The True Value and Cost of Private Midwifery Care

Choosing private midwifery care is an investment in your health, your baby’s wellbeing, and your birth experience. While it can feel like a significant financial commitment, understanding what this care truly includes—and the outcomes it supports—helps families see the incredible value behind the numbers.

Beyond Appointments: What You’re Really Investing In

Private midwifery care is far more than a series of antenatal visits. It’s a continuity of care model, where you are supported by the same known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum weeks. This model has been shown to lead to:

• Lower rates of intervention, including caesareans and inductions

• Reduced rates of preterm birth and neonatal complications

• Increased maternal satisfaction and confidence

• Safer, more personalised care for both mother and baby

Behind the scenes, your midwife invests countless hours into research, preparation, emergency readiness, documentation, and collaboration with other health professionals to ensure your safety and wellbeing. This invisible work is just as vital as the time spent in appointments or at your birth.

Understanding the Cost

Private midwifery care is structured to maximise Medicare rebates and, where applicable, private health insurance benefits.

• Most families will reach the Medicare Safety Net, which significantly increases rebates for appointments later in pregnancy.

• For planned hospital births, your private health insurance may cover the hospital bed fee if you are insured for maternity care.

While the upfront investment may feel significant, these rebates often reduce the overall out-of-pocket expense, making private midwifery care more accessible than many families expect.

The True Value: Safety, Autonomy, and Support

What you’re really paying for is the peace of mind that comes with having a trusted, experienced midwife by your side—someone who knows your story, respects your choices, and has the skills to respond quickly and safely if things vary from normal. This level of personalised care can’t be replicated in standard maternity systems where care is often fragmented and rushed.

At Birth Tribe Midwifery, we believe that every woman deserves the chance to birth with confidence and dignity. The cost of private care reflects not only the professional expertise and 24/7 availability of your midwife but also the transformational experience of feeling seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.