FAQs

Uneducated people believe what they are told...Educated people question what they are told"
~Author unknown~

(Q) Is it safer to have my first baby in a hospital? 
(A)Women will have greater success in having a normal birth in the comfort of their own home with equipped and knowledgeable attendants. It is well-known that women having their first child in a hospital suffer the most unnecessary interventions and have an excessively high rate of preventable Cesarean sections. It is also well known that first time pregnancies tend to go to 41 to 42 weeks gestation compared to 40 weeks for woman with subsequent pregnancies. This factor isn't calculated into most doctor’s decision regarding inductions of first time labors. Artificial inductions and having labor sped up are disturbingly frequent. Inductions, since they are more painful and stressful, lead to more use of narcotics and anesthesia. All this contributes to higher cesarean rates. Most first time moms will leave the hospital with a scar, either on their perineum (episiotomy)or on their abdomen (c/section).

(Q) Is homebirth legal?
(A) Homebirth is legal in most states, although the details vary from state to state.  Homebirth is legal and growing in the state of Texas. (link to MANA stastics)

(Q) Do you believe all women should give birth at home?
(A) I do believe every woman has the right to have a choice in where she gives birth. Only women who are essentially healthy carrying a normal pregnancy should give birth at home. These women ideally should not smoke, and should consume a healthy diet, with regular exercise. Families who desire homebirth need to be willing to educate themselves and make the informed decisions that need to be made during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and in caring for a newborn. All patients are screened during their entire pregnancy for potential risks necessary to transfer care. I do not accept everyone into my care, each prospective patient is carefully screened.

(Q) Where do I go for prenatal care if I want to have a homebirth?
(A) Midwives provide excellent prenatal care meeting all your prenatal care needs throughout your pregnancy. Check-ups are once a month until you reach 28 weeks. Then check-ups will increase to every two weeks. At 36 weeks you will be seen every week until your baby arrives. You will have complete lab work, and thorough prenatal screening through out your pregnancy. At each visit we will discuss diet, nutrition, and exercise. If a problem should arise you can get a referral to a doctor to determine if homebirth is still a safe option for you.

(Q) Do you test for Group Beta Strep?
(A) We recommend testing for this bacteria at 36 weeks per the Center for Disease (CDC) guidelines. Women who test positive are counseled about the current CDC's recommendations to prevent their newborn from becoming ill. Most clients prefer to test but have the right to refuse the test with written informed refusal if they choose.

(Q) Even though every labor and birth is different, is it ok to have a Birth Plan written in advance?
(A) Absolutely! Keeping an open mind about how your labor and birth will unfold is very important when compiling a Birth Plan. But putting your thoughts and wishes on paper lets everyone know what they are and leaves you free to concentrate on your labor. I also have no problem with moms compiling both a Homebirth Birth Plan as well as an Emergency Hospital Birth Plan so you can relax and know that your wishes are already expressed in the event of a hospital transport. Writing a Birth Plan allows you to explore options that you may not have known were available. EXAMPLE: If there is not an emergency concerning your baby, you may choose to wait and cut the umbilical cord after all pulsing has stopped. You can also decide who will cut the cord.

(Q) What supplies will I need for a homebirth?
(A) I will bring all necessary medical birth equipment to your home for your birth. Included are items such as a Doppler, blood pressure monitor, oxygen and resuscitation supplies, emergency medications along with other important supplies. You will need to purchase a Birth Kit that will supply your birth with all of the disposable consumables used during the labor and birth process. you can order it online here www.InHisHands.com Just enter the name BioBirth to find a birth kit specially put together for our practice. You also need to have available other necessities that will probably be found in your home.
Check here for a Birth Checklist www.???.com

(Q) Will I be confined to a bed during labor?
(A) Absolutely not! We encourage you to walk around and change positions. Freedom to move around actually helps with your comfort level and improves the labor progress. Being confined to a bed is extremely painful for most women during labor.

(Q) I have read much about birth stools, do you have one available?
(A) Yes! I bring a birth stool with me to all births. Some moms choose to use it during labor, some for the actual birth and others for the delivery of the placenta.

(Q) What happens if I am transported to a hospital during labor?
(A) If you are transported I will call the hospital in your area and give report to the charge nurse. I will transfer your care to the physician on call and remain with you as professional labor support and consultant. I can help guide you through the decisions but I can’t make decisions for you at the hospital. Even though a hospital transport requires much more work on my behalf than a homebirth, there is no additional charge to you.

(Q) Can I have homebirth in an apartment?
(A) An apartment is usually more than an adequate place to give birth. Hot water, heat and electricity are usually basic necessities for homebirth but we have done births without all the basics.

(Q) What about any medications during my labor or birth?
(A) There is no routine use of medications in homebirth. Pitocin/oxytocin is routinely used in hospitals to induce or speed a woman’s labor. It is known that this medication can increase the risk of jaundice in newborns. The routine Vitamin K injection may also increase the risk of jaundice. High levels of jaundice can lead to multiple newborn blood draws, limit mother/newborn interaction and can prolong the newborn’s hospital stay. Oral Vitamin K is available if parents don’t want Vitamin K injections.
(link to epidural articles)

(Q) Will I be left with a large mess to clean up after the birth?
(A) No, upon leaving your home there will be very little evidence that a birth took place in your home, except for the little bundle of joy left in your arms. Usually birth at home has less blood loss than hospital births since episiotomies (vaginal surgical incisions) are rarely done; episiotomies tend to lead to extra blood loss. The birth place and your bed are specially prepared and protected. Linens are laundered quickly to remove any soiling. We rarely get blood on the carpeting but hydrogen peroxide removes most blood spots out of carpeting or linens.

(Q)What happens after the birth?
(A) Immediately following the birth, your baby will remain with you. You will never be separated from your baby. After you have bonded with your baby, we will let whom ever you determine cut the cord. We will monitor you and your baby for 2-4 hours after the birth. More time may be needed for first time mothers or a difficult birth/postpartum event. We will then see you again between 24-48 hours after the birth. You may also make an appointment for a 2 week, 4 week and 6 week visit to make sure you are healing well and breastfeeding is getting off to a good start.

(Q) What happens to the placenta/afterbirth?
(A) The placenta was made, just like your baby, from the union of the mother's egg and the father’s sperm. The placenta is truly a biological engineering feat that helped create and support your baby until birth. Most parents bury their child’s placenta with a tree to grow as the baby grows. Some choose a tree that produces nuts, flowers or fruit the month of the child’s birthday to enjoy year after year. This plant or tree is a reminder of the very special day that your child came into this world. If you choose not to plant your placenta, I will dispose of it in the proper manner. A placenta should never be thrown in with general household trash.

(Q) What if you are out of town, on vacation or sick when I go into labor?
(A) I usually plan vacations when no one is due. It would have to be a very serious illness for me not to be able to attend your birth. If I could plan illnesses around birth I would! In an emergency I would call another midwife to serve you or you could choose to go to the hospital. When I commit to being your midwife I plan to be available for approximately three weeks before and two weeks after your due date. I just don’t accept someone in my care and then plan a vacation when they are due. That is very disrespectful of the expecting mother and her family.

(Q) I had an episiotomy with my hospital births, do you give every mom an episiotomy?
(A) Once episiotomies were considered to be a beneficial procedure that would make birth easier for the baby and protect the mother from trauma to the birth canal, episiotomy has been found in study after study to be more harmful than beneficial except in a few cases.  Even so, it continues to be practiced routinely in many hospitals in the U.S. and around the world. I may have to give sutures for a small tear about once a year or less. My average for a necessary episiotomy is once every five years or less.

(Q) Do I need to take my baby to a doctor after the birth?
(A) Yes, with in the first week after the birth. However your baby will have a complete newborn exam at the birth. A thorough newborn exam is done at mom's side in the first couple hours after the baby is born. Your baby will be weighed, measured and checked over from head to toe.  Prior to the newborn exam, baby's lungs and heart rate are assessed while mom is holding the baby.  I am certified in CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation and have EMT training as well. I have experience in resuscitating babies in the case of a rare emergency.

(Q) Will my baby have a birth certificate if I have a homebirth?
(A) Yes. A birth certificate will be filed with the local county clerk’s office within the first five days after your baby is born. You can obtain a copy of the birth certificate by going to your local county clerk’s office and requesting one or by going to their website. www.texasonline.state.tx.us/tolapp/ovra/

Ok I’m ready for an appointment…

(Q) I have maternity coverage on my insurance plan, will insurance cover midwifery care?
(A) In most situations the answer is yes. More and more companies are recognizing homebirth as a reasonable and cost effective option. I have a National Provider Number and have filed claims with most insurance companies. At your initial consultation or prenatal check-up we can assess your insurance plan. I also use Larsen Billing for my insurance claims, they will also be able to answer any difficult questions. (Link to Larsen Billing)

(Q) I don’t have insurance can I still have a homebirth?