She Spends Your Money On Me

For the benefit of S and others who may be wondering the same thing, I will briefly explain how the whole IM things works. You can generally select from a range of packages - antenatal care only, postnatal care only, antenatal + birth, birth + postnatal or the complete works. Most IMs don't tend to offer birth only as it kind of defeats the object of having IM care. We have the full package of antenatal care (generally they offer around 10 appointments and as we have booked later than some we are now on weekly appointments until the birth), home water birth including pool and 28 days postnatal care. You don't pay per hour or for the duration of your labour etc, it is a flat fee with a slightly higher rate for a home birth than a hospital birth. The cost also includes the main IM being on call from 37 weeks and the attendance of a second midwife (also a local IM) for the delivery.

I am still entitled to access the full range of NHS facilities including blood tests and scans and these can be facilitated by my IM. For example our baby is currently breach, which at 31 weeks isn't too much of a concern, but if she is still head down towards the end of the pregnancy it may be necessary to have an additional scan to verify the position of the baby and if definitely breach then have external cephalic version (ECV) to turn the baby prior to birth. If required then both of these procedures will be arranged by the IM and performed on the NHS.

Without going into details about our personal finances with regard to cost, I will quote the IM Association on the subject:

Q: How much do independent midwives charge?

As we are all self-employed, we are all able to choose what we charge but many of us are flexible in how you pay us. The going rate for an IM at the moment is from about £1800 to £4500 (approx) for the whole package of care - this will vary as to where you live in the UK. Most IM's will want to have received payment in full by the time you are 36 weeks pregnant.