YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE ANSWERS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a home birth midwife, and how is home birth different?
Our philosophy of care as home birth midwives is rooted in expertise and a deep respect for normal, physiologic pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum, which allows for minimal interventions and a focus on the natural processes of childbirth. As home birth midwives, our role is to provide personalized care that supports you through pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum—all in the comfort of your home. A home birth allows you to stay in your own environment, surrounded by the people and things that make you feel safe and calm. Our focus is on creating a peaceful, empowering experience while offering the same level of professionalism and care you’d expect in a medical setting.
Is home birth safe?
Safety is our top priority. Research shows that planned home births with a trained midwife are as safe, or safer in some studies, than planned hospital births for low-risk women and have the same safety outcomes as freestanding birth centers. Home birth is a safe option for healthy pregnancies, and we are trained to recognize and manage any challenges that may arise. We bring the necessary tools and equipment to monitor you and your baby throughout labor and birth, and we always have a plan in place if a transfer to the hospital is needed. Our job is to ensure you and your baby are safe every step of the way while also honoring your preferences and choices.
What qualifications and training do your midwives have?
We are licensed and certified midwives with years of education, training, and hands-on experience in PRENATAL CARE, home birth and postpartum care. Our certifications include Advanced CPR and neonatal resuscitation. We regularly attend continuing education to stay up-to-date on the latest in clinical care, and our team quarterly attends skills workshops and practices emergency drills together monthly. Beyond the credentials, we are deeply committed to serving families with compassion, skill, and individualized care.
We are Certified Professional Midwives (CPM) through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), a credential earned through academic and clinical training that includes a minimum number of births completed under an apprenticeship model with an experienced midwife. You can learn more about the CPM Pathway here. We are also licensed as Certified Direct-Entry Midwives (CDEM) through the state of Indiana. You can learn more about the qualifications for licensure here.
What services are included in a home birth midwifery package?
When you work with us, you’re getting so much more than just someone to catch your baby. Our care includes:
- Prenatal visits: Comprehensive checkups, monitoring, and plenty of time to talk through your questions and concerns.
- Labor and birth care: Continuous support, clinical care for you and baby, and everything needed for a safe and empowering birth.
- Postpartum visits: Ongoing care for you and your baby, breastfeeding support, and guidance as you recover and adjust to life with your new baby.
We are here for you throughout pregnancy and postpartum, offering personalized care tailored to your needs.
How do I choose between a home birth, birth center, or a hospital birth?
This is such a personal decision, and we are here to help you explore your options, whether that’s a home birth, birth center, or hospital setting. We encourage you to think about what kind of experience feels best for you:
- Do you feel more comfortable at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital?
- Are you looking for a low-intervention approach?
- How do you feel about being in charge of your birth environment?
We’ll talk through your preferences, your health, and your goals to help you make the best choice for you and your family.
What is the role of a midwife during labor and birth?
During labor, your midwife is there to guide, support, and monitor you and your baby. We’ll help with comfort measures, suggest positions for labor progress, and provide encouragement. We will stay by your side, ensuring everything is moving along safely and only intervene when requested or needed. When it’s time to meet your baby, we’ll be ready to assist and catch, and afterward, we’ll support you with those first precious moments of bonding and feeding. Our role is to ensure you feel cared for, respected, and safe throughout the entire process.
What happens if complications arise during a home birth?
As midwives, our team is trained to anticipate and manage complications. We carry the tools and medications needed for most situations and are fully capable of stabilizing mothers and babies during emergencies and throughout the transfer process if hospital care becomes necessary. Additionally, we discuss an emergency care plan with you prenatally to ensure you are fully informed and prepared before your birth. If something unexpected arises, we’ll work with you to make the transfer as smooth as possible, staying by your side and continuing to support you, whether at home, in a birth center, or in the hospital.
How do I prepare my home for a home birth?
Preparing your home is simpler than most people think! We’ll provide a detailed list of supplies, but it usually includes things like clean towels, a waterproof mattress cover, and a birth pool if you’re planning a water birth. Our practice also provides a birth kit with disposable clinical supplies to care for both you and your baby during birth. Choose a space where you feel comfortable—your bedroom, living room, or even your bathroom. Keep the atmosphere calm and welcoming with things like dim lighting, music, or anything else that helps you feel relaxed. We’ll help you make sure everything is ready before your big day.
Do you support Breech, Twin, or Late Transfers of Care?
At our practice, we take pride in being one of the select few providers in our area who offer vaginal breech home births (including twin deliveries) and welcome late transfers of care for breech for motivated and appropriate candidates.
Is home birth covered by insurance, and what are the costs involved?
Some insurance plans will cover home birth and midwifery care, and we are happy to work with Midwives Advantage to assist you in navigating your benefits and submitting claims. The cash pay discount is the total fee that is collected during pregnancy regardless if insurance covers your care and home birth. We offer transparent pricing and flexible payment plans to make the care accessible. Our fees include everything—prenatal care, labor and birth support, and newborn and postpartum visits—so there are no hidden surprises. Any additional fees are outlined in the Financial Agreement provided at the start of care.
How can I schedule a consultation or start the process of planning a home birth with your practice?
It’s easy to get started! Just give us a call or fill out the contact form on my website. We’d love to set up a consultation where we can get to know each other, talk about your vision for birth, and answer all your questions. Planning your home birth is such an exciting step, and we can’t wait to help you make it a reality!
