Who wanted a homebirth?

[youngbrismum]

Hi everyone,

I am amazed at how many women when I tell them I had a homebirth say: "I would have loved a homebirth but....". So I thought I would post a poll for those women who did want a homebirth to find out exactly what the reasons were.

I hope to contact my local MP in the future with evidence that women are wanting home birth as an option but aren't able to and that maybe there is something the government can do about it.

Thanks

Brooke :yelclap:

[SugarBlossom]

I would have loved to have a homebirth (was illegal here, but not anymore:yelclap: )

So for the next one it is a definate option:fingerscrossed:

[tanni_83]

I too wanted one but the hospital insurance doesnt cover the Midwives (public) to go out on call to do them. maybe if i had of gone private, it may have been possible

im hoping to go private next time so maybe a homebirth will be an option then :fingerscrossed:

[youngbrismum]

Hi tanni_83,

Unfortunately homebirths are not funded by anyone, not the government or health insurance, which is why there is such a need for us to push for it. With the average midwife now charging approx. $3000 it is absolutely disgusting that those of us opting to birth outside the hospital system are basically punished for it by having to foot the bill. Not to mention that the government pays the hospitals more than that amount for a hospital birth.

Remember though that although $3000 seems like a lot, the care you recieve is phenomenal. You will have about 10 prenatal visits with your midwife, the birth and postnatal care upto 6 weeks postpartam. Personally I think homebirth midwives are well worth it.

[shed]

I would desperately LOVE a homebirth. DP is totally against it but the main reason is that I feel selfish for spending the quoted $4,000 on that when it could go on things for bubby.

If I ever have another child I am having it at home if I can. I don't care what DP says.

When I think of having bubby at home I feel excited but calm, and when I think of the hospital I feel terrified and anxious.

I am staying home for as long as possible after labour starts and I don't care what DP says about that either. I have left heaps of brochures about homebirth around the house, but its mainly the money that's stopping me.

If it was partly funded or cheaper then there would be absolutely no question of what I would do.

I don't suppose there is a training programme for midwives where they are a bit cheaper? Even $2,000 would be do-able for us.

[cosmic]

I agree with everything Shed said! At first, admittedly I was a bit anxious about the homebirth idea, as was DH - but over time I have completely changed my mind. I would love a homebirth and I'm quite sure DH would be supportive if I really exercised my persuasive powers ;). Besides which, I fundamentally believe that I am the one birthing the child so the environment needs to support ME and frankly his job is to support whatever decision I make.

But at this stage, all my planning is for a birth centre birth so I am sticking with that option because even though it makes me more anxious than a homebirth, it doesn't completely terrify me (I will be staying home for as long as possible!!!!!) and the cost associated with engaging a HB midwife is too prohibitive for us. We simply do not have that kind of money. :(

Hopefully next time will be a different story. :thumbsup:

[LittleBoysRock]

I would consider one but am a bit scared that something might go wrong. My labour was very hard and I had a lot of intervention. I dont want this next time, I would prefer a drug free/complication free labour.

[tanni_83]

if i dont get to have a homebirth next time im opting for the next best thing being the birthing center :fingerscrossed: im going to be calling them as soon as i know my edd next time as, i didnt with elise and missed out by ONE SPOT :thumbsdown:

[youngbrismum]

Hi monyflex,

I am sorry to hear that your first birth was so difficult. My mum is a doula and so I hear all the hospital stories. She often comments that it is the intervention that causes the labour and birth to be more difficult than it has to be. Remember that if you decide to have a homebirth and something starts to go wrong you can always transfer to the hospital and your midwife would more than likely go with you. Even in the hospitals they can take longer than that to prepare for an emergency (eg. C-section).

Just explore all of your options.

[cosmic]

She often comments that it is the intervention that causes the labour and birth to be more difficult than it has to be.
I tend to agree!
(note: not knowing Monyfelix's situation of course.. just as a general comment about interventions. ;))

[WeThree]

If I ever have another child, I will definetly have a home birth. Reasons for not having one previously included finances and lack of midwives who perform such a service that are covered by insurance in my area. I also felt after a traumatice first birth that I better have my next one in hospital 'just in case' but since his birth and my next one after that went so fabulously, I would have no qualms about giving birth at home. :)

[Sarie]

A good midwife is everything. I've been lucky enough to have two great midwives, even though my 1st delivery was far from great, number 2 was fantastic. But number 3 will still be in a hospital. I think I still need the knowlegde of that safety net there. JMO

[MamaSage]

In WA there are govt funded homebirths through Community Midwifery Programme. Unfortunatley, I do not qualify as I have had a stupid caesarean. :banghead:
And to all of you saying the cost is a factor, why not use your baby bonus/maternity payment?

[the_queen]

I sometimes forget how extremely lucky I am.
Where I live, there is a Community Midwives Program, independant of any hospital, which is totally and completely free for anybody who lives in one of three specific council area's. I have a primary MW and a backup MW (both will be present at my homebirth) plus I also have a student following my case (I could have chosen not to have her, but she is lovely!) and I've had fantastic care from them. Last week's appointment (39 weeks) was done here in my home, as will this weeks and next weeks appointments (should they be required - please everyone fingers crossed for me that they won't be!!:fingerscrossed:)

And then when I go into labour, I page my MW (one or both of them are on call at all times so I can page them whenever I want for whatever reason, and they will call me back within 10 minutes). MW's will come to my house, examine me, and then we'll jointly make a decision about continuing with the homebirth or transferring to the hospital. They will assist with the birth, and then stay until I've done a wee afterwards, and then they'll leave us to it. If I do transfer to hospital, it will be because of complications. My MW's are both extremely pro-homebirth so they won't transfer me without very good reason. If I do end up at the hospital, they will still be there the whole time, and in fact have told me that they're quite prepared to physically kick OB's or hospy MW's out of the room if there's any kind of problem (eg not adhering to my birth plan, trying to coerce me into interventions etc.).
My main MW will visit us at home during the first 6 weeks (I think she said she'll come once a week, or it could be once a fortnight) to check out how breastfeeding is going, etc etc. She will still be "on call" for me 24 hrs a day during this time. She'll do my 6 week checkup at home, too.

This has cost me so far exactly zero. The end total cost to me will be ZERO. I have had blood tests and ultrasounds done at the hospital, also costing me absolutely nothing.

I don't mean to be rubbing this in everyone's face, I just realised how smug I possibly sound. That is not my intention here.
I think this program should be nation-wide, and every single woman in this country should be able to access a service such as this. I'm extremely sad that this is not the case.

[aardvark]

DH wasn't interested because he thought it would add up to more work for him at home, and because of the financial side of it. My teenage daughter was not very happy at the prospect, either. I think she thought it might inconvenience her, or disrupt her social schedule in the summer holidays.

The ultimate reason I chickened out was actually home renovations which were supposed to be well under way around my due date (scheduled by DH - I sense manipulaion here), and a homebirth with tradesmen around was not my idea of fun.

Needless to say the renovations are still underway, not having started until baby was 5 weeks old, and the only way I am staying sane is by visualising myself whacking the imcompetant project manager from the building firm over the head several times per day.

[cosmic]

And to all of you saying the cost is a factor, why not use your baby bonus/maternity payment?
Carlia, even having saved money by being given a cot and plenty of baby clothes, I have spent at least $1500 just on the carseat, pram and cloth nappies... then there was a new chest of drawers, baby bath, nappy buckets, blankets, clothes, change table, cot linen...

I've bought things pretty cheap (those first three items have been by biggest outlay) but still have to have spent at least $2000 on baby stuff. So that doesn't leave much of the $3000 maternity payment unfortunately. :(

[MamaSage]

I know Cosmic, it is expensive. But three years ago you would not have recieved $3000 or $4000. People had to buy that stuff anyway...

[cosmic]

I know! And the fact is, we have bought that stuff already so the money is spent without having received the baby bonus yet... the baby bonus is just going to help us pay off the credit card! :)

We are very grateful for the baby bonus to help out with these costs (that you quite rightly say we would have had anyway) because our financial situation has changed dramatically in recent years. We have moved to Sydney and bought a house (cost twice as much for half as much house as we had in Brisbane :thumbsdown: ) and given up 2 good wages to venture into self-employment. So at a time when money shouldn't be an issue for us, it really is.. and I'm sure it is for a lot of other people too.

[WeThree]

~ Carlia, If I was to ever have another child, this is probably what I would do, however when I had my second child this bonus was not yet in place, and when number 3 came around, there were still some things we needed it for, however seeing as we have everything we need now for babies, I would seriously consider using that money for that purpose (although DH would die if he knew i was even hypothetically talking about having another bubs!)

~ Queenie, you are indeed lucky, that sort of service should be available nation wide!!

[shed]

I can't use the baby bonus because its for the baby, not for me for just one day, especially since I am not working after that, so I will need that money to last.

And you dont get it till after the labour anyway. DP won't cough up for it and I can't afford it myself.

If we didn't get the baby bonus we would go without even more than we already will be.

[Briannabear]

I like the thought of homebirthing but there was a fear of the unknown for me. Luckily I was in a hospital in the end because I had complications.
I do think its a great thing though.

[MamaSage]

Its funny, I blame the hospital and me being there for my complications :rolleyes:

[shed]

Carlia, that's what I am afraid of happening!...interfering busybodies having to step in because my labour stops because I am freaking out about interfering busybodies having to step in...

At home I wouldn't have that situation because there are no busybodies to interfere, just a lovely supportive midwife.

I WANT A HOMEBIRTH!!! :(

[jarrahsmumma]

hey Shed you could always hire a Doula, to help you get the birth you want. This way when your in hospy you have someone there who can tell the drs what you do and dont wont (in case you're a bit tired/hazy with birth)

Also having strong Birthplan, what you definatley dont want and what you are open to.

I am lucky enough to be in WA and have been accepted in the CMP, to I will be able to birth this baby at home, in water and then be able to snuggle up to my kids and hubby without them having to go anywhere.:thumbsup:

I think if the CMP didn't exsist I would go to the birth centre, and maybe in the future look at freebirthing.

[mysonroger]

my strong birthplan is 'get the baby out safely no matter what it takes, and make me safe too'. however now i may have issues about reviving a baby who has been without oxygen for too long.
i've had two vac deliveries and i would be petrified of having a baby at home (with or without previous vac delivery). i want all the professionals at my disposal........

[reAllytee]

I always thought it was a great idea etc but was a little too scared to push for one.
Luckily i didnt because i needed help & my intervention otherwise bubs wouldnt be here nor would i.
So DP is now making sure i realise i need a c/s next time whether i like it or not lol & nearly falls over if i even mention homebirth anymore lol !

[becca74]

Dont know why I havent responded here before, strange lady that I am since I am going for a homebirth this time :rolleyes:

For my first 2 babies, I would never have considered homebirth, but after my 2nd, I started all my reading and searching for info on better birthing, and would have just LOVED a homebirth for my 3rd....

I voted financial reasons, as being a SAHM I am at my husband's financial mercy - had we had more money, I would have more likely put my foot down with him and demanded a homebirth.....

So, thank God for the Baby Bonus - the government is paying me $3,000 to bring this child into the world, and this time I will d*mn well spend MY earnings on a homebirth and a midwife :D

My husband has just had to sit back and agree :thumbsup: (though, through some slow and steady training on different levels, he now is comfortable with the idea ;) )

[Clarebear]

So, thank God for the Baby Bonus - the government is paying me $3,000 to bring this child into the world, and this time I will d*mn well spend MY earnings on a homebirth and a midwife


What a fantastic way to spend the money!! I wish you all the best Becca. Will your DH catch bubs?

DH and I laugh so hard when people drop their jaws when we say bubs was born in our loungeroom by candle light.
One lady even said quite shocked "Oh my goodness did you call the ambulance straight away?" lol To which I said "Nope, we snuggled into bed together and he had his first breastfeed" :thumbsup:

[becca74]

What a fantastic way to spend the money!! I wish you all the best Becca. Will your DH catch bubs?

DH and I laugh so hard when people drop their jaws when we say bubs was born in our loungeroom by candle light.
One lady even said quite shocked "Oh my goodness did you call the ambulance straight away?" lol To which I said "Nope, we snuggled into bed together and he had his first breastfeed" :thumbsup:


I want to try and catch bubs :D ....

I love the birth by candlelight, sounds so very beautiful - I want to have lots of candles :)

[homebirther]

Attention all homebirthers and future homebirthers and wish-I-was-a-homebirthers!

If you live in NSW, have your say in support of publicly funded homebirth when the NSW government consults the public as to health priorities for the next 20 years. See http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/futuresplanning/com_meeting.html for details of where meetings are being held over the next couple of weeks. If you can't make the meeting, send a submission. Details here: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/futuresplanning/yoursay.html.

I had a wonderful homebirth 3 months ago, my first baby, 4kg, posterior, totally drug- and intervention-free, and absolutely the most amazing day of my life. Wouldn't want it any other way, and although homebirth should be publicly funded, until we achieve that, if you can possibly afford the $3,800 (in my case), it's worth every cent.

[kymmy]

Ideally a homebirth would be great espeacially a water birth.
I think I wont though because I would hate to think of the mess...
That is the pro of the hospital- someone else cleans up
Next baby water birth:fingerscrossed:

[MamaSage]

Kymmy your midwife will clean up. :thumbsup: