Homebirth

For further information, contact Melissa Maimann at Essential Birth Consulting or phone 0400 418 448.

Why is Home Birth so Very Attractive?

Receive care from the same caring, kind, understanding midwife from pregnancy right through until your baby is 6 weeks old

Women have fewer complications in labour

Less use of pain medication as natural methods are well used to maintain comfort

Less likely to need an episiotomy

Lower risk of needing a caesarean

No concern with when to go to hospital

Being in very safe, private, comfortable and familiar surroundings

Women have the choice and control of who is present at the birth

No separation from partner or family such as other children, or the baby

Much less risk of serious infection in your own surroundings

Women have the complete freedom to choose their birthing positions

Babies have uninterrupted bonding with their mother

Increased chance of success with breastfeeding

Receive personalised and convenient pregnancy and postnatal care in your own home

Is Homebirth Right for me?

For most women, home birth is a safe, considered and responsible decision. Homebirth is certainly possible for women who:

Are having their first babies

Have had a previous previous traumatic birth and prefer to minimise the risk of it happening again

Had a fast birth last time and would prefer to stay at home and have a midwife come to them, instead of the slightest chance of birthing by the roadside

Prefer a more natural, relaxed, comfortable, stress-free experience

Are healthy and actively work towards health and wellbeing

What if Something Goes “Wrong” at Home?

This is actually quite rare, however the qualified midwife is very competent and capable in dealing with minor and moderate issues. If a severe issue arose, she would supervise transfer to hospital and stay with the woman to continue care and support to ensure a satisfactory experience and outcome for the woman and her baby.

Midwives who birth with women at home are educated and experienced to assess the wellbeing of mother and baby throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth and the postnatal / neonatal period. The College of Midwives Guidelines for Referral and Consultation are used to support clinical decision-making in consultation with the Client.

The Safety of Homebirth

Several recent studies including two from Canada and one from the Netherlands have confirmed that home birth is at least as safe as hospital birth for low-risk, healthy women who are attended by professional and qualified midwives. Women who birth at home also experience fewer interventions in their labour.

These studies compare very favourably to our NSW (2006) statistics. In 2006,

• 60% women had a normal birth
• 10% women had forceps or a ventouse birth
• 29% women had a caesarean

If you are a healthy woman desiring a normal birth, home is the best place to be!

The most up-to-date scientific research supports the safety of homebirth for healthy, low risk women who are attended by a qualified midwife.

What Can We Expect to pay for a Home Birth?

Families are now able to pay an hourly rate for private midwifery care. This flexible approach has several advantages for families:

The service is more affordable

Payment amounts are smaller, allowing for easier budgeting

Families pay for what they use, need or want

There are lots of optional extras for families who prefer a more premium service

Families are more in control of the service

Private midwifery fees may be claimed through the Net Medical Expenses Tax Offset and Private Health insurance.

How can I arrange a home birth?

Women make initial contact by phone on 0400 418 448 or email to enquire about private midwifery care. An initial appointment may be made and this provides an opportunity for us to meet each other and discuss the family’s needs for pregnancy and birth. It will take about two hours. Many women have questions that they like to ask their midwife, and this consultation provides the perfect opportunity for us to explore ways of individualising the care. A consultation fee applies.

After the initial consultation, families consider their preferred options and phone to confirm a booking. As bookings are strictly limited each month, it is advisable to phone as soon as you have reached a decision. Regretably, bookings cannot be secured until payment of a deposit is made.

Once a deposit is paid, we will arrange the first antenatal visit. This appointment takes place as early as possible in the pregnancy, preferably by 8 weeks. The appointment will include a complete medical, surgical and birthing history, and I will provide you with information on many aspects relating to pregnancy, birth and babies. Further consultations will be scheduled.

For further information or to make an appointment, please phone 0400 418 448. I welcome phone calls any day of the week, any time between 7am and 10pm.

For further information about homebirth services, please visit my website. Information about booking a homebirth can be found here.  Or simply call me on 0400 418 448.

Other services include:

Pre-conception care
Pregnancy and Birth Options
VBAC Preparation
Miscarriage and Pregnancy Termination Support
Childbirth Education
Nutrition and Exercise
Telephone and E-mail Consultations
Birth Plans
Birth Advocacy
Second opinions
Birth Trauma Debriefing

Melissa Maimann, Essential Birth Consulting 0400 418 448