And Baby Makes FIVE - Part 1

The Youngs are expecting their third child. And they have decided to make a choice that you don't see too often in this day and age - they decided to deliver their newest addition at home. It is this decision that brought them....and their home... into our lives.

Mrs. Young did not enjoy her last experience at one of our local hospitals and when she found out that they were once more expecting - she decided to explore what were the other options available to her and her family. "I thought about delivering using a private facility - but the cost was more than we were willing to accommodate. I was at my health centre and chatting with the midwife about our dilemma when the subject of home delivery came up."

"The process is simple, the people are SO helpful and what's more there is no charge!" 

Firstly, the delivery can only be for between the mom's second to fifth child. If on your second child - the first birth must have been normal delivery with no complications. Secondly, mom must go through ante-natal care, either privately or via your nearest heath centre. However, at 36 weeks there is a hand-over by your doctor to the midwife at the health centre. This hand-over consists of a medical examination and a review of your medical records up to that point. The mom is not the only one subjected to a review - so too the dad and the home.

"My husband had already gone through the Lamaze training at Mt. Hope Maternity Hospital (another free service) so the midwife chatted through what he should expect, what could happen and just to make sure that he was up and ready for the challenge."

Next, the midwife then contacts the School of Midwifery who will assign a student midwife to the mom. It is this student midwife, along with their student supervisor, who will actually deliver the baby. The student midwife meets with the mom and basically becomes her best friend over the next few weeks.

"They also come to your home to make sure that it is fit for delivery. The place must be clean - and not just clean but spartan. It must be easily accessible and it must be able to accommodate an ambulance."

"We are purchasing a kiddie pool. And what we need is Heavenly Hands to come and thoroughly clean our home."

That's where we came in...