What kind of things do you bring to the birth?

Vitals equipment, sterile instruments, a doppler to hear the baby’s heartbeat, herbs for various purposes, and things that I probably won’t have to use like - IV equipment and fluids, medication for bleeding, and oxygen and equipment for neonatal resuscitation.

What about emergencies?

That is a really great question and actually a pretty common one. Just because home birth is for low risk healthy people (and midwives are experts in low risk healthy birth) doesn’t mean we aren’t trained for emergencies. Along with that training comes discernment and decision making skills on when a specialized level of care or transferring is required - and there is no hesitation to transfer when that time comes. Most of the time, we get little “pink flags” before the big red flag for something concerning. And, yes, rarely things pop up we cannot for-see. Alabama also requires us to have a “Transfer of Care” plan to map out exactly where we will go if something like that arises. It’s part of what helps keep home birth safe!

When can I start care?

Some people know they want to birth at home the moment they see a positive pregnancy test, others transfer in from hospital providers at different points in their pregnancy. Typically an initial visit is around 10-12 weeks - it’s a lengthier appointment going over your health history, signing paperwork and doing a short physical. But a “late to care” transfer in is ok - if the space on the calendar is there!

Do you take insurance?

In the state of Alabama, home birth midwives are not in network with insurance companies; however, I can give you a form called a super-bill at the end of your care for you to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. 

Some people chose to use their HSA/FSA accounts with employers for funding a home birth. I do not require the total fee upfront so if you are earlier in pregnancy it gives you time to make those payments or get a financial plan in order. 

I also am a registered provider with a financing company called Advance Care. Their company has a few different interest free options, no sign up fees and a high approval rate. Feel free to bring it up at your consultation. You can also visit their website at www.advancecarecredit.com for more info!

This is my first birth, can I have a home birth?

Yes, you very much can! Please do!

Why midwifery care and home birth?

Midwifery care is shown to improve birth outcomes. With as much money as our U.S. healthcare system spends, our outcomes should be far better. We have an abysmally high maternal and fetal mortality rate. And in Alabama, specifically, we are ranked pretty poorly in our nation. Unfortunately, the odds of something unfavorable happening to you while growing and having a baby (or after), is almost doubled if you are a person of color. Midwifery care is a culturally informed and competent vocation. It is rooted in evidence, compassion and bridges that gap of unnecessary harmful outcomes and racial disparities. It’s intimate care, focused solely on you. Pregnancy is not a disease and or something to be managed. Labor and the emergence of babies usually goes smoothly the less we try to control it. Staying low risk happens in conjunction with low intervention. The medical model of care tends to want to control. People deserve to move the way they want to, eat and drink what they want to - listening to their bodies throughout the laboring and birthing process. You are the most important person in the room at your birth. Your physical health is important, but what isn’t considered enough in mainstream medical practicing is mental health and comfort. We cannot tap into our primal brain, to birth physiologically, if we aren’t comfortable and feel safe. You are the expert on your body; therefore, you are in charge what happens to it. My job is to respect that and respect you.

MANA Statistics Project, Planned Home Birth in the United States.

Outcomes of Planed Home Births With Certified Professional Midwives.