New To Homebirth

[meow]

Check this out: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...cluded-133577/

I almost didn't have a homebirth based on the cost, I kept talking myself out of it. But it's worth it and I never regret the money spent. Failing help from medicare, that's what the baby bonus is for right?

[Kirley64]

thanks meow.

i didn't really think of the baby bonus. do they let you pay after though?

[Cassius2]

ours all up including all pathology and GP bills and calmbirth course and pool hire, IMs and information sessions and naturopath visits and psychologist appts was $5,500. But DH and i went to town with it and did everything we could to not repeat our last experience in a hossy (was left with a PTSD).

It was the best money that we scrimped and saved for. I will do it again a thousand times over....it was that worth it you will not regret making the decision to plan for a HB. the support is amazing and the journey something so so special with the friendship taht you build with your IM (and this goes for your whole family: DH and previous children).

[Kirley64]

I'm curious as to anyone who has had payment plans with IM's. what do the plans work out to be? (how much per week etc?) Still looking into this but still no money saved our bills are as much as DH earns unfortunately!

[*Ash*]

Hi Kirley! Congratulations on you pregnancy.

We are planning another homebirth. I have a different IM this time around (my last IM has retired). We are paying $3000 this time. I have signed a 'contract'/agreement with my IM. One of the stipulations is that we pay her the full amount by 37 weeks gestation. She also requested a deposit of $500, which I paid on our second visit. Each time she visits, I make a payment- but she was not expecting or anticipating this. I just prefer to pay it off over time rather than have the temptation of spending the money on something else! But technically, we could have just waited and paid the balance ($2500) at our 37 week appointment.

Have you got any 'quotes'? Do you think paying it off over 30-odd weeks is feasible?

[Kirley64]

Thanks for your replies Ash! Well I've been given a ballpark figure of 3500..which is very reasonable but that works out to be 100 a week which id have to prolly send hubby out to get a casual job... Theres no stretch in our budget unfortunately really sucks. Im pretty sure hubby won't go for it. Our general hossy does have a midwife program which I have been accepted into before my first m/c. Apparently the program is great...i just really would love to home birth tho

[HotI]

Your midwife might have ideas you haven't thought of. Would you be able to use the baby bonus to pay if the midwife was able to accept it?

I was a census collector that gave us a large chunk of the midwife fees. Could you do a paper round or take in ironing to get some extra cash? Tax return? Centrelink money you get after you put your tax in?