Two IMs for HB

[meow]

I assume not everyone having a HB has two IMs? If you didn't, what sort of backup did your IM organise?

If you did, did you have to pay full birth attendence fees for the 2nd midwife also?

Thanks!

[Cassius2]

Hi there!

we are having to IMs at our upcoming HB. the only reason being is that a good friend of mine is an IM and offered to be a birth support person, so i just had to find a primary IM.

if you do have 2 IMs attending and providing ante-natal care you pay for them separately (well this is how it was explained to me) BUT usually the secondary IM may charge less as they are not handling all the appts but are there really just for the labour/birth. So for example, my friend will be charging significantly less as i will be only really paying a small on-call fee that also includes attendance at her calmbirth class.

if you go the 'normal' route of having one IM you only pay for the 'back-up' midwife if you actually need them (like in the case of your first IM not being able to make it). most IMs have a back-up person/s that they use/work with on a regular basis. also a back-up or second IM should be on the same page as you regarding the birth plan and this is usually done around the 30 week mark appt.

HTH!

[meow]

Thanks
I don't have any midwife friends so that is out for me- you're very lucky! I get the impression from the Midwives Naturally website that you have to have a second midwife so if I went with one of them that would be an extra cost to incur. I guess I'd have to confirm, I'm just not sure if it's worth scratching them from my preliminary research.

[phynna]

Check with Midwives In Private Practise MIPP too, dont have their phone number anymore sorry

I had 2 midwives, one main and one backup, but same company, and we got to know them both well over the pregnancy,and paid for altogether too. Central Vic Midwifery Group, run by Helen Sandner

[Tegam]

I had my first appointment with two MW then got to pick the one i clicked with. The other was the backup if my MW needed or wanted her. I wouldnt have had to pay anything if she had had to attend!

[meow]

The other was the backup if my MW needed or wanted her. I wouldnt have had to pay anything if she had had to attend!

Oh that's interesting Tegam- I didn't know that. So I guess the cost of a 2nd midwife is something you need to factor in but it's not a certainty.

[Tegam]

No Id ask. I think that when you pay your MW to attend your birth they know it could be long. If they need a break you shoudnt have to cover the cost!

[Cassius2]

yeah i know with the group i am going through you only pay for the backup midwife fee only if you actually need them....which i think was $700...

[LionsandBears]

The arrangement with my IM is that we pay her and the cost includes the 2nd midwife. There will be 2 attending. I think we meet the 2nd midwife at the birth plan meeting.

[Arcadia]

My package included a second midwife. Ours was about four and a half thousand, which included all prenatal and antenatal care. The second midwife came to the birth plan meeting and the birth and did a lot of the after care because she lived so close to me (she was also an lc so was super useful!). There was no talk of paying the second midwife separately. IMO i like two midwives at the birth because then there's one for you and one for the bub if needed.

[meow]

Hmm... thanks for all the advice in this thread. I have gone ahead and booked a midwife with a practice that requires a second midwife too. I'm comfortable with the idea of two midwives- they like to have one for mum and one for baby so both midwives attend regardless of length of labour.