not pregnant yet, but need advise before I'm pregnant.

Guess will have to wait and see.

Hi ladies

@jehtha I am currently with her she is ok, calm and sweet not the most talkative person bt will answer everything question u have

Hello Ladies,
Has anyone used Dr Dlakavu at Genesis, please share your experiences, bad or good.

For VBAC help, it is a good idea to join the Facebook page VBAC in SA. Lots of updated research and there are plenty of Doulas and Midwives on the page who can help answer your questions.

Jehtha, I doubt your Wilgeheuwel gyni will be willing to back-up for a Genesis birth, they have to have birth rights at Genesis and be willing to go there for a c-section or other complication in case of and emergency.

With regards to the upfront payment, all midwives do that, the medical aids don't cover their fees in full so they have no guarantee once the baby is out that you will be able to pay their fees. More and more gynies are also charging their birth fee up front these days as they struggle to get the medical aids to pay on time. It is inconvenient for us, but really a good investment in the health of your baby to go the all natural route with midwives attending the birth. So in my opinion its worth it all the way.

Thanks JeanineK, I will keep that in mind, I guess what i'm confused about is, why would I need to pay upfront for the birth by a midwife if already by this stage, I have a confirmed authorization by the medical aid, basically confirming that they will pay. Do they not care about that?

I'm also looking at getting a back up Gynea, I'm considering Dr Potgieter at Wilgehuiewel hospital(which is very close to me)- how far in advance should I ask this gynea to be my back up plan, I want to avoid going earlier because they have a tendency to discourage VBAC and I really would like to give it a try.

I've heard someone says something about if you don't have any complications by 35 weeks, then you give birth at Genesis, however if anything happens after 35 weeks that's when you have to use your Gynea and deliver at that hospital, I'm not sure how this process work, if someone could please explain it to me in detail.
So I will be downstairs because I will be using MA, I will then choose Phindi as my midwife and then choose Dr Maarsdorp as a Gynea, however if it goes south, I do not want to deliver at Garden City where Dr Maarsdorp practices, so does this mean I have to have two Gynea, then use Dr Potgieter in this instance?

Wide-eyed - thanks for you input, I do know about Gap cover, my plan covers up to 200% so I think I should be okay in this area

Hi ladies,

Jehtha, it's a good idea to start taking folic acid before conceiving, a multi vitamin won't do you harm either, but is not essential (do check though, some are not safe during pregnancy - too much vit A - always read the label/insert, or go with a pregnancy vitamin, which will be fine).

Regarding costs, you may want to look into getting gap cover - basically it's an insurance policy that covers shortfall on specialists who charge above your medical aid rate (i.e. your medical aid may cover 100% of discovery/liberty/fedhealth rate, but your specialist or midwife charges 200% or even more) The gap cover I have with Liberty is around R250pm for 2 of us and covers up to 500% of your medical aid's rate - whichever medical aid you're on (doesn't have to be with Liberty) You still have to pay upfront and claim back, but at least you shouldn't have any shortfalls.