Mmmm - I come from a similar career background as Suze and have given birth 3 times as well so can claim to have a bit of 1st, 2nd & 3rd hand knowledge.

First I believe in CHOICE.

If women who are perfectly healthy and capable of vaginal delivery can choose a Caesarean section on an appointed date with their appointed Obstetrician with Medicare backing then the perfectly healthy and capable of vaginal delivery should be able to choose home birth on same terms.

If the reader wonders who pays?/who should pay?/what are we paying for? ponder these facts:

Caesarean births are becoming increasingly frequent with more "indications" added regularly. This birth method is by far the most expensive. (Obstetricians however don't mind)

Antenatal care has become increasingly expensive over the past 3 decades. Where once a scan was performed to diagnose suspected multiple foetuses or abnormalities, it is now standard practice for 3 scans to be performed routinely through a normal pregnancy. Has this practice resulted in better outcomes for healthy mothers and babies? Not perceptively, but it charms the parents and helps pay for the Obstetricians yacht - unless it is the Public system when costs come out of the Health Care budget.

Is birth 'over-medicalised'? I would say yes. Is there a vested interest in maintaining and extending this trend? I would say yes.

Continued .....
My own experiences are now old with youngest offspring aged 25, however each was different. Being very 'conventional medicine' minded I went to hospital (large Public Teaching) quite early in my first labour and was subjected to almost every procedure available - initially without my consent eg. breaking waters on initial exam. Labour was slow, probably because I was so unsettled. Drs decided I needed a Caesarean. I refused. Several hrs later I managed to give birth 'naturally'. Was so disgusted with my experience I discharged myself next day.

Two years later I laboured at home until things were imminent then went to hospital, birthing 35 minutes later. My Dr grudgingly discharged me next day.

Three years later I had a planned home birth with a very experienced Dutch mid-wife. Cost me $300 for her services (included 2 ante-natal & 2 follow up visits) opposed to about $1200 (cost of hospital stay, Drs fees) though with no remittance from Medicare or private health fund I was in fact nearly $200 down. Got my moneys worth however. You, dear reader, got off scot free.

What we need 'culturally' and economically both in medical and social senses is a commitment to reducing unnecessary antenatal procedures and promoting minimal intervention birthing. Focus should be on providing 1st rate basics in an environment where women feel comfortable and supported with the high tech stuff reserved for what it was originally intended - the high risk situation.

This would mean having choices like "Home-style" birth suites in all Maternity facilities, wide availability of Mid-wife care and Homebirth rebate. Meantime introduce "BirthCover" the insurance for every woman and newborn with generous but capped payouts for medical misadventure.

For every other mother who wants a "high tech experience" with NO medical indications - eg. an elective Caesarean on "social" grounds (and there are a lot more of these performed, taxpayer funding included, than homebirths) then let the extra costs rest with that individual.

Now count the benefits and the savings!

Unless you are a specialist Obstetrician ... Sorry guys