Home Birth Services Melbourne Victoria
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Women across the globe have been giving birth at home with the assistance of midwives for centuries. In the early days, this was the norm. Over time, mothers-to-be began veering away from the age-old traditions and started turning to hospitals when the time came to welcome their new little ones into the world. This became the new normal, but the past and present are now coming together to pave the way for the future.
Coming Full Circle Home births are once again gaining popularity. Hundreds of women across Victoria now give birth at home with a midwife by their side, and the number is growing every year. If you’re considering a home birth, you’re certainly not alone. In light of all the unprecedented changes taking place around the world, even more women than before are looking into the possibility of giving birth outside of a public healthcare facility. Choosing a Midwife for Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Postnatal Care Before planning a home birth, it’s important to know what the process entails. We’re dedicated to helping families better understand what happens before, during, and after a home birth. We also want to explain how midwives fit into the picture and what we can do to facilitate not only the birthing experience but pregnancy and postnatal care for you and your baby. What is a Home Birth Midwife? Most people know that home birth midwives are present during childbirth and assist with the process. In truth, their services go well beyond this common interpretation. They’re fully trained in caring for women throughout pregnancy, during labour and delivery, and after childbirth. Midwives also have the training and experience necessary to educate women on breastfeeding and provide newborn care for several weeks following birth. On top of all that, midwives have emergency care training. They’re legally required to be able to perform adult and newborn resuscitation as well as other potentially lifesaving techniques. Those are only a few of the guidelines in place for legally practising midwifery. |
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Don't hesitate to contact us 03 9860 4440 for more information or to schedule a consultation. We’re here to answer all your questions and address all your concerns.
Stages of Care
One of the great things about working with a home birth midwife is that pregnant women can get all the care they need throughout all the stages of their pregnancy and early motherhood from the same compassionate professional. Most women, especially first-time mothers, have a lot of questions about the changes their bodies will go through and how midwives can help them during this exciting time.
How often do I need to see my midwife? Will the visits take place in the home? How much control do mothers have over the terms of their pregnancy, birthing, and aftercare arrangements? The best way to get definitive answers is to schedule a consultation with a home birth midwife, but those who want to get a head start can find basic information about the care provided during each stage of pregnancy, birth, and early infancy below.
One of the great things about working with a home birth midwife is that pregnant women can get all the care they need throughout all the stages of their pregnancy and early motherhood from the same compassionate professional. Most women, especially first-time mothers, have a lot of questions about the changes their bodies will go through and how midwives can help them during this exciting time.
How often do I need to see my midwife? Will the visits take place in the home? How much control do mothers have over the terms of their pregnancy, birthing, and aftercare arrangements? The best way to get definitive answers is to schedule a consultation with a home birth midwife, but those who want to get a head start can find basic information about the care provided during each stage of pregnancy, birth, and early infancy below.
Midwives' Roles during Pregnancy CareDuring pregnancy, you’ll see a midwife for prenatal appointments. He or she will provide information about pregnancy in general as well as how yours is progressing. Visits will include health checks for you and your baby, discussions about labour and childbirth, explanations of what to expect between each visit, and the development of a birthing plan among other elements.
Midwives also help with scheduling appointments for testing at clinics or hospitals, parenting classes, and other services. They provide support and answer questions throughout pregnancy. They’ll tell you of certain warning signs to look out for while you’re at home and be sure you understand what to do in the event of an emergency. 
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Widwives' Roles at the BirthBy law, two midwives must be present during a home birth. When labour begins to progress, the midwives will come to your home and provide care during labour and delivery. They’ll keep a close watch on your pain levels and offer various pain management suggestions and assistance as needed. Midwives provide emotional support and offer guidance throughout the process.
Along the way, they’ll monitor you and your baby to ensure vital signs remain strong and steady. When the time comes, the midwives will tell you when to push and coach you through each contraction. Midwives also clamp and cut the umbilical cord following your baby’s birth and take care of the afterbirth. If you prefer, you or your partner will be allowed to cut the cord. Most mums and midwives alike prefer to wait until the cord stops pulsing before clamping because this could be more beneficial for the baby than doing so immediately. Midwives are trained to spot the warning signs of complications during labour and delivery. Should a problem arise, they’ll provide initial emergency care and get paramedics en route to take you to the nearest hospital. If you have to be taken to the hospital, your midwife will accompany you for support and reassurance. |
Midwives' Roles after BirthYour midwife will stay with you for a few hours after the birth to ensure both you and your baby are doing well. He or she will provide pain relief, breastfeeding assistance, emotional support, and other elements you may need. Midwives likewise schedule newborn screenings, initial pediatrician checkups, and home health nurse visits. They additionally provide care and advice for the first few weeks of your baby’s life.
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Don't hesitate to contact us 03 9860 4440 for more information or to schedule a consultation. We’re here to answer all your questions and address all your concerns.
How does home birth work?
Home births are quite a bit different than those that take place in a hospital or birthing centre. When delivery day arrives, your midwife will come to your home well in advance of the delivery. He or she will come equipped with ample training to handle various common situations as well as uncommon occurrences.
Contrary to popular belief, not all elements of modern medicine are left out of the process when you choose to partner with a home birth midwife. Though epidural, in-depth surgical equipment, and other items you’d find in a hospital aren’t part of the picture, you’ll still have plenty of safety measures on hand.
Midwives bring certain types of medical equipment with them on delivery day. These may include sterile gloves, drop cloths, and waterproof bed coverings. They might also bring a fetoscope, thermometer, IVs in case you become dehydrated, oxygen in case the baby needs it, medications to stop hemorrhaging, and suturing kits to name a few. Depending on your wishes and your midwife’s unique approach, he or she may also offer herbal remedies, massage oils, aromatherapy, and other alternative therapy options.
Massage, aromatherapy, positioning techniques, and other measures will be used to help manage the pain of labour rather than the standard medications you’d receive in a clinical setting. Instead of being constantly tied down to fetal monitors, an IV infusion pump, and numerous other devices during labour and delivery, you’ll be free and even encouraged to move around as you see fit.
With midwife-assisted home births, every scenario is different. You’ll have control over the situation and be allowed to incorporate your own beliefs into the process. Your midwife will combine your needs and wishes with his or her knowledge and training to create the birthing plan you have in mind. You and the midwife will work out all the details beforehand, including what will happen if you need to be transferred to the nearest hospital.
Once your baby is born, you’ll be able to have skin-to-skin contact with him or her and even nurse immediately if you choose to do so. Throughout the process, you can be surrounded by loved ones and even allow your other children to be part of the experience if you desire. It’s essentially your choice.
Contact us 03 9860 4440 for more information or to schedule a consultation. We’re here to answer all your questions and address all your concerns.
Contrary to popular belief, not all elements of modern medicine are left out of the process when you choose to partner with a home birth midwife. Though epidural, in-depth surgical equipment, and other items you’d find in a hospital aren’t part of the picture, you’ll still have plenty of safety measures on hand.
Midwives bring certain types of medical equipment with them on delivery day. These may include sterile gloves, drop cloths, and waterproof bed coverings. They might also bring a fetoscope, thermometer, IVs in case you become dehydrated, oxygen in case the baby needs it, medications to stop hemorrhaging, and suturing kits to name a few. Depending on your wishes and your midwife’s unique approach, he or she may also offer herbal remedies, massage oils, aromatherapy, and other alternative therapy options.
Massage, aromatherapy, positioning techniques, and other measures will be used to help manage the pain of labour rather than the standard medications you’d receive in a clinical setting. Instead of being constantly tied down to fetal monitors, an IV infusion pump, and numerous other devices during labour and delivery, you’ll be free and even encouraged to move around as you see fit.
With midwife-assisted home births, every scenario is different. You’ll have control over the situation and be allowed to incorporate your own beliefs into the process. Your midwife will combine your needs and wishes with his or her knowledge and training to create the birthing plan you have in mind. You and the midwife will work out all the details beforehand, including what will happen if you need to be transferred to the nearest hospital.
Once your baby is born, you’ll be able to have skin-to-skin contact with him or her and even nurse immediately if you choose to do so. Throughout the process, you can be surrounded by loved ones and even allow your other children to be part of the experience if you desire. It’s essentially your choice.
Contact us 03 9860 4440 for more information or to schedule a consultation. We’re here to answer all your questions and address all your concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is home birth an option for me?
Home Births aren’t an option for everyone. You may be a suitable candidate if you’re generally healthy and aren’t having a high-risk pregnancy. You’ll also need to have a safe home environment that can accommodate your needs during labour and delivery. Having a hospital nearby in case of emergency during the birth is also necessary.
You may not be able to have a home birth if your pregnancy is considered high-risk or you’ve had problems during previous deliveries. Home births aren’t recommended for women who’ve had more than five children, past uterine surgeries or serious health issues as it probably isn’t the best or safest option.
Certain other risk factors apply. These might include previous children being born with a strep B infection or having no access to ambulance services. We’ll discuss those and other aspects with you to determine if having your baby at home is a good choice. Contact us 03 9860 4440 to find out more.
How safe is a home birth?
Home births are considered just as safe as hospital births as long as you’re healthy and have no history of pregnancy or childbirth complications. Keep in mind, complications during labour and birth can’t always be predicted. If a problem should arise, being able to get to a maternity hospital quickly is essential.
Are home births legal?
Yes, home births are completely legal. Women have the right to give birth wherever they choose.
Is it illegal to give birth at home without a Midwife?
Truthfully, it’s not illegal for a woman to have a baby at home without any type of professional intervention. That being said, it’s not recommended, either. Any number of things could quickly go wrong during labour and childbirth, so it’s best to have a midwife there who’s trained in emergency situations.
How does a private Midwife work?
Midwives may work through public or private hospital systems or private practises. Our privately practicing midwives have a Medicare Provider Number (Medicare endorsed), which means women can claim medicare rebates for a range of midwifery services:
This allows private midwifery care to be more accessible to women and provide a more customised care.
How much does a home birth cost?
The cost of home birth with midwife assistance varies but generally ranges from $3,500 to $6,000. This price includes pregnancy, labour and delivery, and postnatal care. Based on figures from the medical sector, the home birth midwife cost is approximately 60 percent less than that of a hospital birth.
Will Medicare cover home birth?
In most cases, Medicare will pay for at least a portion of the cost of home births and private midwife services for eligible women. The amount of coverage provided depends on your specific circumstances. If you have to pay some of the expenses out of pocket, you may be able to receive a rebate for midwife care that’s provided during pregnancy and after the fact.
Will private health insurance cover home birth?
As is the case with Medicare, private health insurance will generally cover some of the costs of home birth and midwife services. Not all policies offer the same amounts of coverage. You may be eligible for a tax rebate to reimburse any expenses you have to cover out of pocket.
Don't hesitate to contact us 03 9860 4440 for more information or to schedule a consultation.
Home Births aren’t an option for everyone. You may be a suitable candidate if you’re generally healthy and aren’t having a high-risk pregnancy. You’ll also need to have a safe home environment that can accommodate your needs during labour and delivery. Having a hospital nearby in case of emergency during the birth is also necessary.
You may not be able to have a home birth if your pregnancy is considered high-risk or you’ve had problems during previous deliveries. Home births aren’t recommended for women who’ve had more than five children, past uterine surgeries or serious health issues as it probably isn’t the best or safest option.
Certain other risk factors apply. These might include previous children being born with a strep B infection or having no access to ambulance services. We’ll discuss those and other aspects with you to determine if having your baby at home is a good choice. Contact us 03 9860 4440 to find out more.
How safe is a home birth?
Home births are considered just as safe as hospital births as long as you’re healthy and have no history of pregnancy or childbirth complications. Keep in mind, complications during labour and birth can’t always be predicted. If a problem should arise, being able to get to a maternity hospital quickly is essential.
Are home births legal?
Yes, home births are completely legal. Women have the right to give birth wherever they choose.
Is it illegal to give birth at home without a Midwife?
Truthfully, it’s not illegal for a woman to have a baby at home without any type of professional intervention. That being said, it’s not recommended, either. Any number of things could quickly go wrong during labour and childbirth, so it’s best to have a midwife there who’s trained in emergency situations.
How does a private Midwife work?
Midwives may work through public or private hospital systems or private practises. Our privately practicing midwives have a Medicare Provider Number (Medicare endorsed), which means women can claim medicare rebates for a range of midwifery services:
- Short and long antenatal consultations
- Midwifery care planning visits
- Short and long postnatal consultations.
This allows private midwifery care to be more accessible to women and provide a more customised care.
How much does a home birth cost?
The cost of home birth with midwife assistance varies but generally ranges from $3,500 to $6,000. This price includes pregnancy, labour and delivery, and postnatal care. Based on figures from the medical sector, the home birth midwife cost is approximately 60 percent less than that of a hospital birth.
Will Medicare cover home birth?
In most cases, Medicare will pay for at least a portion of the cost of home births and private midwife services for eligible women. The amount of coverage provided depends on your specific circumstances. If you have to pay some of the expenses out of pocket, you may be able to receive a rebate for midwife care that’s provided during pregnancy and after the fact.
Will private health insurance cover home birth?
As is the case with Medicare, private health insurance will generally cover some of the costs of home birth and midwife services. Not all policies offer the same amounts of coverage. You may be eligible for a tax rebate to reimburse any expenses you have to cover out of pocket.
Don't hesitate to contact us 03 9860 4440 for more information or to schedule a consultation.
Having your baby in a warm, loving environment
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Home births allow you to experience labour and delivery in a familiar environment without the chaos, urgency, and impersonality often taking place in a clinical setting. You’ll be surrounded by those you love and have greater freedom to choose how you approach the birthing process.
We’re passionate about helping families experience the miracle of childbirth at home in a safe, comfortable atmosphere. We specialize in home births in Victoria and firmly believe this is the most rewarding and stress-free alternative for both mothers and babies. Our private midwives offer the full range of essential services, including:
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