Beatrix- I'm living in the states and things are a little different here.
From what I can gather insurance will only cover office appointments but most home visits cost around $300 so it would be crazy to choose home visits. I found one place that does the early pregnancy visits "clinic" style where you go Saturday morning from 10am-12pm every 3 weeks and hang out with the other homebirthing families and have a quick 'vitals' check and chat about stuff. Apart from not getting personal relationship building time with your MW it kind of seems nice nad I could go by myself without any kids which would be nice 'pregnancy baby bonding' time. And I guess once you kick into the later one-on-one appointments you get more of the relationship stuff. I've never actually been that fussed about pregnancy care but I do need that time to be able to talk about my concerns, history, transfer etc.
I think in any case I would hire a post-natal doula. That's the time when I've needed intense support in the past and I don't think I'd get what I need from a MW. Most are saying 2 visits in the first 5 days or something then a 2 and 6 week office visit. No way.
Williams Mummy- I texted my H and MW when had my show. MW called back and asked about labour which there was none. Then within an hour I realised I was having mild contractions that were getting closer together and more intense so I called her back to let her know. I called my H and arranged for him to come home after a meeting he was just about go into. So I sort of set everyone on notice in early labour. Then when my H got home things were getting serious and I said "fill the pool and call the MWs!" then went to focus on the contractions. They arrived about 30 and 40 mins after that and my son was born about 3 hours later.
I called my midwife when i had a feeling that i might be in labour as a 'heads up'. that way she could get herself kinda organised to have to come to me if needed. maybe a call as a heads up to your SIL...it is amazing how sometimes your body knows to hold off until your peeps arrive to help you out.
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