"Why having a private midwife was the best pregnancy decision I made."

I found so many benefits of this approach to pregnancy care.

I will freely admit that in certain areas of my life I can be a bit of a control freak. I like to know exactly what’s going on and often feel if I am doing it personally, the outcome will be more favourable. Pregnancy was no different. I had very firm ideas and beliefs about how I wanted to do things.

I approached pregnancy and childbirth from a very holistic point of view. I saw an acupuncturist throughout my pregnancy, something I attribute my complete absence of morning sickness to, and I researched all the options I had available to me for pre-natal care.

Birthing in a private hospital was something I was pretty adamant about. We’d been forking out exorbitant health insurance premiums to have this luxury. I wanted the comfort and the extra time to try and work out what the hell I was doing.

I quickly discovered that I was required to have an obstetrician at my local private hospital.

I was genuinely afraid of having obstetric lead care. I had heard so many horror stories of babies being induced to fit in with rounds of golf and women being bullied into medical intervention they didn’t need in order to accommodate a doctor.

I know now that not all obstetricians are like that. But I still wanted another option.

It was then that I discovered a wonderful local midwife. Brigid was employed at my chosen hospital and also ran her own private practice. It felt like I was having my cake and eating it too. Brigid worked with my obstetrician under a shared care model of antenatal care.

I found so many benefits of this approach to pregnancy care.

A more holistic approach.

Midwives are passionate about pregnancy and birth and in my experience, treat pregnancy more like an experience or journey than a medical condition 

Continuity of care.

I saw the same midwife every appointment. We got to know and understand each other. We got to discuss things in depth and she really knew what I wanted when the big day arrived.

Private antenatal classes.

Brigid did a little ‘class’ with my partner and I in the comfort of our own home. She had lots of great resources. We could ask all our silly questions without strangers in the room and she left us with a stock pile of DVDs to watch at our leisure.

Always available.

I can’t even tell you how many times I contacted poor Brigid to ask her a question about a funny feeling I was having or the countless times I thought I might have been going into labour. She never once complained and it was so reassuring to know there was someone who knew my body and developing baby who was there to help me 24/7.

She was there my entire labour.

When I got to the hospital I didn’t have to worry about meeting the midwife who was going to deliver my child for the first time.  I didn’t have to worry I would forget something while trying to tell a stranger about my birth plan. I didn’t have to worry she would leave half way through because her shift was over.

I was so incredibly comfortable because I knew Brigid and I knew the way she worked. So when she said, "I think it’s time to think about an epidural," I knew she thought we still had a long way to go and I needed a break.

Post natal care.

I had a god awful time breastfeeding for the first six weeks. I was in agony and bleeding with every latch. I dreaded feeding.

As well as being a private midwife, Brigid is also a lactation consultation.

I called Brigid a few days after leaving hospital. I told her that I was pretty certain my nipple was about to fall off. She talked me through it and when I still didn’t get the hang of it she came to my house, sat on my couch beside me and worked with my baby and I till she was comfortable we were heading in the right direction. I have no doubt that if I wasn’t for Brigid I would have given up. Seven months later we are still going strong.

For me, midwife led care was the best choice and it’s certainly the way I’ll be going for any other children I might have.

Would you consider going with a private midwife for your pregnancy and birth?

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If you live on the Sunshine Coast and are interested in Brigid’s services, you can find out more about her by visiting www.yourownmidwife.com.au