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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Independent midwife questions

28 replies

Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 10:27

Hi ladies, I haven't posted in ages but I'm looking for some experiences/opinions now I'm expecting a longed for dc2. Early days, far too early to be freaking out about midwife care but it's bugging me so I'm researching now!

Dc1 was born at home with no pain relief after a short efficient labour, birth pool, no blood loss, placenta no problems, fantastic doula. Only problem was the NHS midwives were loud/shouty/rude/ignored birth plan/then did an examination without consent which still upsets me. I've had my booking appt and my cmw (same one as prev pregnancy) says things will be different this time. But I don't see how they can promise that.

So I'm seriously interested in using a IM. I know cost is about £4k, which is a lot of money but ultimately we can do it if I work some more shifts this summer and skip the holidays next year.

So I guess those who've done it, what do you think?

Thanks a million xxx

OP posts:
Pandasandmonkeys · 10/02/2015 14:56

I did! The best money I've ever spent. I couldn't recommend it enough.

Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 15:36

Aww yeah no one seems to regret spending the money x

OP posts:
Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 15:36

Did you home birth pandas?

OP posts:
Pandasandmonkeys · 10/02/2015 15:44

Yes I did - it was amazing. The midwives I had were incredible

Pandasandmonkeys · 10/02/2015 16:44

If you're in the general London/southeast area, feel free to inbox me if you want their contact details

Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 17:24

No I'm midlands based, I'm starting to see it as a really nice treat for myself, that's probably wrong!

OP posts:
Shedding · 10/02/2015 17:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 17:37

Not sure what is 121 midwives?

OP posts:
Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 17:38

Middle midlands, sorry I realised I hadn't answered the question!

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anothergenericname · 10/02/2015 17:42

In the middle of IM care at the moment. Thank. Fucking. God. I adore these women. They really listen to what I'm saying and they even hear the things I'm not saying.
If they reach as far as you then I can't recommend the Oxfordshire Midwifery Practice highly enough

Shedding · 10/02/2015 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 17:51

Thanks another that's nice to hear :) are they ultra pro natural birth (because that's what I want)

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Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 17:53

Oh that sounds amazing shedding but I think I'm too far south Hmm

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Pandasandmonkeys · 10/02/2015 17:54

I got exactly the birth I wanted, I was high risk too, but they made the birth I wanted a reality in a very safe, and carefully monitored way. Their care was second to none and I'd never go back to the nhs for maternity care again. The one-to-one midwives sound great, I'd have considered that if that operated in my area but sadly not.

Pandasandmonkeys · 10/02/2015 17:55

Try this site to find an IM in your area
www.imuk.org.uk

WiIdfire · 10/02/2015 18:01

Just be careful because many independent midwives are not insured. This means that if there are problems, you would not have the option of monetary compensation unless they are personally very rich, which you would have using an NHS midwife.

Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 18:21

Says on IMuk they all have mandatory indemnity insurance

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Pandasandmonkeys · 10/02/2015 18:29

They are insured. The chair of imuk was my midwife! I had a lot of conversations with her and her colleague about it. There's a lot of mis information about IMs; I had one NHS midwife tell me that they were illegal and I couldn't receive their care!

Original poster
Beesandbutterflies · 10/02/2015 18:32

Shock At illegal! FFS

OP posts:
Pandasandmonkeys · 10/02/2015 18:58

I was Shock too!!

WiIdfire · 10/02/2015 21:02

Well I take it back then, if they are now able to get insurance. It used to be a problem, but perhaps not any more. They're definitely not illegal though!!

anothergenericname · 10/02/2015 21:05

Yeah, they're all insured. I think Wildfire is dealing with out of date information.

I think all IMs are big supporters of natural, normal birth, but when it comes right down to it they just want to support their client (note: client, not 'patient') to get the birth that they want and to achieve whatever is important to them. They are incredibly well informed though and as a general rule do have more homebirths than hospital births, because they are experts in 'normal' birth.

Please do ask me any questions, here or via PM, if you want to know more.

anothergenericname · 10/02/2015 21:08

re: insurance - neighbourhood midwives can't get insurance for HBACs, other IMs can. Just FYI if you've had a CSec and wanted to have a VBAC

AHatAHatMyKingdomForAHat · 10/02/2015 21:08

I had 3 DC, all at home with IM. Best money I ever spent. Highly recommended if you can afford it.

anothergenericname · 10/02/2015 21:08

And sorry for the x post Wildfire. It was resolved in, um, October 2014 I think, but there was some doubt for a long time before that