Frequently Asked Questions about Homebirth
How Safe is Home Birth?
For many healthy women with low-risk pregnancies, a home birth can be a gentle, safe, and empowering choice. It often allows labor and birth to unfold naturally, with fewer medical interventions and a calmer, more personal experience for both mother and baby.
Within the midwifery model of care, research shows that low-risk women who choose home birth experience significantly lower rates of interventions such as episiotomy, assisted delivery, epidurals, induction, and infection. They are also more likely to be breastfeeding successfully at six weeks postpartum compared to similar women who give birth in hospitals. Most reassuring of all, planned home births attended by licensed midwives have a cesarean rate of just 5.2%—far below the national average of 31% for full-term pregnancies. My current ceserean rate is less than 1%.
These outcomes reflect the thoughtful, low-intervention approach of midwifery care, paired with the reassurance that higher-level medical support is available whenever it’s needed. Our goal is to support you, listen to you, and help you feel confident, cared for, and deeply respected throughout your birth journey.
Is Natural Birth Safer At A Hospital?
There is no such thing as a pregnancy or birth without risk, and that’s okay to acknowledge. Every birthing setting—whether at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital—comes with its own considerations. What matters most is understanding those risks and choosing the environment that best supports your health, your baby, and your peace of mind.
Home birth midwives specialize in normal pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. We know what healthy, normal processes look like, and we take the time to support your body, answer your questions, and nurture wellness throughout the entire childbearing year.
If you choose to work with me, your prenatal visits become a space for connection, learning, and ongoing assessment. We walk this journey together, thoughtfully and intentionally. You can feel confident knowing that if we are at home for your labor and birth, it’s because I truly believe you are well-suited for a birth that is not only safe, but also deeply positive and life-affirming.
Why Would I Want to Give Birth At Home?
Home birth creates space for care that is truly centered around you. No two women are the same—and no two pregnancies are either. My care is thoughtfully tailored to each individual woman, and even with the same family, it can look beautifully different from one pregnancy to the next. I shape my care around your values, your hopes, and your unique needs, honoring who you are and what matters most to you.
I believe that trust is the foundation of safety, and trust grows through time, presence, and truly knowing one another. The most meaningful and intimate relationships we build are often within our own homes, which is why home can be such a powerful and supportive setting for maternity care. I invite you to hear directly from families I’ve had the honor of serving—watch their stories to learn more about their experiences and explore whether planning a home birth might feel like the right choice for you and your family.
What Equipment Do You Have for Home Birth?
I come to every birth prepared with the same essential tools you would find in a Level 1 hospital, so you can feel confident knowing safety is always a priority. Below is a list of what we bring with us to every home birth:
- Waterproof, intermittent fetal monitoring
- Labor support tools, including herbs, homeopathy, essential oils, and other comfort measures
- Anti-hemorrhagic medications such as Pitocin, Cytotec (Misoprostol), Methergine, Etc..
- Oxygen and newborn resuscitation equipment
- Suturing supplies and local numbing medication
- IV fluids and antibiotics (available for prophylactic treatment of GBS for mothers who screen positive late in pregnancy if they choose)
- Catheter equipment
My team and I are mindful guests in your space, adapting to the rhythm and energy of your home. We listen to your baby in any position that feels right to you, and support your unique way of welcoming your baby into the world. As needed, we offer nourishment, suggest gentle position changes or comfort measures, and provide steady reassurance—reminding you of your strength and your ability to do hard, meaningful things. Routine vaginal exams are not a part of my practice but can be requested.
After your baby is born, we remain with you for several hours, ensuring both you and your baby are stable and well before we leave. During this precious early time, we support the initiation of breastfeeding and perform a thorough head-to-toe newborn exam, with Vitamin K and erythromycin eye ointment available if you choose.
What If Something Isn’t Normal?
A deep understanding of what’s normal in pregnancy and birth is a cornerstone of midwifery education and training. I hold profound respect for pregnancy and birth as healthy, natural processes, while also honoring the important role medical technology can play when it’s truly needed.
I stay closely attentive throughout your care, watching thoughtfully for any changes that may signal concern. When something begins to shift, I respond calmly and promptly, using the tools and skills I have to help guide things back toward a healthy, normal course. And if at any point more support is needed than can safely be provided at home, I will coordinate consultations or make timely referrals to the appropriate medical providers—always with your wellbeing and your baby’s safety at the center of every decision. During a transfer of care, my staff and I do our very best to stay with the client and keep continuity of care.
What If the Umbilical Cord is Wrapped Around the Baby?
A cord wrapped around a baby’s neck during birth is not uncommon. In fact, 1 in 3 babies has this issue. If this happens, I will gently unwrap the umbilical cord from the baby after birth.
What If We Need to Transfer To A Hospital?
I understand—both personally and professionally—how unsettling the idea of a hospital transfer can feel when you’re planning a home birth. My team and I work diligently to support you in staying home safely whenever possible, and when a transfer is truly the best choice, we focus on making the experience as calm, coordinated, and seamless as we can.
The most common reasons I see a hospital transfer is after a long labor at home, when a mother needs rest, or some type of intervention to still achieve a vaginal delivery. In these moments, the decision is clear, shared, and fully supported by everyone involved. I am always transparent with my clients, explaining what I’m seeing, what I’m thinking, and why I’m making any recommendation. These conversations are ongoing, never sudden, and never surprising.
When a non-urgent transfer is needed, there is time to move at your own pace—gather your belongings, take a breath, and transition gently. I call ahead to your chosen hospital, send your records, and offer to accompany your family to continue supporting you, advocating for your wishes, and providing labor support within the hospital setting. Meanwhile, my assistant stays behind to clean and tidy your home so you can return to a calm, welcoming space. After discharge, we simply pick back up together with your postpartum and newborn care.
In more time-sensitive situations, we work closely with EMS to facilitate a safe transfer. We are trained and equipped to keep both mother and baby stable while moving quickly toward the higher-level technology and support that may be needed.
What About the Clean Up Afterwards?
You may be pleasantly surprised to find that your home often looks even better than it did before your birth by the time we leave. We’re mindful about minimizing messes and cleaning as we go, keeping your space calm, comfortable, and cared for throughout the experience. We wash your laundry, clean your tub, and make your chosen space peaceful and cozy.
After your baby is born, we’re happy to do the little things that make a big difference—like washing dishes after serving you a cozy meal in bed. We’re not professional cleaners, but we are moms who understand that the best way to rest, bond, and soak in those early moments is to know your home is peaceful, organized, and lovingly looked after.
Is Home Birth Covered By Insurance?
Insurance coverage for home birth can feel uncertain, as plans vary widely in what they do and do not cover. Some families find that their insurance reimburses a portion of our fee, while others receive full coverage. To help bring clarity, we suggest calling your insurance company directly. We are happy to offer an itemized and coded bill for the insurance company. This can give you a better understanding of what your plan may offer.
I encourage families to plan as though midwifery care will be an out-of-pocket expense. What most families don’t realize is that our fee is usually significantly less than even their out of network deductible. I do my very best to keep my fees affordable for every family because I truly belive everyone deserves to have the experience of birthing at home. My goal is to keep this process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, so you can stay focused on preparing for your baby.
I encourage you to check with your insurance provider.
How Do I Get a Birth Certificate?
We file for your Birth Certificate and the baby’s Social Security card directly with the state. One simple form for you to fill out and we do the rest.
