Private/independent midwife - thoughts?

[SarahinOxford]

Trying to conceive my 2nd at the moment - gave birth to my 1st in the UK after having the first six months of my pregnancy in Paris. While I think the JR in Oxford is fab, I never saw the same midwife twice at my (quite busy) GP's surgery because of sick leave and locums etc, so I had to explain my background every single time I went. And my fave GP there has retired anyway!

This time around I was thinking of getting an independent midwife. They're all about 3.5k here, but from what I can gather, it's well worth it.

I plan to give birth in hospital again and had meptid and an epidural last time with great success, so while I wouldn't say I'm 100% pro pain medication, I am by no means going to struggle on without if I feel I need it.

So while I wouldn't need her to take me through an unmedicated home birth (which would seem to be the main selling point of an IM), I'm keen to have continuity of care and love the idea of having care in my own home.

Any thoughts? Did you have an independent midwife?

If you want to have a hospital birth then you'd need to see whether any of the independent midwives have an honorary contract to enable them to deliver you - most don't IME.

But they generally can come with and be your "doula" - also means you don't need to go into hospital until fairly late on...

I had an (unplanned) hospital birth, supported by my private midwife. I'm still pleased that I had her because of the continuity of care offered ante and post natally. IMO this is the big difference with an independent midwife- getting to know the same person, having a familar person to call upon when there's a problem and having someone to take time with you to explain things and establish breastfeeding.

I'm planning an ELCS next time (had EMCS last time) but will still employ my independent midwife for ante and postnatal care.

Good luick

I had one and it was the best money we've spent. I say that as someone who planned to have a drug free homebirth and ended up in hospital with an epidural. I never for one moment felt that the money had been a waste because of being in hospital for the birth.

The antenatal and postnatal care was fantastic and I think the main reason why I haven't had PND this time round.

The other benefit I found was that the midwives really let dd1 be involved (listening to heartbeat, etc) and it helped a lot in preparing her for having a baby sister.

I had IMW for my DC2 and they really helped me relax into my pregnancy after a difficult-ish pregnancy and difficult birth with DD. They were fab and really make the experience special.

Currently expecting DC3 and again am so glad to have my IMW, they are the best money I have spent and worth every penny