Who can give birth at home?

Home birth is legal and safe for low-risk pregnancies. Midwives work within a set of laws that define “low-risk” vs “high-risk”, but widely speaking the majority of women have low-risk pregnancies! 

 

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

A midwife provides medical care and monitoring throughout pregnancy and is focused on the health and safety of the mother and baby during labor and birth. A doula is focused on emotional and physical support during your labor and birth and does not provide medical care.

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What is the difference between a CPM (Certified Professional Midwife) and a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife)?

A CPM is a midwife who is specifically trained in and specializes in out-of-hospital midwifery. CPMs typically work in a home birth setting or at a non-hospital based birth center. 

A CNM is a nurse that has obtained further education and training in childbirth and typically works within a hospital or hospital based birth center, though they are able to attend out of hospital births as well. 

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Is midwifery care/home birth safe?

This is probably the #1 question asked by parents! The answer is yes, as safe as birthing in a hospital. Research shows that with low-risk pregnancies, out-of-hospital midwives have similar outcomes as low-risk pregnancies in hospital based care. (Some studies are here, here, and here. MANA statistics results here)To keep out-of-hospital birth safe we monitor throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for potential complications and create an emergency transport plan with every family in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. 

 

What if there is a complication or emergency?

Midwives carry the appropriate equipment and are fully trained to detect and handle complications and emergencies at home throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. That being said, occasionally a complication is such that it is appropriate to transfer to the hospital; part of our job in ensuring the safety of a mother and baby is knowing when it is time to go in for additional care.

 

Do I need to see a doctor for routine prenatal care or testing?

No, midwives provide care from conception through to the postpartum period, including the collection of lab specimens. We are the primary obstetric care provider for the women in our care. For some testing such as ultrasounds or specialty tests that we cannot perform at home, midwives offer referrals if that test is necessary or is requested.

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What is included in the cost of care? 

Our care includes prenatal care, attendance at your birth, and postpartum care. Our fees do not cover the cost of your birth kit, birth tub or any outside services such as ultrasounds or lab fees.

 

Will my insurance pay for my midwifery care?

Some insurance plans will cover a percentage of your midwifery care. It is becoming more and more common for people to have coverage for homebirth, though the majority of the time midwives are not in-network with insurance providers. You may also bill your insurance for any outside services such as ultrasounds or lab fees. 

We believe that midwifery care should be financially accessible to the women who would like to birth at home and here at Moon Sisters we are happy to arrange payment plans that work for families if it is needed.

 

Will I be able to get a birth certificate?

Yes!  Following a home birth your midwives register your baby’s birth with the state and you can order your birth certificates through them.

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