Homebirth FAQs

Is homebirth safe?

There is ample evidence supporting the safety of homebirth for people who do not have serious underlying health issues and/or pregnancy complications.

As discussed in an Oregon State University article, the largest study to date in the United States of planned homebirth outcomes shows strong evidence of the safety of homebirth. Similar conclusions have been reached by large planned homebirth studies in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and other countries where midwives and homebirth make up a much greater percentage of total births than in the United States.

While our goal as midwives is always a physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy and safe birth, we also acknowledge that birth is an intense and unpredictable experience, and a 100% guarantee of safety is not possible no matter the birth location.

Do you take health insurance? Medicaid?

I am not currently an in-network provider for any health insurance plans. In Vermont and New Hampshire, most PPO-type insurance plans will provide some amount of reimbursement for homebirth midwifery care with out-of-network providers like Wildflower Midwifery. This process goes the most smoothly with you receiving maximum reimbursement when you work with the medical biller I use. They will work to get an out-of-network exception prior to the birth and then complete all the care reimbursement billing after your last visit.

I am not currently able to accept Medicaid, though it is a goal I am invested in working towards. Currently, the price of the malpractice insurance required of all Medicaid providers is cost-prohibitive for my small independent midwifery practice.

I am very open to discussing sliding scale, barter options, and/or extended payment plans to families who are on Medicaid or other families who find that financial concerns are a significant barrier to accessing midwifery care. We can work together to figure out a financial arrangement that feels comfortable for all of us.

What about waterbirth?

I have attended many waterbirths and I am happy to support people that want to labor and/or give birth in the water. Most often people decide in the moment what feels best for them, and sometimes find themselves surprised by their decision either way! Whether or not you choose to birth in the water, many people find water to be an incredibly helpful tool for relaxation and comfort during the intense sensations of birth.

The largest study to date of the safety and outcomes of waterbirth supports what we have seen in practice, that waterbirth is a safe option for both babies and people giving birth. This research is drawn from the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) Statistics Project, and MANA’s position statement discusses the study.

I do not currently have any birth pools to lend to families in my care, but I can connect you with people who do.

I previously gave birth by cesarean, can I still have a homebirth?

Yes! Homebirth after cesarean (HBAC), often called vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), has the potential to be a triumphant and powerful healing experience and it is beautiful to accompany people on this journey as a midwife.

I am happy to provide care for families planning an HBAC. Each family needs to decide what feels right and best for them, so if you are considering homebirth after a previous cesarean but not yet sure, please feel free to reach out and it can be part of our conversation in the free initial meeting I offer to all families.

As a licensed midwife, my care for HBAC families in Vermont and New Hampshire is subject to certain state-specific regulations, including distance to the closest hospital, number of previous cesarean births, months or years since previous cesarean birth, and state-mandated information and consent forms. We can talk more about those details as you want in our initial meeting.

Childbirth Connection has a lot of great information about VBAC, cesarean birth, safety, and decision-making.

What happens with an emergency at home?

The vast majority of our transfers to the hospital from a planned homebirth are not emergencies.

They are almost always situations that develop slowly enough for us to have plenty of time to discuss what is happening, try home-based solutions, continue in conversation as things evolve, and for you to make a well-informed decision to transfer to the hospital without it being an emergency or requiring an ambulance.

As a midwife I am trained and experienced to handle the most common birth complications, such as bleeding or a baby needing extra help to breathe, as is the assistant that I call to be at the birth.

In the case of a true emergency, which is quite rare, we will immediately contact Emergency Medical Services and transport to the hospital via ambulance. Sometimes transfer by car is faster than waiting for an ambulance, so we will consider all options in an emergency. I will accompany whomever needs emergency medical care and stay throughout for support until everyone is stable and recovering.

Please email me if you have any questions that were not addressed above: