Freya: another option is to only begin seeing your IM a bit later in the pregnancy. I know many many people that have successfully done the bulk of pathology and scans etc through their BC or hospital and then after the 26 week bloods transferred the care to the IM. this can help reduce some of the fees (obviously not the big fees of the on call or birth fee).
As I won't be back in Townsville until December the majority of my antenatal care would be done down here in Brissy so I thought I wouldn't have to pay too much either.

I got the same speel about rapport etc which I totally understand. I was told a similar thing (ie min of 4 antenatal app with the IM).

My plan was to have antenatal and postnatal care done through the hut and hire a midwife for birth care. I was intending on doing the last few weeks or care with the midwife however it's the birth fee's which are the killer!

It's $2000 for the first midwife and $1000 for the second which they prefer that a second midwife be present.

So for me it would work out to be around $3400 for 4 antenatal apps and birth support.

My DP has also refused to pay such high fees given that the midwife I was intending on havin for Reid was only going to cost about $1800 for the same type of care.

I totally get that it's a business and they have supplies to buy etc but I mean really, fee's such as these limit the options for women. I'm feeling really angry that money is now in the way of me being able to birth at home.

So I'm now in the same boat as Freya. I've also booked into the birth centre and it looks pretty good that I have a spot however I'm still going to plan to have the babe at home. I'll continue this until I'm absolutely sure that this is no longer an option.