Yeah- I'm not approaching a homebirth as a woman with prior birth trauma. I always wanted homebirths but based on the cost I decided to save on one birth and had my son a FBC. There were some issues with that- mainly my anxiety through the pregnancy about what midwife I would get, whether I would be classed 'high risk' and have to leave the birth centre and also having to birth my son on a birth stool to get him out quickly to avoid transfer and vacuum after 2 hours of pushing, which resulted in tearing. That wasn't optimal but it didn't make me feel upset about my care or labour.
I still really want a homebirth as I know it's in my life journey, and I do want to avoid some aspects of my previous pregnancy and labour experience. But I guess I don't feel like I need it so much that it's easy to throw 1000s of dollars to the cause. I guess my main thing is the post-natal costs. I could spend $1000 just on that alone and the thought freaks me out. I guess cause it's an unknown. I'll know before hand the ante-natal and birth costs but post-natal is a gamble.
have you thought about using a post-natal doula maybe instead of an IM? this *might* work out to be just as effective (no doubt there is someone with LC experience??) but also work out financially more appealing iykwim...
I hired an IBCLC last time and she was worth the expensive over the free service we had anyway. I am aware that you often do "get what you pay for" so I am prepared to pay. I was just remembering my every second day midwife visits for 2 weeks post-natally and freaking out about the $100 a pop issue! But I guess a package deal on post-natal support would be good. I hired Pinky McKay as our LC consultant actually and I think she does post-natal support packages now... hmm...
We're paying a package fee, which includes all ante-natal visits, birth plan meeting with 2 MWs, 2 midwives at birth and post-natal visits up to 6 weeks. I don't know how many post-natal visits we'll need, but so far our IM has been very accessible for phone advice, visits etc.
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