Sorry i havent read the other replies, but here's what i think..

DS2's homebirth cost me all up of around $5700. This included antenatal, birth and postnatal ($4500), doula ($700), birth pool and other such things ($500ish). In the end, i did not use the birth pool (he came in the bath), midwives did not make it and doula did not make it. So half of it was pretty much wasted on nothing because he came within 2 hours from first contraction.

But i don't regret a single cent. The fact i could give birth a home (regardless if they missed it or not) is worth more than anything tangable.

With this bub, we are planning another homebirth with the same midwives. This time however they are charging me $5500 straight up, which i have already paid. This is because of 4 reasons. 1)they live 2hrs45mins from me, 2) we've moved farther away than last time so its a bit more, 3) i had to pay up front this time because unfortunatly they have had some women not pay in full after promised and 4) because i was doing shared care last time and this time i am paying them for every appointment.

We had to get a loan to pay for it this time.

There is a very high chance they will miss it again. However i have a different doula this time (due to our other one will have a newborn at the time) and she is a lot closer to us. But i still will not regret the money i have spent. Having free birthed (unintentionally) it doesnt really bother me if they miss it or not. But getting the antenatal and postnatal is invaluable. I also consider both to be very good friends of mine now. They think the way i think and i just clicked with them instantly. Each appointment goes for a few hours and it just does not even compare to the hospital system at all.

So those are my thoughts, and yes ultimatly it can just come down to not being able to afford it. Unfortunatly that is the way the aus government is hell bent on making it near impossible for us to birth at home. But most midwives can do a payment plan for you and some even let you pay with the baby bonus.

Goodluck in making a descion. *hugs*