Hi all, I had DS in a private hospital and as I like to say, despite this (and the fact that I was made to lie on my back while birthing a posterior baby and hooKed to machines) I managed to deliver him vaginally without pain relief or assistance. I also got to 9cm on my own before arriving at the hospital so know I can do birth "well" IYKWIM. As soon as (and just before) DS was born I regretted my care choices and was sorry I wasn't at a Family Birth Centre. So baby #2 is due to be born at the Mercy FBC but I have always joked that if this one goes well I will end up with a homebirth for baby number 3. Now as the birth approaches I am more keen on a HB than ever for our next, but the kicker for me is the expense. Stupid I know, especially when I paid around $3k for my OB with DS#1, but it is crazy how expensive it is. I don't mean that those attending shouldn't be paid (far from it!!) but it is crazy that I should have to pay for a model of care that is actually less stress (all going well, which it should) on the public health system than a hospital birth. And I totally agree on it being an investment in mine and my baby's health.
Sounds like I am trying to convince myself huh? I shall enjoy the discussion - hopefully in a couple of years I will be planning a HB myself