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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A MIDWIFE?

In short, a midwife is a person who provides care to women throughout their entire reproductive life cycle. There are different types of midwives including direct-entry midwives, certified nurse midwives, and certified professional midwives (like yours, truly). The thing all midwives have in common, regardless of training or location is the emphasis on pregnancy, labor, and birth as a normal physiologic process. 

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The Midwifery Model of Care describes the 4 tenets of midwifery care:  

  • monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother/birthing parent throughout the childbearing cycle

  • providing the mother/birthing parent with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support

  • minimizing technological interventions and

  • identifying and referring women/birthing people who require obstetrical attention.

DO I NEED A BIRTH PLAN?

Having a birth plan is a great way to communicate your desires to your birth team as well as a tool to educate yourself on your options regarding the care you wish to receive. You are not obligated to make a birth plan for your birth, however the process of making a birth plan can provide you and your partner a time to discuss expectations and desires for your birth! 
It is also great to have in the event of a transfer to the hospital.

IS HOMEBIRTH SAFE?

Short answer: Yes! 
Homebirth is a safe alternative for healthy, low-risk pregnancies. Throughout prenatal care your midwife is continually assessing the health of you and your baby and determining if homebirth is still a safe option for you.

DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?

Due to the lack of midwifery regulations in the state of Iowa, many insurance companies do not cover the cost of CPMs. This does not mean that you cannot be reimbursed by your insurance company. Your midwife can refer you to a third-party biller who works with you to verify your benefits and submit an insurance claim if homebirth is covered.

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