Medical Support Options For Birth

Care Provider	The Gold Standard, World Health Organisation Recommended, Level of Care ☑	Medical Support	Emotional Support	Will I Know The Care Provider At My Birth?	Location	Estimated Costs
Private Midwife	🥇	✓	✓	✓	Home or hospital	$3500¹
Group Practice Midwife	🥇	✓	✓	✓²	Home, birth centre or hospital	$0
Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OBGYN)	✗	✓	✗	✓³		$0 – $10,000⁴
Hospital Nurse	✗	✓	?⁵	✗		$0
Doula	✗	✗	✓	✓		$800-$2500

1. The cost of a private midwife varies depending on which state or country you are birthing in. Medicare rebates of $1000 – $1800 are given for prenatal and postnatal appointments, but no rebate is provided for the birth.
2. You will have the same midwife you’ve been seeing throughout your pregnancy if they are on call. If not, another midwife from the group practice will attend.
3. If you have a private OBGYN, you may be able to ensure they are present when your baby is born.
4. These fees are dependant on your level of Health Cover (if you have it), and whether you plan to birth in at home, a public hospital or private hospital.
5. In most hospital settings, you will have 1-on-1 support from a hospital nurse. Depending on the care provider, they may be equipped to offer you emotional support.