Independent Midwife in Private Hospital

[kitten80]

I'd like to know anyone's opinion on this too (or experiences)???...

[Charlotte91]

Me too, wondering this.
I'm praying for a VBAC and am weighing up my options in regards to doulas/IMs

[LionsandBears]

I've not birthed in a private hospital before but had an IM for both boys, who were born in public hospitals. My understanding is an IM is there as a support person. They are not covered by the hospital insurance. They have no "official" power. I understand that sometimes the hospital midwives can get their noses out of joint when IMs are present. IMO, they can suck it up. I dont want anyone in my birthing space who thinks their ego is more important than me and my baby having the care I need. it's not like we're going to be doing anything radical that may affect insurance policies.

It's likely that next time, we will be in a private hospital, as we've negotiated a shared care between an OB and our IM. I just plan on leaving hospital ASAP and hoping no-one on shift gives me any grief before, during or after birth. I will need to develop a tactful, yet firm birth plan, that states that people leave their egos at the door. Birth is about our family. Anyone who cannot deal with our needs are not wanted anyone near me. The tactful part of that may take some working on.

For us, we will always have our IM as part of our care. I have specific reasons for that and would shop around until I found an OB and hospital prepared to accept that. Obviously, being in a capital city, we have more options than others.

WRT to midwives working together, in the pubic hospital we had midwives whose noses were put out of joint that we had our IM advocating for us. We also had other ones who were fabulous. I dont think the public/private thing is the issue. It's the individual who is on call on the day and that's potluck.

[HotI]

I dont think the public/private thing is the issue. It's the individual who is on call on the day and that's potluck.

I agree.

[HotI]

Also, i don't think i would want to be under the 'care' of medical professionals who had an issue with me bringing an independent support person to my birth. During labour and birth you can be much more vulnerable and you need to feel safe.