Frequently Asked Questions

What if I want a water birth?

The majority of my clients choose to birth in the water, though some just use their birth pools throughout labor. I offer birth pools for clients use as part of my package or can make recommendations to find the ideal set up for you.

How do I cope with the pain of birth without an epidural? 

Education, midwifery care, and a support team are all important pieces to prepare for natural birth.

While at home you do not have the option of an epidural however, many women find that birth in their own home is less painful than in a hospital. Midwives use water, massage, acupressure, and other therapies to guide you in relaxing and opening. You will also have a supportive birth team that may include your partner, a friend, a family member or doula that would provide comfort during labor. Also, take into consideration that freedom of movement  and rest helps you to work with your body and make the contractions more manageable.

Do you accept insurance?

I’m not an in network provider with any insurance. However I do have an insurance biller who can help you get reimbursed if you have a PPO insurance plan!

What are the benefits of having a homebirth with a licensed midwife?

The birth of a child is a very important event that will affect a woman and/or couple’s life forever. As such, choosing the right provider and the right place of birth is an important factor to consider. Midwives recognize pregnancy and birth as normal life events. Homebirth has not only proven to be beneficial for the mom, but for the baby and partner as well because: 

* The care offered is individualized, which means that all the decisions made about your care or your baby’s care are made together with you. You will be provided with educational tools and information to make an informed, safe decision.

* Midwives offer evidence-based care, which means that we are up-to-date on the research regarding pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding.

* Your care is delivered in your own home - your own environment - which means you can feel comfortable and move around without restrictions. You are in control of the situation.

* The normal process of birth is not interrupted. As your body moves in response to the labor, progress happens more easily, decreasing the need for medical intervention.

* Bonding with your baby is facilitated through immediate skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping and the early initiation of breastfeeding. You will never be separated from your baby or your partner in a home birth.

* Giving birth with a licensed midwife at home offers a woman a measure of control that is generally unavailable in the hospital (freedom to move, eat, bathe).

What do you do with the mess?

Birth is not as messy as you may think. We use chux pads to protect your bed or carpet and we use waterproof liners as well, which makes it easy to clean up. We help with collecting the trash and the linens that need to go in the laundry.

Can you recommend doulas, childbirth educators or other providers in the area?

Yes! For my clients I provide local resources and referrals for providers in our area.

Is a doula the same as a Midwife?

A midwife is a primary maternity care provider with medical skills and training that supports women to maintain healthy pregnancies and have optimal births and recoveries during the postpartum period. A midwife cares for mothers and their infants and provides women with individualized care uniquely suited to their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs. (Taken from mana.org website)

A doula is a professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth. (Taken from DONA website)

Doulas have understanding and knowledge of the phases of labor and offer emotional support through labor and birth.  While doula’s are well versed in helping their client’s navigate labor and birth, in and out of the hospital, they are not medical care providers like a Midwife is. Some doulas train with and gain (optional) certification through professional doula organizations. Many doulas learn their trade through their labor and birth experiences.

Is homebirth for everyone?

Homebirth is for anyone who wants to receive individualized, respectful and low intervention care AND whose pregnancy is not complicated by any medical condition. Homebirth is for families seeking to be heard and to have their questions answered but who also are healthy and practice a healthy lifestyle. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 85% of pregnancies can be categorized as low risk. 

What happens during prenatal visits?

Prenatal visits are to assess your and your baby’s emotional and physical well-being as well as developing a foundation of trust and connection. The basics of the visit includes blood pressure monitoring, nutrition assessment, fetal growth assessment, fetal heart rate monitoring and fetal position assessment. Additionally, your midwife will review all of your options for routine prenatal screening and testing, including ultrasounds. Another important aspect of the prenatal visit is the discussion of concerns or questions that you may have. Education is the mainstream of optimal prenatal care.

Do I need to see a doctor for my prenatal care?

Homebirth midwives offer comprehensive care during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and the first week after the baby is born. You do not need to see a doctor for your prenatal care if you are under the care of a homebirth midwife. My care includes recognizing clinical situations requiring the attention of an obstetrician or pediatrician and referring you to one if necessary. I however do have established relationships with doctors available for consultation when appropriate.

What do you bring to the birth?

Some of the equipment we bring includes:

* Doppler or fetoscope to intermittently auscultate (listen to) your baby’s heartbeat

* Blood presssure cuff and stethoscope to monitor your blood pressure

* Sterile instruments for cutting the umbilical cord

* Suturing kit and local anesthesia

* Baby scale, tape measure, infant stethoscope 

* Medication for emergency situations: resuscitation equipment, IV fluids, pharmaceutical medicines (antihemorrhagic drugs to stop excessive bleeding postpartum.