What does it cost to have a baby with a midwife?
For further information, contact Melissa Maimann at Essential Birth Consulting.
Generally, you can expect to pay between $4,000 and $5,000 for private midwifery care. However, you may claim $900 as a tax off-set, bringing the cost down to $4100 or $3100. Some health funds provide a benefit for midwifery, up to $3000.
Some people comment that this sounds expensive. Most midwives would prefer you not let money be the deciding factor for getting the support you need. Call a midwife to discuss a flexible arrangement.
I have prepared the following information to explain how the services are broken down. Hospital and Home birth services are very comprehensive, and private midwives spend many hours with women and their families, building a strong relationship during the pregnancy that carries through to the birth and beyond. Typical private midwifery services consume a whopping 86 hours of a midwife’s time, assuming 1 hour of travel to and from your home, 13 antenatal visits, 5 postnatal visits, and of course labour and birth attenance.
PLUS
On-call – 24 / 7 for 5 weeks (no drinking, no weekends away ….)
Phone and email consultations
Research
Attending related appointments with clients (eg going with you while you have an ultrasound, seeing a doctor with you if your pregnancy is high risk)
Professional consultation with other professionals on the client’s behalf (eg midwifery consultation, medical consultation)
As you can see, the service provided by a private / independent midwife is comprehensive and does not compare easily with other maternity services in terms of continuity of care, hours of contact, follow-up and availability. When you choose a private / independent midwife for your pregnancy and birth, you are choosing gold standard service.
As you can understand, when midwives provide this level of service, it is impossible to book more than two or three clients each month. I could see women in a clinic setting for 30 minute appointments – that would eliminate my travel time and cut down consultation time – but I know that you’re after a service that really meets your needs, in your home, when you need it.
Some women ask me whether I will provide reduced services such as no postnatal care, one or two antenatal visits, a late booking, and so on, in order to reduce the cost. I strive to provide a comprehensive service and stand by the quality of care that I provide. Women who book with me see the value in this approach. If I charged less, I simply would not be able to put the time and care in to your pregnancy and birth. Private midwifery for hospital or home birth is an investment in you and your baby, afterall. And you deserve the very best.
Melissa Maimann, Essential Birth Consulting 0400 418 448
