Can I Have Private Midwife AND Private Obstetrician

Just planning ahead.

I want the same obstetrician next time because I think he's great and I trust him.

But the midwives were next to useless, it was a long labour and there were lots of shift changes.

What's really important to me is to manage the birth which will give me the best outcome for my pelvis (I have pelvic instability). Some birthing positions are meant to aggravate it. I was in the worst possible position (with my knees against my chest) for almost three hours. I believe this led to my atrocious recovery. It took 18 months after the birth to be relatively pain-free and that was with regular physio.

I think I would prefer an IM to a doula so back to my quetion, can I have a private midwife attend a birth at a private hospital?

And yes, I know this will be hideously expensive.

Yes you can, and you will need to pay for both. Midwives aren't allowed to 'catch' the baby though or perform medical procedures. You could ask her to examine you if thats what you wanted.

I have been thinking about this too. I would like to stay at home for as long as possible (unlike my first birth which I am really disappointed about - waters broke, rang the hossy to say I'd be in later and the OB said to come in now, need to check you as baby is not engaged, 22 hours of half hearted labour , baby still not engaged , non-elective c/s). Next time I would like to have a MW at home with me to monitor bubs (safety of baby is my paramount concern here, followed by fear of c/s rupturing) while I get into the swing of things in my own space & head off to hossy when I'm ready.

thanks Kelly. I really want a private midwife to manage a birth in terms of my labouring positions (not the catching) AND I want someone who I haven't just met five minutes before and who changes 8 hours later. Trust is a big thing for me.

I hope your Obs are supportive... some will even refuse to 'allow' (who's choice is it) women to have doulas. Good luck - and I think it's the next best thing if you can't have a homebirth... midwives will give you gold standard care... you'll love it.

Also please be aware that it's some IM's preference not to work in hospitals (for the whole birth) which rubs some women the wrong way... but this is their choice and they feel they can't work effectively there, also some get booked out with homebirth clients for which there is no other care option - so don't be disheartened if you get a no - but most will do it :)

My ob is on the BB recommended list Kelly so I'm hopeful he would be supportive.

What's the deal if you have a private midwife in terms of the regular hospital midwives. Do they basically keep out of the way or does hospital policy mean that they have to check in on you periodically too?

I have done it.

I hired my IM for support at home for as long as possible before heading to my private hospital with her where she acted as a support person. As Kelly said they aren't allowed to do any of the medical stuff once you get to hospital.

I found though that the hospital midwives stood back and let my IM do her thing only interjecting to listen to bubs heatbeat and do any BP checks and that sort of stuff. I spose it will depend on the day and the midwife you have at hospital as to how out of the way they will be......they might feel a bit threatened or they might see it as a blessing because they won't have to be with you so much, especially if they are busy.

I was fully up front with the hospital when I booked in telling them that I was bringing my own IM which they noted down and it helps if your IM has a bit of a good repore with the hospital too. My hospital new my IM and she had been there before in a supporting capacity.
My OB also knew her too, so I did shared care with my IM and my OB, alternating appointments between them. The OB you can claim on medicare but the IM you can't so it is a full out of pocket expense.

I was VBA2Cing and I totally believe that if I hadn't have had my IM I would have ended up with another CS. So in my opinion they are money very well spent!!

Thanks Hannah - very reassuring. Which hospital did you go to?

It was the Bays Hospital down in Mornington.