Why aren't healthy babies aren't enough for some mothers? (Competitive birthing).

**AllYouNeedIsLove** · 20-06-2012 22:08

Our local public hospital now does homebirths at no cost, yay!! But too late for me twos my limit

**BigRedV** · 20-06-2012 22:10

My local hospital has a homebirth program too, but it doesn't interest me.

They also offer a program where you see the same midwife throughout pregnancy and birth, no ob required

**4underfour** · 20-06-2012 22:24

I'm tired of this.
Thanks for the discussion, it's opened my eyes to some interesting opinions

**AllYouNeedIsLove** · 20-06-2012 22:26

I never saw an ob with either of my pregnancies or births. Didnt even see a dr after 12 weeks midwives did it all and for the most part were brilliant. The only doctor i saw inspected me for tears after ds accidental freebirth in the car, ignoring my protests and didn't once introduce herself

**Momkey** · 20-06-2012 22:29

Originally Posted by Kimberleygal1

Wow that's a lot to be out of pocket. Did you not have private health cover. I was out of pocket $900 both times and that was my obs fee for management during pregnancy.

Was that recently because medicare hardly cover anything now and private health only covers in-hospital. So I was out of pocket about $4000 with a pretty expensive ob. $7000 out of pocket seems like a lot but $900 is so so low. My mid pregnancy planning fee is $2600 alone and Medicare cover about $200 of that. Add ultrasounds etc. will be at least $4000 out of pocket with top private health cover!

**Kadorite** · 20-06-2012 22:55

Originally Posted by 4underfour

How much does a midwife charge for a homebirth by the way?

It varies. Some IM's work alone, others prefer to have a backup midwife as well. Some will defer payment until you receive your baby bonus. Anywhere from $2k-$5k.

**Lillynix** · 20-06-2012 23:06

Originally Posted by 4underfour

How much does a midwife charge for a homebirth by the way?

My IM charged no more than $1600, that was for all antenatal, postnatal care plus the labour/birth.

She missed my labour/birth so only charged $1200.

Generally speaking though, anywhere between $3500-$5000 is normal for a homebirth.

*I can haz typos*

**MsMummy** · 20-06-2012 23:11

Originally Posted by 4underfour

How much does a midwife charge for a homebirth by the way?

Mine is $2600 for the birth (2 midwives), $800 booking fee, about $75 per antenatal and $120 per post natal. Medicare pay for most of the antenatal and postnatal, but not the booking fee or birth.