“Birth is one of the most powerful experiences any woman could go through and one of the most powerful experiences any one of us will ever encounter. That is our start. Is our entrance into this world marked as a ceremony or a medical event?”
- Maria de la Cruz
What are the different kinds of Midwives?
Licensed Midwives (LM) and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) are the two categories of legal Homebirth Midwives in California. Licensed Midwives enter the field through Homebirth apprenticeship along with attendance at a Midwifery school and are licensed and overseen by the California Medical Board. Nurse-midwives enter the field through hospital nurse training and are certified and overseen by the American College of Nurse Midwives. Both LM’s and CNM’s offer full spectrum and comprehensive Midwifery care.
Is a doula the same as a Midwife?
Doulas have understanding and knowledge of the phases of labor and offer emotional support through labor and birth. While doula’s are well versed in helping their client’s navigate labor and birth, in and out of the hospital, they are not medical care providers. Some doulas train with and gain (optional) certification through professional doula organizations. Many doulas learn their trade through their labor and birth experiences.
Is Homebirth Safe?
Birth, like life, is not risk free. Homebirth is not risk free, hospital birth is not risk free. As midwives, our central goal is for you and your baby to thrive. We work with low-risk individuals and use our clinical skills and screenings for ongoing risk assessment. We are trained and experienced in identifying and managing situations which fall outside normal ranges and we are adept at facilitating transfers into medical care when indicated.
Here is some research addressing the safety of homebirth:
Canadian Medical Association Journal: Outcomes associated with planned place of birth among women with low-risk pregnancies
Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health: The Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009
University of Oxford: Birthplace in England Research Program
How much does a homebirth cost?
Homebirth in the Bay Area ranges from $8500 - $5200. This fee includes all prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. Depending on your insurance provider and plan, all, part, or none of the fee may be covered. Midwives, and the billing services we work with, help to get appropriate reimbursement.