home births in wa

[jevans5]

Has anyone experienced a home birth in or around the Perth metropolitan area? If so, how much did it cost to have a private midwife and what was the experience like? Would you recommmend it? I am thinking of going for a water birth and was shocked and dismayed that the hospitals do not provide such an option!

[MamaSage]

We are lucky in Perth to have the Community Midwifery Programme, which is funded by the govt for women who are not high risk (VBAC, twins, breech) The website is being upgraded at the moment, but just give them a call if you are interested. They are in Ledderville and Fremantle and service the entire Perth metro area.
You could also hire an independant midwife away from the scheme, this can cost between $2000 and $5000 as a vary rough figure.
Community Midwifery Programme hire birth pools for your birth - I am not sure if they hire them to women using an independant MW.
(FWIW, the local hospital near me is looking inot allowing women to bring a pool to the hospital, which is great. It will still be a while off, but at least they are trying!)

[becca74]

I recently had my homebirth in Perth....tho I had an independant midwife, there is the The Community Midwifery service, as Carlia has mentioned. Because I hired an independant midwife, it cost me $2500. I believe this has gone up considerably though, because the baby bonus increased. I do know my midwife can come to special arrangements though, if money is an issue. If you want her number, pm me.

Community Midwifery WA website: http://www.communitymidwives.org.au/

My WA homebirth was lifechanging, awesome, brilliant, beautiful, amazing, mind-blowing etc etc etc......:smiliedance:

I say go for it!!

[spiritedfamily]

I can vouch for both a homebirth with an independent midwife and through the CMP.

Both avenues offer excellent service and expertise...I have been very blessed to have my independent midwife on the program...which mean't after hiring her for the first, she was available through the free birth program for the other births.

I have had waterbirths for all my births and the program offered the hire of the birth pool and so did my idependent midwife...it depends on the midwife as to whether she offers it...

I think the most important thing is that you are comfortable with your midwife, that you feel you can trust her with this important stage in your life. Having a baby is your experience and you would want to find a midwife who willl help you be yourself in the process...as when you are in labour, its so important you have calm and supportive people around you. I see it like a football team needing supporters to egg them on to win the game...except much quieter...I'm not sure you want your midwife cheering "give me a J" ....LOL..

good luck:thumbsup: ...feel free to pm me if you want