Private midwife

[NatGee]

In the last few weeks I have pretty much made my mind up about hiring a birth partner for my planned homebirth as I have little faith in how the NHS can support me during my labour. I've interviewed doulas, with midwifery background, but was disappointed to learn they don't really employ the experience they have in helping to pinpoint (diagnose) issues that may arise on the day so I am now considering going down the private midwife route. Is anyone else on the same boat or indeed used a private midwife in the past? Id love to hear your experience

How did you get on? Did you hire one in the end? Also considering the same for my Hospital birth as services up here are so poor.

@LadyofLaundry88 I ended up finding an excellent doula with medical training so i felt comfortable going with her. I did speak with a private midwife but I didnt like some things she said for example, I dont want continuous monitoring but she said she had to do it.
I think finding a privated midfwife is a good route if all youre after is the the continuity of care and the guarantee that a midwife will be there on the day but if youre after somoeone who is a little freer then do look into an independent midwife instead. Good luck

Ah interesting thanks for sharing, did you have the doula with you for appointments through out your pregnancy or only for the birth? Do you know what kind of medical training she had?

My doula didnt come with me to appointments, i didnt ask but id like to think we could have come to that arrangement. We did all our antenatal courses with her including first aid and hypnobirthing and she was there for the birth too, so we received complete accompaniment. In terms of medical training, it so happened she is a paramedic by profession but its important to remember that in her capacity as a doula she didnt exercise her role as a paramedic. I found it reassuring because her medical background enabled her to spot red flags better than someone who isnt maybe. Hope that makes sense?

Thanks so much for your message, how was it having her with you for the birth, my assumption is it would feel a bit crowded but then Id also appreciate the reliable support.
Where the hospital/midwives ok with her being there?

She was really good and i felt reassured by her presence. Where theres no continuity of care on the nhs, she was a constant, familiar face who knew me and my wishes.
The midwives asked and were told whod be there with me in advance but they have no say over who is there on the day, its your choice entirely. I had two mws, doula and my husband and it didnt feel crowded at all.