Homebirth - where do I start?

[sepata]

So I got my bfp this week and I know I want a homebirth but don't really know where to start. I've looked on the HAS website and found a couple of IMs I'm interested in interviewing. Do I just send some emails off and wait to hear back? Do most people wait until the second trimester to start interviewing/making a decision?

Thanks x

[Lily Dust]

Congrats on your BFP, Sepata! In my very limited experience, I just put feelers out explaining it was very early days. Sent an email asking a few questions, although being remote I didnt have many options but I thought touching base couldnt be a bad thing. Asking questions, looking at what each IM offers and getting quotes etc isnt committing so it cant hurt. Good luck with it!

[ladybirdflies]

I would suggest calling them. You get a good feel over the phone whether you would like to meet up or not. I booked in super early this time and that was lucky because my midwife turned down two girls due the same time as me, her back up midwife is away around my edd so she decided to only take on one client that month. We had a few phone calls before 12 weeks and then we met at 12 weeks to talk about her service and prices etc. My last HBM I called at 26 weeks, met her and employed her straight away. Two very different experiences.


Ringing cannot hurt, I would choose that over email, it is more personal.

Goodluck on your homebirth journey, there is a great homebirth thread here too, so I might see you there!

[HotI]

Phone calls are way better than e-mails. It gives you a better chance of seeing if they are right for you, and experience from the homebirth thread is that not all midwives are internet savvy or use email as their primary mode of communication, so email can get left unanswered.

Don't wait, just give them a call now. Some midwives book up early, much better to appear keen than to miss out because you waited.

Join the homebirth thread, and you might find people who know the midwives you are thinking of.

Congrats!

[BellyBelly]

Agreed with the phone. I know many women (myself included) who had most of their emails unanswered - as HotI explained above!

[Cassius2]

phone calls are the way to go...

[HotI]

Did you make any phone calls yet? Such an exciting time.....

[sepata]

No phone calls just yet. I figured there was a good chance people would be away this week, given the time of year, so I sent an email out to 4 IMs with the intent of calling on Monday to follow it up. I've had one response this arvo so I'll give her a call tomorrow very exciting! Thanks for all the advice

[Cassius2]

yay! it is sooo exciting! make sure to pop into our HB thread too! lots of lovely people in there with babies baking!

[turtlejane]

Congrats Sepata! I can recommend several Sydney IMs so feel free to PM me if you like I'm about to have my second home birth, same primary IM as last time, different second IM as the previous one is now busy practicing in Blue Mountains.

We also have a wonderful AP community in North West Sydney if you're in our area

[Jennifer13]

How are you doing, sepata?

[sepata]

Really great! I meeting up with one IM on Tuesday, just waiting to hear from another about when she is available to meet. I've spoken to them on the phone and they're both super lovely, just need to find the right fit for us

[Jennifer13]

Fabulous! Don't forget, you'd be more than welcome at our next get together. PM me for details.