I am excited to offer a safe alternative birthing option for those that have low risk pregnancies and want to have a birth in the comfort of their own home. It is important to me that every woman get the chance to have a birth where they feel fully supported by their midwife. I will help guide families and encourage them to make informed decisions regarding their pregnancy, birth and postpartum care.
Is homebirth safe?
This is the number one question that gets asked about home birth and I understand because of course it is important for you to know that you will be taken care of by a trained and experienced care provider! Midwives are trained to care for women who have a healthy pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum period. Which means that if something is outside of normal, midwives will be able to recognize warning signs long before an emergency would happen. During your course of care there could be indicators that will help us know when it is safe to be at home and when it would be necessary to go to the hospital. If there is a need to transfer to the hospital your midwife will go with you and accompany you to the hospital. At that point your midwife becomes extra support and will advocate for you. For further information about the safety of home birth go to this website. https://mana.org/research/homebirth-safety The statistics can help ease any fear or concerns you may have about home birth.
What are the benefits of a home birth?
-You get to be in the comfort of your own home. This is your birth, therefore you will have control of where you labor, what you eat and drink, clothes you wear, who you want attending your birth, and the way you want your baby to enter the world.
- Personalized and thorough care will be given which helps establish a trusted relationship. By the time you have your baby you will know your care provider well and she will know you.
- You will get informed choice on all tests, medications, and interventions if needed. Nothing will be done without your consent.
-Low risk women who plan home births have fewer interventions without an increase in risk to mothers or babies. See this article for more benefits of home birth.
Is home birth messy?
Generally there isn’t much of a mess, but I can see why you may think that! Most people get their ideas about birth from the media, but in reality it’s nothing like that and it really isn’t very messy. I provide a detailed list of supplies that are needed to keep your space clean and protected. Hydrogen Peroxide usually does the trick, but you could have a few towels or sheets that have a little stain. Before I leave I start a load of laundry and clean up any sign that you just had a baby. Visitors will never know where the birth happened unless you tell them.
How much room do you need for a home birth?
Having a baby does not require that much space. You need a place large enough so you can lie down and space around you so the midwives can set up their equipment and be able to reach you. The size of your space does not matter as long as you feel comfortable and safe in the space that you have. If you want a water birth then you will need a space that can fit a pool that is 6ft in diameter and has enough space to walk around it.
What supplies do I need for a home birth?
During your third trimester I will go over a detailed list of supplies and birth preparation list that will help you prepare for your home birth. I have you order a kit online that has all the necessary disposable items, plus I come with all the medical equipment and medication for you to safely give birth in your home.
How much does it cost to have a home birth and does insurance cover it?
It depends on what region you are in, but most midwives charge anywhere from $4,000-$10,000. A lot of times this is the cost of a deductible for some families. Home birth is considered “out-of-network” for most insurance companies, however I have worked with a few Christian plans that cover 80-100% of the home birth fees. Those companies are Samaritian's Ministry, Christian Health Share, and others. I do not bill insurance, but will give you a global bill with the codes that are necessary so you can submit it to your insurance at the end of care. I offer payment plans that can hopefully help make the financial part easier. Also, if you have an HSA (Health Savings Account) you can use that toward your home birth cost.
Can I have a water birth at home?
Yes! I have two inflatable professional birth pools that I lend out to my families if they desire a water birth. Also, if you have a big enough tub and would like to birth in your own tub that’s great!
What do I do with my kids during the birth?
That is your choice! However, if you want your children at your birth I recommend having an adult that your children know and trust to attend them, not the dad! Make it clear that their sole responsibility is the children. If you do not want your children at your birth then have a plan to 1. Leave them asleep if the birth happens at night, 2. Have a friend or family member that you trust pick them up and take them to another location until you are ready for them to return, or 3. Find someone with whom your children feel comfortable to come and care for them at your home, BUT out of the birth room.
What kind of training do midwives have?
That is an excellent question and a great question to ask when you are interviewing midwives especially in Minnesota because there are so many possible combinations!
There are several types of midwives in the U.S. and may practice slightly different. First, there are Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and their primary training is in a hospital setting and most often practice in a hospital or a birth center attached to a hospital. They have a nursing degree and a graduate degree in nurse midwifery. Some CNM’s attend out-hospital births, but a lot of times it depends on if they have a job in a hospital. Second, there are Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) and their primary training is in a home birth setting or out of hospital setting. A CPM is a knowledgeable and skilled professional independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives. Depending on circumstances it can take anywhere from 2-5+ years to get your CPM credentials. Some CPM’s in Minnesota have the option of becoming licensed by the state, which gives them the title of Licensed Midwife (LM).
Do I have to see a doctor as well?
As a CPM, LM my scope of practice is normal healthy pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum care. Therefore, it is not necessary for you to see a doctor if all is normal! Sometimes, I have encouraged clients to set up an initial appointment with an OB of their choice in the case of a transport. In the area I serve it has made transports much easier if the client is already in the hospital system. Also, if the family wants an ultrasound they can get that done with the OB.