Curious about midwifery and home birth?

What does it mean to be a licensed midwife?

Licensed midwives are autonomous providers educated in midwifery and licensed by the California Medical Board to provide comprehensive care for pregnancy and birth in an out of hospital setting as well as routine gynecological care.  Licensed midwives are also certified in Basic Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation.

Is home birth safe?

Birth is a normal. Even though birth carries some inherent risk in any setting, normal physiologic birth is not a medical emergency and should not be treated as such. Having your baby at home is an excellent option for healthy low risk individuals. Safety is my primary goal, and a healthy parent and a healthy baby is of paramount importance. I use my education, knowledge, skills, and intuition to work collaboratively with you to reduce the risk of complications for you and your baby.  At each prenatal visit I assess your physical and emotional wellbeing as well as your baby's. If a condition arises that is cause for concern, I refer you to an appropriate medical provider. Sometimes I can continue your care in collaboration with that provider, and sometimes it means that you are no longer a good candidate for midwifery care at all. I bring equipment and supplies with me to your home to help keep you and your baby as safe as possible during the labor, birth, and postpartum periods. I carry oxygen, IV equipment and fluids, medications to treat hemorrhage, resuscitation equipment in case your little one needs help breathing, suture material for repairing first and second degree vaginal tears, numbing medication, urinary catheters, and herbs and homeopathic remedies to name a few.

Recent scientific studies support the safety and outcomes of midwifery and home birth:

1. Does a Larger Role for Midwives Mean Better Care?

2. New Study Confirm Safety of Home Birth with Midwives in the U.S.

3. Outcomes of Care for Planned Home Births in the United States.

is home birth messy?

It’s a point of honor for home birth midwives to leave your home as clean or cleaner than we found it. I will take out any trash from the birth and even throw in a load of laundry if your washer is easy to access. The only evidence that you had a home birth will be your sweet new baby in your arms.

If i live in a tiny place can i still have my baby at home?

Midwives have caught babies in the confines of tiny studio apartment bathrooms, house boats, attics, and walk in closests. I am happy to attend your birth regardless of the size of your home. 

can i have my baby in the water?

YES! I offer water brith and provide my clients with a tub at no additional fee.

If I had a cesearean can I have a home birth

Birthing rights are human rights and I support choice in childbirth. Most folks with one prior cesarean birth are good candidates for an an HBAC (Home Birth After Cesarean), but I can't tell you for certain until I review your particular health history. Please feel free to scedule a consult to discuss your options. 

Useful Resources:

1. ICAN - The International Cesarean Awarness Network

2. VBAC Facts

is there pain relief at home?

Your body was made for labor and birth. Throughout your prenatal visits we nurture and develop your trust in your body and its ability to birth. When you begin labor you are in your own familiar home where you can create the environment that feels the most relaxing to you. Low lightning, quiet voices, soft music, aromatherapy, the freedom to listen to your body's needs for food, drink, movement, and rest all help you cope with the intensity of labor and birth. Warm water can be very relaxing and midwives often call the birth tub the “home birth epidural." During labor, your body also produces natural hormones and other support to further aid in your ability to cope and surrender to the process.

what if i end up needing to go to the hospital?

During the prenatal care, we create a hospital transport plan. Most low-risk folks who are appropriate candidates for a home birth stay at home. In the rare case that a client needs to go to the hospital we do so in a calm manner. Most transfers are non-urgent and do not require an ambulance. I call ahead and let the hospital staff know that we were on our way. I stay with you at every step of the way, giving you information to help you to navigate recommended procedures and courses of care, and providing emotional support until your baby is safely born and you are both resting together. Postpartum appointments then continue as normal, including our usual breast/chest-feeding and parenting support.

do you take insurance?

I use a medical billing service that can help you obtain reimbursement for your miwifery care if you have PPO insurance that covers out of network providers. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE that you will be reimbursed. Clients pay the fee directly to me before the due date. I ask for a deposit at your initial visit and then we discuss a payment plan.

Please note that the insurance claim is submitted after the six week postpartum visit and not before in order to get you the best possible reimbursement. If you have HMO insurance, you may want to consider concurrent care with an in-network provider for part of your pregnancy so that any testing you want will be covered by your insurance, resulting in less out-of-pocket expense for you.