Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is home birth safe?
A. Yes! For women without serious underlying medical conditions homebirth is very safe. Large scale studies conducted in the US, the Netherlands, England and other countries all show comparable outcomes for mom and baby with fewer interventions, lower rates of cesarean sections and higher maternal satisfaction with their birth experience. Throughout your prenatal care, we carefully screen for any indication of a developing complication. If the need arises we can collaborate with other providers. During the labor and birth itself, we carefully monitor both you and your baby to ensure that the labor is progressing safely. We also carry emergency equipment to births to manage the unexpected.
Q. Who does home birth?
A. Families from all walks of life choose to receive their prenatal care and deliver their children in their homes. Home birth allows women, and their families, to direct the process and deliver in the manner that feels best. Home birth encourages women to take ownership of their own health and that of their coming child(ren). It allows expectant parents to receive individualised care without the constraints of system protocols necessary in large facilities such as hospitals. Any one who is interested in taking an active role in their pregnancy and birth can choose home birth. Young mothers, 40 year old mothers, first time moms and fifth time moms all choose to birth at home.
Q. Can I use health insurance to pay for my care?
A. Possibly. In Massachusetts while midwifery is legal, home based birth attendants are not recognised by the state. As a result, insurance companies will not include home birth midwives in their provider networks. HMOs will not cover homebirth in Massachusetts. If you have a PPO policy, we can bill to see if they will cover or count your payment toward your deductible. However, you are responsible for determining your policy's coverage and are responsible for any cost not covered by insurance.
Q. Where will I receive my care?
A. At With Woman Midwifery I provide most care in my client's homes.
Q. Isn't home birth messy?
A. While all births involve some mess, home birth midwives are experts at keeping it contained and at cleaning up after the delivery. Simple items such as plastic sheets and absorbent pads protect floors and furniture. We make sure you and your home are in good shape and get the first load of laundry started before we go home.
A. Yes! For women without serious underlying medical conditions homebirth is very safe. Large scale studies conducted in the US, the Netherlands, England and other countries all show comparable outcomes for mom and baby with fewer interventions, lower rates of cesarean sections and higher maternal satisfaction with their birth experience. Throughout your prenatal care, we carefully screen for any indication of a developing complication. If the need arises we can collaborate with other providers. During the labor and birth itself, we carefully monitor both you and your baby to ensure that the labor is progressing safely. We also carry emergency equipment to births to manage the unexpected.
Q. Who does home birth?
A. Families from all walks of life choose to receive their prenatal care and deliver their children in their homes. Home birth allows women, and their families, to direct the process and deliver in the manner that feels best. Home birth encourages women to take ownership of their own health and that of their coming child(ren). It allows expectant parents to receive individualised care without the constraints of system protocols necessary in large facilities such as hospitals. Any one who is interested in taking an active role in their pregnancy and birth can choose home birth. Young mothers, 40 year old mothers, first time moms and fifth time moms all choose to birth at home.
Q. Can I use health insurance to pay for my care?
A. Possibly. In Massachusetts while midwifery is legal, home based birth attendants are not recognised by the state. As a result, insurance companies will not include home birth midwives in their provider networks. HMOs will not cover homebirth in Massachusetts. If you have a PPO policy, we can bill to see if they will cover or count your payment toward your deductible. However, you are responsible for determining your policy's coverage and are responsible for any cost not covered by insurance.
Q. Where will I receive my care?
A. At With Woman Midwifery I provide most care in my client's homes.
Q. Isn't home birth messy?
A. While all births involve some mess, home birth midwives are experts at keeping it contained and at cleaning up after the delivery. Simple items such as plastic sheets and absorbent pads protect floors and furniture. We make sure you and your home are in good shape and get the first load of laundry started before we go home.
