Pregnancy is an exciting time but there is also a lot to consider for the upcoming delivery. Where are you going to have the baby? Is it the best care available? What if complications arise during labour? There is no denying that most pregnant women in South Africa would prefer giving birth in a private hospital. However, this is not always possible. Private hospital care is unaffordable for many but if you have medical aid or the finances available then you need to make the necessary arrangements as early as possible.
Procedure For Maternity Booking
The entire procedure for booking your bed in the maternity ward is quite simple. But time is the key factor. Do not wait until you go into labour to show up at your nearest private hospital expecting to be guaranteed a bed. The hospital may turn you away and you may even have to resort to a government facility at the last minute. If a hospital bed is unavailable and you did not make a booking ahead of time, then the hospital cannot compromise those patients who made plans early.
So when is a good time to start the planning? You gynaecologist will advise you accordingly but you could do it as early as the 16 to 20 week mark.
Speak To Your Doctor
Firstly you need to know your estimated date of delivery (EDD). You should be seeing a private gynaecologist who will be attending to you during the course of the pregnancy and deliver your baby. Your gynaecologist will be able to tell you the estimated date of delivery and clarify as to which private hospitals he/she would be willing to deliver your baby.
Your gynaecologist will provide you with a hospital admission form/card at around the 20 to 24 week mark. You will need this card along with a medical aid authorisation number to book your bed in the maternity ward. The admission form/card may only be used at a specific hospital. Alternatively your gynaecologist may provide you with a letter which could be used at several different hospitals.
Remember that some gynaecologists will only do deliveries in specific hospitals and may not be willing to change this just because you prefer another hospital. In this case you may have to change your gynaecologist which you should do as early as possible in your pregnancy.
Get Medical Aid Authorisation
You need to get your medical aid to authorise the payment of your upcoming delivery. This can be done telephonically at any time but it is best to wait till about 20 weeks once your doctor has a better idea of your estimated date of delivery. The medical aid authorisations department will fill you in on the scheme’s procedures.You will need to provide your medical aid with the following details:
- Your estimated date of delivery
- Type of delivery – normal vaginal birth or Caesarean section (C-section)
- Your gynaecologist’s name and practice number
Once the authorisation number is issued, make sure that you keep it in a safe place at all times.
Booking A Bed
Set a date to visit the hospital and book your bed in the maternity ward. Try not to put it off till its too late. You should do your booking around the 26 week mark so you can be assured of a bed. Furthermore by doing it before the 28 week mark, you can arrange the best time to have the 4D scan if the private hospital offers it for free. It is best to do this scan between 28 to 32 weeks.In order to book your bed, you will need the following documents and details:
- the hospital admission form/card/letter from your gynaecologist
- your identity document (green bar coded ID book)
- your medical aid card
- the authorisation number from your medical aid
Visit the pre-admissions department of the selected private hospital and speak to the staff about your maternity ward booking. They will run you through the procedure. A small cash deposit may be necessary at the time of admission if you are on medical aid. Semi-private and private maternity wards may or may not be covered by your medical aid plan. If not then you will have to pay a little extra in cash to secure your bed in these wards.
However, if you do not have medical aid then you will have to pay a large deposit or even the entire delivery package fee upfront. Cash or credit cards are your only payment options in most private hospitals. This amount can vary anywhere from R10,000 to R30,000, sometimes more or less depending on the private hospital you choose in South Africa. Upfront cash fees do not include your baby’s stay in a neonatal ICU should complications arise. Cash patients need to prepare themselves financially for this possibility, as a few days in neonatal ICU can run into the tens of thousands of rands.
You may need to visit the hospital again around the 32 week mark for pre-admission maternity counselling. Here a staff member will run you through all the procedures that you need to know for the time of delivery. This includes when you should arrive at the hospital, antenatal classes for mothers, the contents of your maternity hospital bag and other details relevant to mother and child’s care in hospital.
Medical Insurance from R380 p/m
Covers GP, dentist & specialist visits, prescription medication, select tests & scans.Pregnancy (pre-birth) maternity visits and childbirth delivery in private hospital up to R70,000.
Private hospital care (illness-related) benefit up to R70,000 per event.
I want medical aid but am pregnant now, i want to deliver my child in femina.is that posible to get medical aid
Hi Selinah. Yes, you can still sign up for medical aid but your current pregnancy will not be covered as it is considered a pre-existing condition. However, medical aid cover is still advisable for your newborn baby’s needs as well as your future medical needs.
hi im 23weeks pregnent want to give birth in a private hospital want to join medical aid or pay cash if possible
I’m 20weeks pregnant I want to deliver my child at private hospital yes I do have medical aid but my problem is that do I need a lettr from a doctor before I can see a gynaecologist?
Hi Nthaby. This entirely depends on your medical scheme. Most schemes do not require that you have a referral letter from your GP to see a specialist but a few do. Speak to your scheme and then follow up with your GP for the referral letter.
Hi..
I need assistance.. I am 27weeks pregnant and my Dr havent booked me yet to see a gynae. My medical aid is still new still less than a year but fell pregnant after joining the scheme..
Is there a chance of my Hospital authorisation to be declined because of my medical being new.. I join February and my pregnancy is due November.
Please advise
Good morning,
my name Tshego I am 8 weeks pregnant and my partner wants to put me in his medical aid will it cover for it, I also don’t want to give birth in government hospital.
I am 2o weeks pregnant seeing a gynae with cash is it possible i get a referral letter to deliver at government since the delivery will be costing more or less 40 000 and i cant afford it
I’m 40weeks this week and been seeing a gynea and booked at private hospital however the pains are too much I can’t wait anymore and want to go to a provincial hospital to give birth via a ceaserean as in tomorrow
Hi Hillary. Hopefully you have spoken to your gynaecologist by now. If not then do so immediately. Remember that even if you are booked for delivery on a specific day, you can go in earlier if necessary. The hospital should be able to accomodate you and so should your OBGYN. There is no need to specifically go to a provincial hospital if you are booked at a private hospital and have paid up already or your medical aid has authorised it.
Hi im 36 weeks pregnant and I want to deliver my baby to private hospital and I haven’t seen a gynae is it late to book
Hi
I’m 36 weeks pregnant. I haven’t been frequently going to gyne’s visits, I’m paying private/cash for child delivery do private hospitals require gyne’s referral letter? I’m kinda stressing now.
I am @ gauteng and I want to deliver at home place in Kzn my problem z that do I need to go there myself for bed booking for my delivery or can i sent someone else to do it for me with Necessary documents
I’m actually in a similar situation and have been wondering as well.Have u gotten a response for this?
I am in Gauteng and 33 weeks along. Given that I do not have medical aid, are there other private facilities that are more reasonably priced than private hospital for cash deliveries that i may look into. I really would rather not go to a public facility however the cost for birthing plans is so inflated. Please suggest a goo midwife or dulla option that also provides epidural.
Hi Dimphho. We cannot suggest any other facility or professional to assist with a childbirth. You should speak to your gynaecologist who will be able to advise you accordingly.
hi Dimpho
where did you give birth?
Hi I’m Happiness, from Newcastle Kzn, I’d like to know, I’m covered to my partner’s medical aid, I’m 8 weeks pregnant and wish to give birth at netcare Clinton hospital would it be possible, thanks
Hi,I’m only got my authorisation letter from the hospital, but only seeing my gyno on the first of June of which I’ll be 36 weeks,then its when I will be getting a letter to submit along with my authorisation letter to ferncrest to book a bed! Am I late to book a bed at 36 weeks?
Hi.Am 31 weeks and I booked at public hospital but I want to deliver my baby at private hospital. I have a medical aid. Can they help me there?
HI I am 32 weeks and have been doing check ups at my local MOU. I was unaware that my medical aid would cover everything. I want to go private now but they require a letter from a Gynae but no Gynae wants to see me due to my gestational age. What are my other options?
Hi Shakes. This is a difficult situation. Most gynaecologists will not take on a patient at this late stage of pregnancy. You have to speak to the private hospital of your choice. They may be able to convince one of the gynaecologists at their hospital to assist you accordingly.
Hi my name is Nthabeleng I have medical aid and I want to deliver my baby at private hospital. And the date I got from a doctor its 1 July 2019 .my problem now is I lost my I’d document .can I be able to book without I’d document
Hi I am 8 weeks pregnant and I don’t have medical aid but I want to give birth in a private hospital is it possible?
Hi , I am 33 weeks and been doing my check up at my local clinic and public hospital near me, i do have medical aid, i want to give birth at a private hospital cause my medical aid covers everything, im not sure what i must do from here in order to book a bed as i dont have a gynae, please help…
I don’t have medical aid but I want to book and deliver my baby at private hospital what can I do please assist I am 10 weeks pregnant
I’m 32weeks and on gems and haven’t really kept up with my checks ups but would like to deliver at a private hospital. What is required of me since I don’t have a gynae
I have a basic medical aid plan and would like to book a bed for delivery. Will it be possible to get it as im due nxt month Edd 25 June ??
I joined medical aid not knowing that I am pregnant and now I’m stressing about it because I still waiting on them to reply if they will pay for the delivery or not, what are the odds of them actually paying for the delivery?
Hey please update me if you can, currently in the same situation.Did they end up paying for the birth?
Hi we planning on having a baby.May you assist me with cost of delivering in a private hospital and which private hospital is the best for maternity and child birth in Johannesburg.Also the fee of visiting a gynaecologist .
Please kindly assist
Hi. I wanted to ask that if I all my pregnancy appointment at private hospital will I be allowed to give birth at public hospital?
Hi am 20 weeks pregnant and l havent booked in any hopsital
Please help me locate the nearest and what will be required for me to book one
Hi my name is Bontle I’m still on my first trimester and I’m planning on giving birth on the nearest private hospital. I want to know how much I can pay every month till I deliver?
hi I’m Linda I don’t have a medical aid and I’m few weeks pregnant I wanna give birth to a private hospital I wanna know how I book a bed and estimating how much would I pay.
Hy my name is Rose I have booked the bed for 8 November but I didn’t go on the 8th because I didn’t have any signs of labor so what will happen.
What is the minimum deposit to give birth at a private hospital without medical aid
Hi Riaan. Maternity packages and payment terms may vary among private hospitals. Usually you will have to settle the bill in full prior to delivery. Expect to pay at least 50% when you register early in the pregnancy and the remaining 50% a few weeks prior to delivery. Speak to your hospital of choice about their payment terms.
Hi. I’m 28 weeks pregnant and I want to deliver at private hospital I have Gems medical aid. I wanted to know if if covers hospital bills.
I delivered at Netcare using Gems medical aid. They covered my bills, I guess it would also depend on the option you chose on your medical cover , to what extent you will be covered.
Hi am 13 weeks pregnant an I wanna do my check ups on pravite doctor an deliver to public hospital is it possible to do that
Hi I’m pregnant and i was wondering if its possible to give birth in a different province. What is required to do that/
Hi I’m 17 weeks pregnant and I want to book for my check up at Botselong Maternity hospital and deliver at Botselong so what procedures do o I have to follow?
Hi my name is Queen I’m on Gems medical aid an I’m on maternity programme with them …I’m 24weeks pregnant now an attend all my monthly visits via private Dr but I’ve Neva been to any gynae since so my question is I requested him to write a letter for me to see a gynae an he told m it’s not necessary an I want to give birth at Fermina hospital so will they accept m on my due date without attending a gynae??cos GP said he will personally book a bed for me I’m scared cos I’m due in July 😭
Hi I’m pregnant expecting to give birth anytime from today I already booked for at the private hospital my problem is I dont have money to pay gynecologist up front for the delivery I’m on medical aid primary option will the hospital be able to help me wth the bby delivery
Hi I’m 8 weeks pregnant and I want to get a medical insurance can it cover me to give bhirth and see a midwife at life Crompton
Good day i am Giovannah i want medical cover planning on having one soon… I had a baby this year but she was born with some genetic problems Called GLUTARIC ASIDURIA TYPE2 DECEASE i dont want it to happen again so i want full care
I’m 8weeks and 9 days pregnant I want to go for check up to private hospital I don’t know if is possible I have medical Aid
Hi am 26 weeks pregnant and I want to give birth at medforum, and I have a medical aid so what do I have to do
Hi am 26 weeks pregnant and I want to give birth at medforum, I have medical aid so what do I have to do
I do not have medical aid. How much does private c-section deliveries cost?
Good Evening,
I’m a momentum medical aid client I have called Momentum and I have been advised that I can get free delivery @my nearest Melo med Hospital. How do I go ahead booking in for maternity services.
Good evening
I am 34weeks pregnant and I hvent seen a gynae yet isit too late for me to go see one to give private birth.
I’m 34 weeks pregnant and I haven’t been to a gynae so I called my medical aid and they told me tht I’ve been registered for maternity so I can give birth at the private hospital now I heard tht my medical aid doesn’t cover everything so I need a gynae to help me give birth so they gonna charge me 4500 to help me deliver the baby is the anyway tht I can be helped to deliver the baby by the gynae tht wrks at the hospital?
Good Day
I delivered my baby already at one of your Life Roseacres Clinic with great care and good doctors on a C-section but now my baby came a week before my delivery date and I’m told after 4 days I’ll need to leave him at the hospital as the medical aid will only pay up to 4 days now should I want to wait until is fully recovered and go with him how much does a hospital cost per day should I want to pay on my own for the days remaining until my baby is discharged?
Hello,am pregnant am scared that lenmed may not book me now my due date is December is it possible for me to do a booking now. I don’t have medical aid.
Hy I’m 20 weeks pregnant and I don’t have medical aid but I want to deliver on private hospital how much will I pay for Natural Delivery?
Hi
I’m 35 weeks pregnant and i have not been to a gynaecologist before, I was doing my check ups with my GP. I was just wondering if I can go and book at the hospital eventhough I haven’t been to a gynae. I am stressed out cause my GP only told me that I should do to the hospital once I’m in labour, he didn’t mention anything about booking
Am 16 weeks I want to book for bed just to give birth. How much can it cost?
Request a bed for my wife to give birth on 04 April 2023 she is on medical aid pls come back to me
Hi there. I am adopting a baby privately, and the biological mom doesn’t have any medical aid. I am looking to pay for the birth, but baby should be born in about about 6 weeks. How much will this cost?
Hi how much is to deliver naturally?
I’m 16 weeks pregnant and I’ve only recently joined a medical aid. I am aware that my pregnancy is a pre-existing condition and my delivery will not be covered. However, is it possible for the medical aid to cover the paediatrician fee when the baby is born? And to ensure that my baby is fully covered upon birth?