What are the benefits of using an independent midwife?
Booking with an independent midwife gives you continuity of care and carer. Your midwife has the chance to really get to know you, to understand your needs and to build a strong rapport with you. When you go into labour, you know that the person who will be there to support you is your chosen midwife, who you have got to know over many weeks and months and who will do their best to give you the birth experience that you want.

What booking options are there where the full services that you offer are not required?

• Partial care
  Partial care allows me to meet your requirements when you do not need the full range of services that I offer. For example, some women may book for just labour and postnatal care, without the antenatal care that I provide in the weeks and months before birth. In this case I would still need to do at least one comprehensive visit prior to birth, to enable me to understand your needs and plan your care properly.
  

• What are the costs for partial care?
  Partial care may well require a complete level of service to be provided, simply within a shorter timescale. In some circumstances, I may be able to agree a reduced fee, dependant upon the services that you would like me to provide. I would discuss this with you during an initial consultation and agree the actual costs at that time.
  

• Late booking
  You may choose to book my services at any time throughout your pregnancy, so long as I have enough time to organise your care! If you book close to your expected due date, you will receive longer visits than if I had got to know you over the course of a whole pregnancy. Again, this is to ensure that I am able to understand your needs and plan safe care with you.
  

• Hospital birth
  Women wanting or needing a hospital birth may prefer as much antenatal care at home as possible in addition to attending hospital for any obstetric or medical input that may be required. I can accompany you for any hospital visits but legislation currently prevents me from taking reponsibility for the actual birth - this would be provided by staff within the hospital. I can of course be with you throughout the birth to offer support. Women with additional needs are likely to also require more postnatal support, which sadly is ever dwindling in its NHS provision.

Will my baby and I be safe using an independent midwife?
Whilst the majority of homebirths are gentle, natural and straightforward; I will discuss the "what ifs" with you during a birth-plan discussion, or at any time during your antenatal care. All midwives undertake thorough training to prepare themselves for potential problems or emergencies that could arise during a birth; and I carry appropriate equipment and emergency medicines that may be necessary in these situations. If you were to need an emergency transfer to a local hospital, this would be arranged promptly to ensure the safety of you and your baby.

Do you have professional indemnity insurance cover?
Independent midwives are currently unable to arrange professional indemnity insurance; and there is a lot of effort being made to address this situation at a national level (see the Independent Midwives UK website for details). You should therefore be aware that if you do book to use my services; whilst I am of course registered to provide professional services, I am not able to obtain PI insurance at the current time.

Are there options for payment?
I am flexible about this. Generally, I ask for a deposit of 500 pounds when you book (750 pounds if it is a late booking), with the remaining payment being spread to suit your circumstances. I prefer to have full payment made by the 36th week of pregnancy. Please note that in the event of a transfer to hospital for your birth, the costs for me remain the same, as I would normally accompany you in these circumstances. Please contact me if you want to discuss any other payment options.

Are there extra costs if we live on the Isle of Man?
I am very happy to work with clients on the Isle of Man and have a good relationship with the NHS midwives on the island. Naturally, it involves me in more organisation and usually I am away from my home and family for a period of time to care for you. I would ask that you either arrange, or meet the costs of accomodation and travel to the island, in addition to my normal fees.