Womblove Birth Services

Homebirth

1. Am I a good candidate for homebirth?

   Many factors will determine whether homebirth is a good choice for you. Generally speaking homebirth is a great choice for healthy moms and healthy babies.  Are you a mom in good health? Are you expecting a healthy term baby?  If you've had a previous vaginal term birth with little to no complications it's a good indicator that homebirth may be a good choice for you! (yes, even if you had pain meds)  A woman who has had a previous cesarean may also have a homebirth depending on circumstances.  A healthy woman with twins may also be a good candidate.  A woman who desires to become educated and be fully informed of her care and take the initiative and responsibility for keeping herself and her baby healthy.  The only way to find out if homebirth is the right choice for you is to talk to a homebirth midwife.  Some midwives are more comfortable with certain situations than others.  To find out if your a good candidate call me at 512-227-0292 or email at sasha@womblove.com

   
   

2. Who is not a good candidate for homebirth?

   Women with serious heath conditions that the stress of labor may complicate.  Women wih pregnancy complications that cannot be resolved which may make delivering at home unsafe such as placenta previa (placenta covering the cervix), uncontrolled high blood pressure, etc.  A women who is expecting a baby who may be compromised due to a birth defect such as spina bifida.  A woman who has a poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle with no desire to change it or a woman with health complications who is unwilling to take responsibility for her education and information to become as healthy as possible.  

3. How much will a homebirth cost? What are my payment options?

   The cost for your homebirth  is $2800.  This includes all of your prenatals, post-partums and newborn care for the first six weeks.  Additional costs are lab work, ultrasound (if desired), birth kit, birth pool rental & newborn screen. There is also an additional charge for RH- mothers for medication if needed/desired.   

   Payments can be divided and made monthly over the duration of your pregnancy.  There is a discount for payment in full.  Sliding scale, discounts and barters are occasionally considered on a case-by-case basis.  I accept most insurance. Unfortunately I am unable to accept Medicaid at this time but Texas midwives are trying! I do offer a Medicaid discount. I also accept credit card payments either monthly or in full.  You would probably finance a vacation right? Your babys birth is worth it too!  

4. Will my insurance pay for my homebirth?

   There are groups working their tails off to make this a reality for ALL insurance carriers including medicaid!  Currently only some insurance providers will partially pay midwives as an out of network provider others will pay full price for us in-network.  It is our hope to provide care and be paid our worth for what we do by all insurance carriers.  Many times the cost of a homebirth is less than or equal to the copayment for maternity services!  The best way to find out if  and how much your insurance will cover  is by calling or emailing me and allowing me to do a verification of benefits.  It takes just a few minutes.  Either way I will try to work with you to make  homebirth affodable for you.  

5. Do you provide full prenatal care?

   Yes I do.  Once we start your care we meet once a month until your 34th week,  then we meet bi-monthly and then weekly or as needed in your last weeks of pregnancy.  A routine prenatal includes measuring the growth of your baby, listening to the heartbeat (by doppler &/or fetoscope) checking baby's position and checking on mom with a blood pressure and urinalysis. All of these are done gently and respectfully all the while educating you to the why and how this information is helpful. Each visit lasts about an hour and most is spent answering questions and giving information.  Initial bloodwork will be drawn and additional lab work and screenings are offered as necessary or when requested, these include HIV, STD testing,  AFP, Gestational diabetes screening, Ultrasounds, Group B Strep some of these are done in office and some may be done by referral. If at any point additional care is needed you will be referred to a trusted care provider.