A bit gutted :(

[Liz]

Well, from reading just snippets of news and info about the homebirth thing with midwives, I had kind of written off being able to have a homebirth once I fell pg, so didn't look into it much more.

Now that I am pg, I looked into it again, only to find out it ISN'T illegal for midwives to attend a homebirth Now I've found out it's too late to transfer to a health fund that will cover a private midwife and the $$ play a big part in whether we can make this happen or not And from what I have read we'd be looking at $3000 or $4000. My OB (after medicare claims) is probably only half that or less, so i can't even justify the cost by comparing that.

*sigh*

The main thing that is really appealing to me about the homebirth is the continuity of care.. as in.. having the midwife with me the whole time, instead of just popping their heads in now and then at the hospital.

Now I don't know what to do Does anyone know what the average cost of a midwife would be in the Blue Mountains?

[Alan]

Hi Liz

Why not have a chat to a couple of midwives around your area? Most midwives have a payment plan, and some may even reduce their prices a little.

[Liz]

Thanks Alan. I probably will have a chat with a couple. I have a gazillion questions anyway I think, as I'm still tossing up whether I'm 100% comfortable with it yet. I tend to evict my babies early, and what if half way through the pregnancy it turns out I'm not low risk afterall or something... it'd be too late then to see my preferred OB wouldn't it?

Whichever way I go, I'll be having a doula this time, so that should help my birth be more active etc hopefully!

Wish you were around here Alan! Fancy a holiday in January? haha. Mind you, I'm sure I'll feel the same confidence in a local midwife once I actually meet one

[Tegam]

Have a chat to a few. All i can say is that the money is worth it!

[Lisa]

I would definitely have a chat to a few and see what options are available to you. As Alan mentioned, some midwives do have payment plans, but it does still mean you're spending upwards of $3k still.
Good luck hun

[PumpkinZulu]

I think you would just have to weigh up the costs to how worthwhile you think a hb would be for you. DF and I have no PHI but will be paying for one anyway, because for us, the 3 or so grand it will cost us for an IM will be SO worth it, money well, well spent. I can understand your concerns about having to need an OB halfway through. Aside from bubs coming a little early, did you have any other complications during your pregnancies? Just as an example (we have had a LOT of time to plan/discuss things lol) DF and I plan to hire an IM from the word go. WE plan to have her do our pre-natal checks AS WELL AS at the hospital; we would like her to attend those appointments with us. That way, if something transpires during my labour which would require me to need hospital care, they have everything on record, all the info about myself and baby throught the pregnancy, so they will be able to treat me accordingly. Just another thing to consider I second what everyone else has said and have a chat to some IM's and see what they have to say about your concerns etc.

Good luck hun and again, soooooo over the moon for you

[Jennifer13]

Oh noes, Liz! Hope you can organise something that works for you. I'd better check out my PHI or for sure DP will not agree to a hb!

Just a question, if this bub decides to make a grand early entrance as well, does that mean you can birth at home and both stay at home afterwards? Do mws have some kind of a cut-off for how early you can be?