Is community birth safe?

Yes, for healthy low-risk women. According to a landmark study in the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health (JMWH), which examined 17,000 courses of midwife-led care, planned home births among low-risk women resulted in low rates of interventions without an increase in adverse outcomes for mothers and babies. (Source: Cheyney M, Bovbjerg M, Everson C, Gordon W, Hannibal D, & Vedam S. Outcomes of care for 16,984 planned home births in the United States: The Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004-2009.).  If you are unsure if you are a good candidate for community birth we encourage you to reach out. Reviewing your risk factors is part of our consultation process.

What does community birth mean?

Births that occur outside of the hospital are considered community birth, including home births and births at a free standing birth center. This term is often used interchangeably with out of hospital birth. However, using the term community birth decenters the hospital as the default location of birth.

What happens in an emergency?

Our team is thoroughly trained and skilled in recognizing when a higher level of care is appropriate. While most transfers during community birth are non-emergent, in the case of a true emergency mom and/or baby will be transported via ambulance to the nearest hospital. We do not expect emergencies but have a healthy appreciation that sometimes these things happen.  For this reason, our team is trained for these situations and an emergency transport plan is part of your prenatal care. Please be aware that our midwives do not have hospital privileges and that your care will be transferred to the physicians on call at the hospital. There will be a proper handoff of medical history and records at the time of transfer. While we do not physically transfer with you to the hospital, we continue to be available to you via phone for support as needed during your hospital stay and will continue your postpartum care upon discharge.

What is the Midwifery Model of Care?

The Midwives Model of Care Includes:

• Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle.

• Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support.

• Minimizing technological interventions

• Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

Are Midwives, Doulas and Birthkeepers the same?

No! Doulas can be a wonderful addition to your birth team but they are not medical providers. Midwives are medical providers. We have a wonderful working relationship with many doulas in the community and are happy to make recommendations if you are considering working with a doula in addition to our midwifery care. The term birth keeper means different things to different people. Generally, birth keepers are unlicensed birth attendants who do not have formal training and do not provide medical care.

Do students work with your practice?

Yes! Midwifery education is a key solution to the challenge of providing quality maternal and newborn care for all families. Our students work under the direct supervision of our Midwives and only with your consent.

When should I setup a consultation?

Once pregnant, the sooner the better! We are a low-volume practice that believes in sustainable midwifery, and only take a certain number of clients a month. Therefore, we often fill up quickly.

Do you accept insurance?

At this time we do not accept insurance.  However, we can provide you with a global billing statement at the end of your care to submit for reimbursement.  We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance and inquire about reimbursement, as this can vary.