average cost of a homebirth

[phynna]

annoyed at govt for not allowing homebirth on medicare...

BUT no regrets and will pay it all again no hesitations for next babies

[Mummato2]

annoyed at govt for not allowing homebirth on medicare...

BUT no regrets and will pay it all again no hesitations for next babies

There are some govt funded home birth options available depending on where you are.

I went through the Belmont Birthing Services and HB was an option for me completely free of charge (I only had to supply oxygen which was cheap)

We had a Birth Centre birth in the end because I wanted to use their better facilities - BUT there are some around if you look - they are usually associated with a main hospital.

[allycat06]

Thanks for the replies guys! Not having another for a while yet, just curious as homebirth is something we're definitely considering. I reckon it'd be worth every penny, I doubt any OB would ever spend 2-3 hrs with you for a consult and they charge pretty much the same amount in the end!

Mummato2 I don't think they have any of those hospital run HB options in Melbourne unfortunately.

[jackrose]

Good news, they do have home birth options available through some hospitals in Melbourne!

A few hospitals were given the go ahead to run trials just this year, I know Sunshine was one for example. I have a friend going through it right now. You are assigned your own midwife and she comes to you with back up hospital care.

I am not sure of the other hospitals, someone else might know but it is good to know there are possibilities!

I was like you, researching it all before I even fell pregnant! Unfortunately I could not go with the hospital based programs as I am considered "High Risk" by them, having a VBAC.

And I'm with the others, no regrets on the cost even if it is frustrating that there are no rebates or government support. Personalised attention and loooong consultations are so wonderful.

[phynna]

I think the other Melb hospital is Casey? Don't quote me though

I was considered high-risk too, coz of my liver condition and my anti-cardiolipin antibodies
....high risk and I ended up with a drug-free, tear/stitch/cut free, intervention free labour, and my baby is completely healthy, no jaundice, and no problems breathing/sucking/toilet-ing, etc!

[meow]

Has anyone gone through the public system for blood tests, ultrasounds etc but hired a midwife for a home birth? I went public last time and I can't get my head around paying for these tests when I can get them for free.