Last year, Tash Lay gave birth in a private hospital with an obstetrician she chose.
Ms Lay says she loved her experience but understanding what was covered by insurance was confusing as a first-time parent.
In Australia you can give birth and receive medical care while you are pregnant and after the birth in the public system or the private system.
"When it comes to having a baby in Australia, there are a lot of models available and a lot of different options," says Hannah Dahlen, a professor of midwifery and the director of research in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare there are 11 category models.
Professor Dahlen says options in the public system include:.
A public patient is usually covered by Medicare, but Professor Dahlen says there can be some out-of-pocket costs too.
The non-invasive prenatal test is not rebated by Medicare and costs about $500 if you elect to have it done.
Insurance expert Jodi Bird from consumer group Choice says health insurance is generally categorised into gold, silver, bronze and basic tiers.
Health insurance providers have a strict 12-month waiting period that applies to the date you're admitted to hospital for the birth, so you need to have the right level of care before you are pregnant to qualify for private care, Mr Bird says.
All up, Ms Lay says it cost her about $11,000 to have her baby in the private system, including the higher health insurance premium that covered birth and pregnancy-related hospital care.