Needing more advice info about midwife and home birth in Ipswich/Brisbane

[Sammie1986]

I have just found out I am about 6 wks along with #3 and am very interested in a home birth this time. I was wondering if anyone can give me any advise on cost of midwife and what I have to do to have a home birth. :)

[fai firinne]

Not far from you is an amazing doula called Claire Aslangul. I think she is in Ipswich. She is a dear friend as well as the most amazing doula. If you contact her, I think she would be perfectly placed to put you in touch with the local homebirth support groups, so you can meet and chat with other mums who have done it.

In terms of general info on having a homebirth, this site from the UK might be a useful resource:

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/

[Sammie1986]

Thank you so much for that. My GP told me to get a hold of the Antinatal clinic and see if they have someone they can refer me too aswell. I would really like a water birth so fingers crossed :)

[MamaBleech]

Claire IS amazing but she's on the Gold Coast. She does travel but you have to get in quick! Google Tranquility Birth.

Here is a list of midwives (http://www.homebirth.org.au/brisbanelist.htm).

[Sammie1986]

Thanks for that :)
Can either of you give me an idea on cost? Just to work it into our budget :)

[Miss_N]

Just HAD to say...CONGRATS!!!!! :goodvibes:

How exciting! :D

[MamaBleech]

Cost varies anywhere from $1500 - $5000 depending on the midwife and her services/your needs. Any midwife worth her salt will sit and work out a payment plan that suits you both. :)

[NonnyMouse]

My HB last year cost $4,000. This one has cost $3,500 (loyalty discount! LOL). I believe my middy has just put her fees up to $5,000 though due to the additional insurance costs now.

Payment was something like $2,000 at booking in, $1,000 at 26 weeks, and $the balance at 36 weeks or thereabouts.

[EquineMum]

Ummmm Nonny - aren't you sposed to be in labour hon?!?!?!? LOL! :laughing:

[NonnyMouse]

Ummmm Nonny - aren't you sposed to be in labour hon?!?!?!? LOL! :laughing:

Don't remind me! Damn baby not only can't read my memos but also has his/her brother's sense of humour. :rolleyes:

[EquineMum]

Don't remind me! Damn baby not only can't read my memos but also has his/her brother's sense of humour. :rolleyes:

Oh dear. Umm....sending EXIT thoughts your way. My DS did the same thing. It was like he pulled the plug....all the water drained out and then he looked down and went "oh Sh!t! You know what? I change my mind....I'm staying here...." and there he stayed for another two and a half days *sigh* Hope your new LO isn't half as stubborn!!! :laughing: Big :hugs:

[3blue&1pink]

Congrats Sammie :goodvibes: :smiliedance:

[Sammie1986]

Thanks Amy and Brooke :)
And Thanks MumaBleech and Nonny for the info.....and sending safe labour vibe to you Nonny :goodvibes:

[mixy]

Lets us know if you still need more info :) do you know there is a homebirth section here on BH?

[Lisa Marie]

Hi There,

Firstly, a big congratulations!!

You wouldn't be interested in having a student midwife along for the journey would you? I have never been to a water birth before and would dearly love to witness this. I would also hopefully make a lifelong friend in the process.

Just a little about me: I am 42 years old and a 2nd year midwifery student at the University of Queensland. I have attended 13 births so am quite at ease as to what takes place at a birth. I have a grown up child of my own and wish I had more, but not to be. I am quite a happy person and I am willing to help you get the birth you are after.

If you think you may be interested, I can send you some additional information through the mail. You can also contact me via email at lisa.godwin@uqconnect.edu.au

Again, a big congratulations to you and your family.

Kind regards,
Lisa

[Sammie1986]

Thanks again ladies for the info and Lisa that is a nice offer. I really do want to have a home birth but it is looking like it wont be possible because of the costs involved. As it is we have to buy a bigger car so it looks like it will be another hospital birth... :(

[AM]

Even if you have a hospital birth, it is a REALLY good thing to have an experienced doula as part of your support team.

I would personally recommend Claire Asalangul, and Liz Leys.

Two absolutely amazing women who know birth, trust women and are incredibly supportive and knowledgable.

I could go on for pages, but I wont.... :laughing:

All the best with your birth...

[Lisa Marie]

Hi Sammie,

I am so sorry you will not be able to have your home birth. I am sure this has disappointed you greatly. I know the costs are high as insurance is so expensive for midwives. It is such a shame.

No worries, if you would like to have a student along for the ride, home birth or hospital birth, I would be priveledged to be in attendance at your antenatal appointments, birth and postnatal appointments to offer you love and support. It really is a priveledge that I do not take for granted.

Kind regards,
Lisa :)

[Sammie1986]

All that really matters at the end of the day is that our baby arrives healthy and safe so it isnt too bad. My main issue is having to stay in hospital longer then I should for no reason. In a few years I may be able to experience it through someone else as It has been a long standing ambition of mine to become a midwife/Doula. Once the kids are off to school....so am I :)

[Thermolicious]

Sammie have you spoken to a MW about the payment plans they offer? Is that not an option?

[Sammie1986]

DF and I spoke about it in more detail and after all the usual bills etc, mortgage and soon a new car to pay off aswell.....all on 1 income there really isnt enough left over.
Also I forgot to reply to Lisa before. That would be nice. I am in Ipswich so If you would like to email me on sammiesmith86@hotmail.com that would be great :)

[Lisa Marie]

Thank you dearly Sammie. Just sent you a personla email.

Kind regards,
Lisa :)

[Sammie1986]

I just emailed back. Sorry for the late reply. :)

[mixy]

I am so sorry you will not be able to have your home birth. I am sure this has disappointed you greatly. I know the costs are high as insurance is so expensive for midwives. It is such a shame.

Hi Lisa :) i just thought you may be interested to know that the cost of a midwife has nothing to do with insurance as they dont have insurance. the cost is to cover all the work involved, and is worth every single cent :) xxoo

[puah]

Mixy midwives do have to pay insurance for antenatal and post natal care and this can be up to $7000.00. There is no insurance cover for birth at home but IM have and exemption from this until 2012. So not suprising that cost have gone up especially if they work in an area where their aren't many clients or they choose to do a small case load of women due to their own family committments. This insurance premium then needs to be recovered in the price of the midwifes services.

[puah]

Sammie,

Could you look at this as an investment in your future. Preparing and having a homebirth involves so much more responsiblility and means having to make sacrifices then the victory becomes ever sweeter IYKWIM.

Many midwives will have payment plans. You will be a better doula/midwife for the experience.

Do you really believe that all that matters is that the baby arrives healthy and it is not too bad ??? What does that mean ? I would never compromise on my birth I would walk on burning coals, swim flooded rivers, climb mountains to get what I wanted.

Where is the passion ? Dont give up on yourself or your baby you deserve the best.

[SaraJ]

Sammie,

Could you look at this as an investment in your future. Preparing and having a homebirth involves so much more responsiblility and means having to make sacrifices then the victory becomes ever sweeter IYKWIM.

Many midwives will have payment plans. You will be a better doula/midwife for the experience.

Do you really believe that all that matters is that the baby arrives healthy and it is not too bad ??? What does that mean ? I would never compromise on my birth I would walk on burning coals, swim flooded rivers, climb mountains to get what I wanted.

Where is the passion ? Dont give up on yourself or your baby you deserve the best.

I'm sorry but I couldnt read without posting.

I think your post was uncalled for.

I am all for positive birth experiences, homebirth, Midwives etc. However, if the costs that come with a Homebirth can't be afforded than a Family shouldn't be said to "giving up" because of this.

Sammie and her Husband make an active decision that although they would love to have a Homebirth, the costs were outside of their budget.

I think it was a little harsh that you should ask her "where her passion is?" because of this fact.

We all have to do what we have to do and we shouldnt be made to feel weak becauase of the decisions we are forced to make.

Again I'm sorry but I couldn't post without making you aware of this.




Sammie, I think only you and your family can know what is best for you. As long as you have made an educated decision and are happy with it...thats all that matters!

I wish you all the best!
x

[midwifemum]

Sammie have you looked into the midwifery group practice at Ipswich, one on one midwifery care and I think the possibility of having a water birth. Good luck :)