Will insurance cover your services?
While I am encouraged as more and more insurance policies cover home birth midwifery, not all policies will. To find out, call your insurance company and ask specifically if they cover a licensed midwife. Many policies will cover at least a large portion of the cost

How much do your services cost?
Please contact me to get our current price. What is not included in this fee is the cost of routine lab work (which can sometimes be performed by a physician through your insurance), childbirth class, 2 Dr visits (as required by law) and a birth kit. The fee should be paid by 37 weeks unless other plans have been agreed on

What are prenatal visits like and where do they take place?
I schedule prenatal visits on the same schedule that most physicians' offices do. Every four weeks until the 32nd week, then every two weeks until the last month when visits occur every week until the birth. A typical prenatal visit lasts about an hour and encompasses the following:

• Discussions about nutrition
• Discomforts
• Family relationships
• Desires for the birth
• Parenting issues
• Emotional readiness
• Questions about pregnancy and/or birth
• Blood pressure check
• Urine check (for information on a mother's kidney function, etc.)
• Measurement of baby's growth
• Abdominal palpation to determine baby's position
• Listening to baby's heartbeat.

Prenatal visits are done in my home. Sometimes I can do extra home visits. One visit at 36 weeks is in your home and we invite all who will be at birth and do a pot luck meal along with a prenatal visit.

In addition to prenatal appointments, I am available to my clients via phone or email to answer any questions or concerns. There are no such things as silly or stupid questions, and I encourage any concerns about your or your baby's well being to be brought up with me between appointments.

How many births do you do a month and what if you have two people in labor at the same time?
I have many midwife friends and we back each other up. It is rare for this to happen as I only do approximately 1-2 births a month. You may still have the apprentice you have met. Clients have a choice in whom the assistant midwife will be for their births - it is very important that the birth team is made up of people that the couple feel comfortable with and trust.

What do you bring to a birth?
I bring the following equipment to births: oxygen and resuscitation equipment, herbs, anti-hemorrhage drugs such as Pitocin should a client bleed more than normal after the birth (if herbs do not remedy the bleeding), sterile instruments (for clamping and cutting baby's umbilical cord), a fetoscope and doppler to listen to baby's heart rate during labor, and general support items such as massage oils, aromatherapy oils, etc.

What about water birth?
It is my goal to support women in birth however they desire, whether it's on their bed, in water, or standing up. Of course, there are many options beyond those three, and if a couple wants to use water for their labor and/or birth, I feel completely comfortable assisting with that. I have a few leads on birth tub rentals, or ideas on how to create your own birth tub.

What if there is a problem during the labor and/or birth?
While there are a wide range of "problems" one can encounter during labor or birth, I strive to intervene as little as possible, thereby reducing any risk of complications. Should an issue arise, for instance, with the baby's heart rate, there is usually ample time to transport to the hospital. Hospital choices are discussed prenatally with the parents, taking into consideration insurance coverage, physician relationships, and general support / respect for home birth families. Once I transport a client to the hospital, I stay by her side helping her and her partner with decisions, support and encouragement until her baby is safely delivered and both mother and baby are stable. Postpartum appointments then continue as normal, as well as breastfeeding and parenting support.

What about the mess?
This is such a common question - some people perceive birth to be a horribly messy event. While there are fluids such as amniotic fluid and blood involved, the mess is often quite less than the general public would assume. Instructions are given prenatally on how to make up a bed so that the mattress stays "safe", and under pads are included in the birth kit to help absorb fluids during the birth process. We also clean up after the birth, washing the sheets and towels and doing the dishes. Most of the time, it's hard to even know we were there!

Can we have family / friends / siblings at the birth?
Who a couple chooses to have witness their birth is a personal choice. Prenatally, we can discuss your concerns and hopes regarding the birth, the atmosphere, and what is important to the family. I encourage siblings to be present for the birth, provided they are supported by another adult. I do like to have whomever will be at the birth be present for the official "home visit", usually done at 36 weeks, so that we are all familiar with each other and expectations and concerns can be voiced.

What about after the birth?
My assistant and I typically stay for about 2-3 hours after the birth of the baby. We provide breastfeeding support, make sure mother and baby are stable, perform a newborn exam (right next to the mother), check for perennial tears and make sure the new family is fed. We do postpartum visits in the home at 24-36 hrs as required by law. Extra visits are as needed. We recommend a trip to the baby's Dr within 2 weeks. We encourage and can do the PKU test in the 1st week.

I am completely available for questions or concerns any time during the postpartum period (and beyond!), including breastfeeding support. I encourage couples to stay in touch, as it is often a hard "break-up" after the baby comes! I'm also working on having regular potlucks for past/present clients to get together, which is not only wonderful for me, but also is nice for people to meet others in the community who have had or are planning a home birth.

Do you do a free initial consultation?
I do provide a free initial consultation. Please call me for details in setting up an appointment.
In addition, I have a lending library of videos and books relating to birth, pregnancy, childcare, and breastfeeding. These are available to clients at all times.