Advice on booking a private midwife

[TheCollection]

From reading mumsnet, a lot of women are v. positive about the experience of having had a private midwife. I was wondering if you had any concrete advice: how far in advance do you have to book one, what is the best way to find one, etc? Anybody had one and regretted the expense?

I would say start looking a soon as you are confident of your pregnancy for two reasons. Some may be getting booked up very quickly and you want to get the full benefit of the continuity of care and in depth antenatal care/advice.
There is a website for independent midwives where you can find those that are local to you www.independentmidwives.org.uk, that's how I found mine anyway. (I did not regret my decision by the way).

Hi TheCollection!

I booked mine just before I turned 16 weeks. I searched on the site rubles has linked to and contacted a couple (only 2 were close enough for me to feel comfortable with). One of them I already knew from a childbirth group I go to and we went with her (the other didn't reply until after we'd booked cos she was away).

I too would book asap not only to ensure you can find one available but also to get the maximum benefit from it.

I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. It is the best thing I've done. I know that no matter what happens later in my pregnancy or during the birth (e.g. if I end up going into hospital for any reason) that I won't regret spending the money.

Personally I would have a good chat with each on the phone and then have a consultation with the one you like best (usually a charge for this). Ask that person all the questions you have, what's included in the price, etc and make sure you're happy with that choice. If you're unsure have a consultation with the next favourite iyswim. I think it is very important you feel comfortable with your choice.

Tbh the lack of stress, the one hour antenatal visits, the discussion and balanced information (as opposed to 'trust policy') and the continuity of care are worth so much. I also know that the postnatal care is far, far superior to that offered by the NHS - visits every day in the first week, every other day in the second week, and so on.

Also with the ones I've booked it's an all-inclusive price so if I need extra visits for any reason they'll come out, it doesn't cost me any more and I feel very very supported (I've already had 3 extra visits related to me feeling down & anxious and 1 meeting at the hospital for a birth debrief).

SO how much does it actually cost?

I'm not sure what the full range is but I think 2.5k to 3.5k??

Yeah something like that. I have a friend who has got hers for somewhere between 1.5k and 2k but she booked late and only gets 3 a/n visits, the birth and 2 p/n visits. I think most though still want to charge full fee whenever you book them.

I second all the above - ours cost £3.5k which is but we figured we'd just not go on holiday for a couple of years, and to be honest its the best money I've ever spent and I totally wish I'd had one first time round. I've not even given birth yet, but I've been so supported and so much less stressed this pregnancy than my last one, its been fab!

The best £2.8k I ever spent, and if I have another baby I will do it again and go without so we can afford it.

I would book early as they only take on so many clients a year. September is especially busy.

Where are you? People can recommend if they are in the same area as you.

Mine is £3,250 for the whole package (in London).

Some of them do charge per visit and I imagine that those midwives are good if you are booking later in pregnancy.

I'm only 14 weeks and so far it's working out. I really like having long ante-natal checks (as many as I need) and the support of people who believe I can do this. I booked at 8 weeks- my ladies were nearly booked up. I found them through google, but then it turned out that lots of people who I asked had heard of them. Even the midwife at the GP suggested them when I went to discuss my options.

ours was priceless, very few mw 'allowed' by policy or experienced enough in hostials to resolve the shoulder dystocia we had with ds2. £3k, and booked at 35 weeks when i cou;dn't take the nhs fnck ups anymore. just called my way through teh same indy websitre as rubles, two were available, 1st one i saw was the one i chose.

Agree with you merryberry - also shoulder dystocia, brilliantly and calmly dealt with by IM.

Best money I ever spent.

Thanks guys, this is all very encouraging - especially merryberry managing to book one at 35 weeks! (I'm 23 weeks, and for reasons I don't want to bore you with have to wait for at least another couple of weeks before I can book one...) Thanks rubles for the link.