Frequently Asked Questions about
Home Birth and Midwifery Care
Does health insurance cover my care with Columbia Area Midwives?
Columbia Area Midwives do not provide insurance billing. It’s important for you to call your insurance company and find out what they cover and at what percentage. When you have paid out of pocket for and completed your midwifery care we can provide you with an invoice that has dates of service, fees and insurance billing codes for you to submit to your health insurance. Some people find that their insurance covers some or all of the services we provide and that they can recover an out-of-network reimbursement. If you have a high deductible insurance plan you may find our fee for care less costly than a hospital birth.
Why choose home birth when my insurance will cover a midwife in the hospital?
For people who have good insurance coverage, hospital birth may be more economical than home birth. Those who value their autonomy and appreciate being informed and active decision makers find out-of-hospital midwifery care well worth the extra expense. Even under the best circumstances hospitals are large institutions that follow strict policies that are often out of the midwife's ability to control. Some of the issues that are upsetting to patients preparing for a natural birth in the hospital are:
- induction of labor
- augmentation of slow labor
- inability to eat and drink as needed during labor
- routine use of pitocin after birth
- routine use of IV or hep-lock (a port inserted in your vein to keep it accessible)
- policies preventing mothers from giving birth in the labor pool
- mother-baby separation
- routine baby procedures
- compulsory hospital stay of at least 24 hours
- inadequate postpartum follow-up
Is there a refund if we decide to switch providers or make a hospital transfer?
Each midwife provides a contract for her clients that outlines the financial obligations you have to her. Should you decide to change the course of your care for any reason your midwife will refund your money for services she has not provided. It’s important to remember that if you go into labor and your midwife comes to assist you and for any reason a hospital transfer happens at any point during labor, birth or after birth there is no refund provided. If a hospital transfer is needed your midwife will accompany you to the hospital and provide support until your baby is born, she can continue to offer you postpartum care after you return home.
What’s the difference between a home birth and a birth center birth?
Columbia Area Midwives bring all of the supplies and equipment that you would find in a birth center to your home. We also will give you a list of supplies that you will need to gather before birth. We strive to provide continuity of care which means that you are very likely to receive all of your care from the primary midwife that you hire. When you go into active labor a second midwife from our group will join your birth team.
Birth centers typically provide a home-like environment and a staff of providers who share a call schedule which means you don’t know who will be on call when you go into labor or you may experience shift changes during your birth.
Some people choose birth centers because they want to give birth closer to a hospital than their home is located in case they need to transfer for a complication. Others may feel that birth in a birth center sounds 'safer' than birth in the home. This is simply a myth. Birth with knowledgeable, experienced providers with appropriate equipment results in outcomes which are similar in home or birth center settings.
Many birth centers are able to take private insurance and medicaid; however their out of pocket fees are often higher than those of home birth midwives. For some, a home birth is a more economical choice because Columbia Area Midwives offers flexibility in terms of payment plans.
One of the wonderful benefits of home birth is staying home and having your care team come to you. Columbia Area Midwives also provide home visits in the first few weeks after birth to better facilitate a healthy postpartum recovery.
Birth centers typically provide a home-like environment and a staff of providers who share a call schedule which means you don’t know who will be on call when you go into labor or you may experience shift changes during your birth.
Some people choose birth centers because they want to give birth closer to a hospital than their home is located in case they need to transfer for a complication. Others may feel that birth in a birth center sounds 'safer' than birth in the home. This is simply a myth. Birth with knowledgeable, experienced providers with appropriate equipment results in outcomes which are similar in home or birth center settings.
Many birth centers are able to take private insurance and medicaid; however their out of pocket fees are often higher than those of home birth midwives. For some, a home birth is a more economical choice because Columbia Area Midwives offers flexibility in terms of payment plans.
One of the wonderful benefits of home birth is staying home and having your care team come to you. Columbia Area Midwives also provide home visits in the first few weeks after birth to better facilitate a healthy postpartum recovery.
Is my home suitable for a home birth?
Any home that you are planning to raise your child in should be suitable for home birth. Your dwelling does not need to be big, fancy or sterile. We provide care to folks from all walks of life and believe that giving birth at home makes a lot of sense for those that are inclined towards it. It sure feels nice to crawl into your own bed and snuggle up with your newborn after giving birth.
Will home birth make a big mess?
Columbia Area Midwives do their best to contain mess! One of the things we will ask you to supply are tarps for floor protection, under pads, plastic sheets and trash bags. While you and your family are meeting and greeting your new baby we will be quietly putting in a load of laundry, taking down your birthing pool and tidying up the area that you gave birth in before we leave your home.
How will I tell my parents/family that we are planning a home birth?
You are not alone if you are sweating communicating your home birth plans with concerned family members. It’s helpful to remember that for low risk mothers the safety of an out of hospital birth with skilled providers is backed by evidence and common sense. Unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance about modern home birth and midwifery care which leads to fear. We can’t really tell you how to break the news that you are planning a home birth but the more educated you become about home birth and midwifery care the easier it will be to trust your decision and communicate it clearly to people that you want to share the news with. Please see our website menu for evidence based care educational resources.
Do you have additional questions about home birth and midwifery care?
Write those questions down and bring them to a free, no-obligation interview with Columbia Area Midwives. This is an important step in gathering information to see if home birth is right for you and in choosing a midwife. Contact Us! We look forward to a conversation with you!
