Independent Midwives - who's had one and was the money worth it?

[Boobz]

Hi all

I am thinking of having a homebirth and an independent midwife to help me have the homebirth I want. Who here has hired one, how much did they cost and were they worth the money?

Anyone got any personal recommendations for South London independent MWs?

Or any advice on the subject at all?

Thanks!

I did when I was pregnant with dd4 (now 2.5). It was definitely well worth the money (£2000) as I was able to have a home-birth after having a c-section nearly 3 years previously to that. I was faced with giving birth on the consultant unit and all the monitoring that they would have felt neccessary . I also didn't feel confident with the community m/w connected to our doctor's surgery. Have you looked at the Independent Midwives Association website?

Yes I am on there now, sifting through all those closest to my post code. The website with testimonials I like the most is £4000 though! Think my husband will flip at that.

Where are you based? £2000 sounds much more reasonable...

I'm in Dorset. I didn't get in touch with her though until I was about 6 months pg so I don't know if the price reflects that?

I did. I had shared care between 2 IMs, it cost £2,975 and was worth every penny. I'm in Hants.

I didn't sign up till I was 36 weeks. DD was suspected breech, which polarised the choice for us to CS or homebirth with experienced IMs.

Even if DD had been cephalic, I think we'd have done the same thing - I had the best birth experience of anyone I know. The antenatal care was great (I only wish I'd done it sooner), but I think it was having so much support post natally that was really worth the money.

I'd call them up and talk to them - its how well you get on with them that's important. If DH really does wince at the price, its worth considering whether you could offer part payment in kind of any sort - one of mine was desperate for decorators, for example.

I seem to have picked the most expensive one! I will give them a call and see what they say about paying over 12 months or something - that feels a lot more do-able.

I had one and she was wonderful - I actually had a hospital birth but wanted a connection with my midwife and meeting someone different at each visit didn't give me that......

Mine was £3200 and I am based in Buckhurst Hill.......can fully recommend her if thats not too far from you?

Hi Nath - thanks for the rec but I think Essex is a little too far away from me. Am going to call some of the ones I have found up this morning, and see if they can do spread payments...

We have an independant midwife well 2 of them this time around, I found them through the IMA but then got a personal local recommendation about them too, it is costing £3000 and we are in Surrey. Am really hoping for a home VBA3C!

www.midwiferypractice.com

Hi Boobat - your rec was about 5th on my list in terms of closeness to my location. I'm just not sure how far they come out, but since you have had a personal rec, I will contact them and see if I'm close enough.

Thanks!

How long have you been using them - i.e. are you in the first trimester?

Boobz - sorry with the delay in replying was away for the weekend!

I am now nearly 24 weeks and got them at about 18/19 weeks I think. Have had 3 appointments so far where they come to my house to suit me and my husband/children.

What I also like about it is that they will come with us to our consultant appointment/s to fight our case because everyone seems to assume I am just going to have a section this time.

We have Marsha and Rachel on that site. Hope you have some luck in finding someone.

Thanks Boobat -- I'm not sure if I can afford the IM route after all, so think that I might give it a shot this time without one, and then think about it for the second one...