Home birth is a safe, considered and responsible decision. Homebirth is a great option for women who:

• Are well and who are having a healthy pregnancy
• Prefer a more natural, relaxed, comfortable, stress-free experience
• Are actively working towards health and wellbeing
• Prefer to build a relationship with their own midwife, that is based on trust and care

Why choose homebirth?

Many women find that the privacy and security of their own home provides the ideal supportive, comfortable, safe environment for them to birth in. This does help to reduce stress hormones which inhibit the labour and increase the "normal" hormones conducive to a good labour and birth experience.

Other women homebirth because they wish to involve their partner and other children, or prefer to reduce the chance of intervention in their labour.

A number of scientific studies have looked into the safety of homebirth - all research has found that for healthy, low-risk women, midwife-attended homebirth is a safe option.

What if Something Goes "Wrong" at Home?

This is actually quite rare, as the qualified midwife is very competent and capable in detecting variations in the pregnancy.  Sometimes the midwife will recommend hospital birth ahead of time, with safety in mind.  If a serious  issue arose during labour, the midwife would manage the issue and supervise transfer to hospital, staying with the woman and continuing care and support to ensure a satisfactory experience and outcome for the woman and her baby.

Midwives who birth with women at home are educated and experienced to assess the wellbeing of mother and baby throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth and the postnatal / neonatal period.  The College of Midwives Guidelines for Referral and Consultation are used to support clinical decision-making in consultation with the Client.

What can we expect to pay for a homebirth?

Families are now able to pay an hourly rate for private midwifery care. This flexible approach to payment has several advantages for families:

• The service is more affordable
• Payment amounts are smaller, allowing for easier budgeting
• Families pay for what they use, need or want
  
• There are lots of optional extras for families who prefer a more detailed service
• Families are more in control of the service

Alternatively, a set fee is available for families who prefer this option.  Please contact Melissa on 0400 418 448 to discuss your options.

Fees for private midwifery may be claimed through the Net Medical Expenses Tax Offset and some Private Health funds.