Freebirthing to me means free as in no charge

[mummycloud]

Freebirth used to just mean unassisted birth to me, but since trying to organise my homebirth and realising I can't afford an IM and am out of the catchment zone for a public homebirth, I am going to birth on my own for free.

My DH says if something goes wrong he will never forgive me.. well blame the government instead, because women should be allowed to have a HB no matter what their financial circumstances are. It should be accessible to EVERYONE!!!

Oh and a public hospital birth is also a freebirth, but I am having mine at home LOL

[Boobycino]

Best wishes. <3 do you have someone to support you (who is supportive?) in labour?

[mummycloud]

Yes I have a dear friend who also happens to be a doula (I am also) and hopefully she will make it to me in time...although it will be a 45 minute taxi ride.
I am pretty nervous, but I would rather cut off my left leg with a butter knife than birth in hospital.

[Boobycino]

Awesome :)

I hope your DH can become more comfortable with your choice.

I'm planning a hospital birth, I would have preferred a HBAC but can't afford a midwife, and definitely not confident to freebirth.

It does suck that home birthing isnt an 'option' for some (lots) of mums.

[mummycloud]

I really feel for you. I am actually angry for you because a VBAC is far more achievable at home. I hope the staff at your hospital really listens to your requests and allows you the best opportunity.

[DQ]

Can you make arrangements with any of your local IM's??

My last homebirth, my midwife and I agreed on a reduced fee, I saw her less and went to hospital visits in between (as much as it pained me to do so :rolleyes:)

[mummycloud]

I am so tight for cash I wouldn't want to even ask for a payment plan I can stick to, out of fear of insulting her. :no:

[mummycloud]

Oh I have been having GP visits and getting referral for radiologists and pathologists. Eventually I will need to book into a hospital for regular antenatal visits though.

[Boobycino]

Yeah, I've been told the obs at the hospital I'm going to are up to date and pro choice on birthing after a csection. But planning vbac meant I couldn't go to the birth centre and have my own midwife, have a water birth etc which I'm pretty miffed about.

I'm planning to just turn up, push out a baby and go home anyway *touch wood*

I have thought about hiring a doula though, or an IM who can assist me in hospital. Now that I'm working I might have a little extra cash for something like that. Just not a lazy $5000.

[lj80]

hi boobycino what hosptial are you planning on birthing at?
im new to even considering a homebirth and the research ive done it looked like a home birth would be about $2500 not $5000 eep so much to learn. i have an appointment with an IM on monday so hopfully i can get a better idea on what to do

[mummycloud]

Lj80, I will be birthing at home but getting antenatal checks at The Angliss.
If you are near Casey hospital they have a homebirth program which is public and free. I am out of the catchment for there.
When getting homebirth midwives, you have to pay for a back up midwife also. So it's $2,500 each.

[the girls mum]

Awesome :)

I hope your DH can become more comfortable with your choice.

I'm planning a hospital birth, I would have preferred a HBAC but can't afford a midwife, and definitely not confident to freebirth.

It does suck that home birthing isnt an 'option' for some (lots) of mums.


Yeah, I've been told the obs at the hospital I'm going to are up to date and pro choice on birthing after a csection. But planning vbac meant I couldn't go to the birth centre and have my own midwife, have a water birth etc which I'm pretty miffed about.

I'm planning to just turn up, push out a baby and go home anyway *touch wood*

I have thought about hiring a doula though, or an IM who can assist me in hospital. Now that I'm working I might have a little extra cash for something like that. Just not a lazy $5000.

Booby - where abouts are you again?

My doula (who is fantastic fyi if you are on sunny coast!) is $1100 - $300 deposit when you book her and then she is comfortable for you to pay the rest off however you wish - only proviso is its paid by the time you are 36 weeks - I just direct deposit $50 or $100 a week into her account.

She is awesome and is coming to my house and is fully aware I want to labour her till the last throes haha.

I feel much more confident with her coming to hospy with me as she knows exactly what I do and dont want and will speak for me - hubby is very relieved also having her there.

Anyway if you ARE on the sunny coast let me know and I will forward you the website - x

[Lillynix]

At this stage i'm planning a Freebirth as well, but for different reasons.

I totally agree with you that ALL birth choices should be supported and affordable in this Country, but sadly it's just not the case and it's only going to get worse :(

I really would try contacting a few IM's and ask about payment plans, some IM's are happy to accept payment plans from the Baby Bonus installments made after bub is born, perhaps this may be an option for you?

Freebirthing is something that one shouldn't be forced to do out of circumstance, rather something one does because it feels right for them. I'm glad you have some great support from your Doula and I hope that you have a wonderful birth, no matter whether you homebirth with your Doula or have an IM with you :hugs:

[kymmy]

So sorry that you are in this situation. I chose to have a freebirth two times and never 'paid' for any of my births (3 in hospital). I couldn't really afford an independent midwife but thankfully I didn't want one. Its very upsetting that women have so little choice.

[AM]

When getting homebirth midwives, you have to pay for a back up midwife also. So it's $2,500 each. I'm not sure if this has changed, but this was definitely NOT the case with my homebirths, my mw worked in with another mw, and they would back eachother up if need be, it was simply a private arrangement between themselves so a birthing woman would be sure to have a mw at her birth. I only paid for my primary mw.