[mewsings]

I know this is not what you want to hear but I had a homebirth in Perth and it was completely free

I've had two in Perth - can't speak highly enough of the CMP.

OP - I feel for you. Is there any chance your midwife can enter a shared care arrangement via the hospital ? I'm not even sure if that brings the costs down for you.

[fordmum]

I am having my 4th child this year. My first was an 'emergency' caesar at a private hospital. My 2nd was with a private midwife (approx $4000) because I saw no other option if I'd wanted a VBAC. My 3rd was with the same midwife ($4000) because I'd had GD with the 2nd and knew I'd be bullied in the public hospital system. Now it's time for me to have the 4th and I would have a homebirth in a heartbeat if it was free, but it's not! Adding up the costs of just the birth for 3 children is giving me a heart attack, and the worst thing is that my first private hospital experience (unpleasant and unnecessary caesar) was the cheapest of them all ($2000 out of pocket).

Now I think midwives deserve all that they earn and more, I wouldn't grudge them their proper pay. But why does my caesar happy obstetrician get paid quadruple that amount and my medical insurance covers it? Urgh. So unhappy that in the end it all comes down to the finances. To top it off when I was at the local public hospital to check it out, and talked to the obstetrician, he said that a hospital birth is exactly the same as a homebirth just with emergency care nearby!!! So angry. How would he know? Had he ever had a homebirth or even been to one? If he had, then he would realise that it is completely different. Completely!

You are right. Your caesar happy obstetrician would have no idea about homebirth and most would argue that they are not safer. But there are more deaths in hospitals than homebirths. More to the point it is about the journey and the journey for mother and baby is supposed to be a beautiful one.

Homebirth is less stressful and is at yours and the baby's pace. You can have whoever you want at home during the labour including any other children, parents, parents-in-law and/or doula - the choice is yours.

As for a homebirth not being free - no it is not but it is claimable on tax (it comes under T9 - Tax offsets - 20% tax offset on medical expenses over the threshold amount. And just so you know this also goes for all those medicines that are not covered by the PBS or are above the PBS amount. So do not forget to keep records of all receipts (in a kraft envelope and add it up on the outside of the envelope) for things like paracetamol, ibuprofen, cough mixtures, lozenges, vitamins, specialist appointments, ointments, sunscreen (required to prevent skin cancer), spectacles, dentist, etc. Anything that is medical related can be claimed on your tax return. You will not get everything back but anything over the amount for a single/family is returned to you at ??20c/50c in the dollar (something like that).

I hope you make the choice you want as it is your journey and you have to be happy with your decision. Good luck.

[smelliecat]

It's free in Darwin too.

[smelliecat]

It's free in Darwin too.