Birth is recognised as one of the most significant life events in a woman's life, and who she selects to accompany her on that journey is crucial to her sense of wellbeing and satisfaction afterwards as she reflects on her recent birthing experience.

Many women prefer to birth their babies in hospital, either in the delivery suite or the birth centre, but they also would much prefer to be sure of the midwife they are going to have with them when they go into labour.  Understandably this is nearly impossible to provide through the general hospital system, so some women prefer to search out their own private midwife, so they can communicate with, get to know, develop a good trusting relationship based on respect and integrity with the midwife of their own choosing.

Will I Benefit from having my own Private Midwife?

Yes, without a doubt!

Ask any new mother "Would you have liked to have had your own private midwife throughout your pregnancy birth and first weeks at home with your baby?" and there is an extremely strong chance she will emphatically reply - YES!

Private midwifery care is available for women in the greater Sydney region who are birthing in any setting whether it be in a hospital delivery suite, birth centre or in their own home.

Women especially benefit from private midwifery care if they have:

• A high risk pregnancy (or previous high risk pregnancy)
• Plan a VBAC
• Twins
• A previously traumatic birth
• Or simply want to have the best opportunity to have the natural birth that our bodies are designed to have.  Of course, safety is never compromised.

Together, we explore the family's goals for pregnancy and birth, focusing on making the birth as positive and as healthy as possible.  Essential Birth Consulting understands that no two women are the same, so services are tailored to your needs.

"Will you do birth support?  We have arranged for midwifery / obstetric care and we just want you to support us at the birth."

Yes! Families can have two antenatal consultations, birth support, and then follow-up with one postnatal consultation. Of course, additional consultations are always available if needed or preferred.

An hourly fee may be paid to enable families to use as much or as little of the service as they require.

"I have a doctor.  How does it work if I see a private midwife for care as well?"

Yes, pregnancy, birth and postnatal care may be provided by a private midwife in addition to private obstetric care.

• Pregnancy: families will benefit from childbirth education, birth preparation (emotional and mental preparation for birth), birth planning, emotional support and access to resources.
  
• Labour: professional care may be offered in the family's home, providing additional safety and reassurance. When you feel ready, we leave for hospital where your midwife will continue to provide care, advice and support.
• After the baby arrives: families benefit from mother and baby care, breastfeeding support and birth debriefing.

Please see here for information about what the service includes.

"I'm going through the hospital.  How does it work if I see a private midwife?"

• After an initial consultation (booking) at the hospital, some women opt to have their ongoing pregnancy care in their home with a private midwife.  We can take our time addressing the things that matter to you.  Your midwife will liaise closely with the hospital throughout your pregnancy.
  
• When labour starts, we can labour at home until you feel ready to go to hospital. In hospital, your private midwife provides advice, physical and emotional support, guidance and advocacy to see that the birth plan is respected and maintained without a fuss.
• After your baby arrives, we may leave hospital as soon as you feel ready and continue care in the privacy of your home.

Please see here for information about what the service includes and fees.

So ... what are the benefits to you, of having a private midwife for your hospital or birth centre birth experience?

	Hospital birth with a private midwife	Hospital birth without a private midwife
Choice and continuity of care provider		Only available to 3% women nationally
Emotional support and advocacy		Limited; hospital staff must follow hospital policies and hospital-employed midwives typically care for 2-3 labouring women at the same time.
Highest chance of natural birth (no induction, epidural, forceps, vcacuum, caesarean)	~ 87%	< 40% (as low as 3%)
Minimal intervention during pregnancy and birth
Lowest chance of caesarean	6%	31%+ (up to 46%)
Lowest chance of episiotomy	0%	15%
Lowest chance of forceps or vacuum	5%	12%
Highest chance of VBAC	86%	12% (as low as 2%)
Highest chance of vaginal twin or breech birth
Lowest rate of epidural	3%	44% (as high as 87%)
Highest rates of breastfeeding
Lowest rate of postnatal depression
Lowest rate of birth trauma