HELP! What option would you choose??

[Tegam]

Tegam, I can totally understand why you're torn about what to do. Its great you've got such a great track record with straightforward births. It would be a shame to feel like you had to go to hospital just in case when homebirth is such a lovely experience and its likely you'll have a quick labour again. Having said that, every labour is very different, I guess you do need some degree of preparation if you need to call on some more support during the labour and birth IYKWIM?

Could you chat to your IM about the cost? I guess their fees aren't just for the actual birth - as you would know their antenatal & postnatal support is gold standard. Maybe they would be negotiable on their costs if they happen to miss the birth again or its really quick? I know a colleague of mine had such a straightforward birth - the midwife was totally hands off the whole time, she kind of watched from a distance - and she was generous enough not to charge them the full fee because she didn't really feel like she actually did any work! Or you could consider having someone at home with you like a doula or a friend who has been through other births - just in case you need some more support or that extra pair of hands if you get concerned about something?'

to the OBs suggestion.

I was so luck that even my DH had the same reaction to the OB suggestions as you did. Im mean i understand why its an option, i just dont like it!

I really couldnt have a doula or friend cause i dont think they would make it either...

Also in a small way i dont realy think i want anyone there, just becauseit was so lovely with DH last time (but would havegone the option of having a MW in another room maybe??)

Was going to have a chat with my MW about maybe just the post natal care?? Then the support is there if i need it, the paperwork is taken care of and the cost should be less. Just not sure she will go for it as the $$$ arein the birth, Her paperwork says that you pay for the birth no matter if she misses it or not!

[Tegam]

By the way Infinity how is your little girl?

[onthefly]

That's a tricky situation! I can understand not wanting to pay for a HB if you're actually likely to get a freebirth. My worry would be ante/post-natal care. CAn you get that at a reduced price maybe? Maybe a differetn midwife might be willing to do it that way, if she isn't? It's worth asking anyway.
You say just post-natal, but what about prior to the birth, are you comfortable doing that alone too? I guess you can always rock up at hospital if you feel something is untoward. Actually it should be possible to hire a midwife for post-natal services alone.

I wouldnt' be keen on that OB's suggestion either!

[Tegam]

I just thought that i would see the OB until after the 20week scan to rule out most things, then move to GP and the hospital visits for the ante natal stuff. Its the 4th time i have done this so i dont feel that i need my hand held that much. I know i dont need the GCTest as i passed it the first two times. So its really just the BP, isnt it. Then the hospital will feel for bubs and i am feeling movement so there isnt a lot left for ante care??

Ill look more into the post natal stuff andill contact more MW if mine isnt cool. She is really lovely so there is hope. The problem is there arent a lot of MW around..

[onthefly]

Yeah, I guess you want to keep an eye on BP, which your GP can do, maybe also fundal height, just in case of to much fluid or something like taht. You might also want to keep any eye on baby's position, but that's something you can probably figure out yourself. I guess monitoring movements on your own would suffice without doing HB checks on the bubs (I suppose you could get your hands on a stethoscope and listen...?).
Not sure if there's anything else...? Probably best to ask someone with some professional knowledge on these things.

[Antheia]

We're in the exact same position. Midwives didn't make the last homebirth and probably won't make it again because they are 3hrs away and DS came in 2 hours.

But i still paid the $5500 to have them this time. It's not just about the birth itself. It's the antenatal and postnatal care that i care about most. Yep it's expensive. But in my mind, worth it. Because i would rather have them miss it then to give birth in a hospital again or to have a complete free birth. It's not worth the risk for me.

[meow]

But i still paid the $5500 to have them this time. It's not just about the birth itself. It's the antenatal and postnatal care that i care about most. Yep it's expensive. But in my mind, worth it. Because i would rather have them miss it then to give birth in a hospital again or to have a complete free birth. It's not worth the risk for me.

I think I would lean this way too. I'd be wondering about if this labour ends up being longer what would I do? I would personally want a midwife booked to come as a hospital birth and a freebirth are not really what I personally want.

That said- both are valid options and I think if you would be happy to go with them then do. Perhaps try to visualise a scenario such as long labour and how would you want it to pan out? Would you be happy to transfer to your hospital? Would you prefer the quiet of a freebirth? Its really such a personal decision.

I veto the ob's option though too