Considering Home Birth? Frequently Asked Questions
What is a midwife?
A midwife is a skilled caregiver who provides childbearing families with prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. There are 3 types of midwife credentials in Colorado: Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs) are credentialed by the ACNM and practice in hospitals, birthing centers, and private homes. Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), also known as Registered or Licensed Midwives, attend births in private homes and birth centers and are credentialed by NARM..
How do I find a midwife near me?
Most women probably find a midwife via internet searching, social media or word-of-mouth referrals. Ask your friends and colleagues about their birth providers. It’s a great idea to interview several midwives so you find the best fit for you!.
What is the advantage of having a credentialed or licensed midwife?
Credentialed midwives have a verifiable level of experience. They can legally carry life-saving medications, file your baby's birth certificate, order labs and ultrasounds, and perform newborn screenings. In the rare event of an emergency, credentialed birth attendants are prepared, trained, equipped, and will remain by your side every step of the way. Many registered or licensed midwives can help you bill insurance, as well.
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
Midwives are clinical care providers. Doulas do not provide clinical care; they do not assess any vital signs, do cervical checks or help with possible complications. Doulas excel at providing emotional and physical support to the laboring woman and her partner/spouse. They often suggest position changes, offer comfort measures and coping techniques, encourage movement and hydration, and keep the energy flowing and positive. Midwives and doulas work really well together and are both vital members of your birth team.
What is a freebirth or UC?
A freebirth or UC (unassisted childbirth) is when the mother or couple chooses not to have a midwife or other skilled birth practitioner attend their birth. They take complete responsibility for the birth process, including handling any challenges which arise.
What or who is a birthkeeper?
A birthkeeper is someone who has studied birth, and often has given birth herself. Birthkeepers choose not to obtain any license or credential. Their backgrounds, training, skills, equipment and level of experience vary greatly from person to person. They may be a skilled traditional midwife, or they may be someone with very little actual birth experience who will witness your birth process but not help in any way. Ask!
Why have a waterbirth at home?
Water immersion can be a soothing balm for the intensity of labor contractions, helps your tissues stretch with ease, and facilitate a gentle transition for babies. Most homebirth midwives offer a specially designed "birth pool”—ask about this when interviewing!
What are my options for pain relief?
Pain relief at home is strictly non-pharmacologic and can include water (shower or bath), position changes, heating pads, massage, acupressure, counterpressure, and herbal and homeopathic remedies. The perception of pain is related to how safe or fearful you feel; often being in your own space, surrounded by loving people, reduces feelings of anxiety and pain.
Can you suggest some good homebirth videos?
There are so many good ones out there! A favorite is These Are My Hours
What home birth supplies do I need?
A home birth kit will contain things your midwife needs to keep your birth hygienic and to keep you as comfortable as possible including underpads, sterile gloves, sterile gauze, an herbal “sitz bath” blend, mesh underwear and a peri-bottle. In preparation for your birth you will gather some common household items such as: a mixing bowl (for receiving the placenta or making cold compresses), your favorite water bottle, a large stock pot (for boiling water), a strainer (for herbs), and a large stack of towels.
Is homebirth messy?
Birth is not as messy as people think it is! Midwives are quite good at containing birth fluids, cleaning up, and will even start your laundry before we leave.
What can I eat and drink during labor?
You can eat and drink whatever you’d like! There are no restriction at home. Some easily digested, high-energy foods to support labor include coconut water, electrolytes, fruit, toast with nut butter, miso broth, smoothies, kefir or yogurt.
My friend said she was eating her placenta—is she serious?
Probably! Placenta encapsulation has become quite popular.. Some mothers will place a small piece in a smoothie to aid postpartum recovery.
Will my homebirth be covered by insurance?
The short answer: sometimes. Some midwives supply you with a coded invoice or superbill that you may submit yourself; others work with professional billing companies who will facilitate the billing process for you. Most community-based midwives' fees are similar to the deductible that would apply if you birthed in a facility.
A midwife is a skilled caregiver who provides childbearing families with prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. There are 3 types of midwife credentials in Colorado: Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Midwives (CMs) are credentialed by the ACNM and practice in hospitals, birthing centers, and private homes. Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), also known as Registered or Licensed Midwives, attend births in private homes and birth centers and are credentialed by NARM..
How do I find a midwife near me?
Most women probably find a midwife via internet searching, social media or word-of-mouth referrals. Ask your friends and colleagues about their birth providers. It’s a great idea to interview several midwives so you find the best fit for you!.
What is the advantage of having a credentialed or licensed midwife?
Credentialed midwives have a verifiable level of experience. They can legally carry life-saving medications, file your baby's birth certificate, order labs and ultrasounds, and perform newborn screenings. In the rare event of an emergency, credentialed birth attendants are prepared, trained, equipped, and will remain by your side every step of the way. Many registered or licensed midwives can help you bill insurance, as well.
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
Midwives are clinical care providers. Doulas do not provide clinical care; they do not assess any vital signs, do cervical checks or help with possible complications. Doulas excel at providing emotional and physical support to the laboring woman and her partner/spouse. They often suggest position changes, offer comfort measures and coping techniques, encourage movement and hydration, and keep the energy flowing and positive. Midwives and doulas work really well together and are both vital members of your birth team.
What is a freebirth or UC?
A freebirth or UC (unassisted childbirth) is when the mother or couple chooses not to have a midwife or other skilled birth practitioner attend their birth. They take complete responsibility for the birth process, including handling any challenges which arise.
What or who is a birthkeeper?
A birthkeeper is someone who has studied birth, and often has given birth herself. Birthkeepers choose not to obtain any license or credential. Their backgrounds, training, skills, equipment and level of experience vary greatly from person to person. They may be a skilled traditional midwife, or they may be someone with very little actual birth experience who will witness your birth process but not help in any way. Ask!
Why have a waterbirth at home?
Water immersion can be a soothing balm for the intensity of labor contractions, helps your tissues stretch with ease, and facilitate a gentle transition for babies. Most homebirth midwives offer a specially designed "birth pool”—ask about this when interviewing!
What are my options for pain relief?
Pain relief at home is strictly non-pharmacologic and can include water (shower or bath), position changes, heating pads, massage, acupressure, counterpressure, and herbal and homeopathic remedies. The perception of pain is related to how safe or fearful you feel; often being in your own space, surrounded by loving people, reduces feelings of anxiety and pain.
Can you suggest some good homebirth videos?
There are so many good ones out there! A favorite is These Are My Hours
What home birth supplies do I need?
A home birth kit will contain things your midwife needs to keep your birth hygienic and to keep you as comfortable as possible including underpads, sterile gloves, sterile gauze, an herbal “sitz bath” blend, mesh underwear and a peri-bottle. In preparation for your birth you will gather some common household items such as: a mixing bowl (for receiving the placenta or making cold compresses), your favorite water bottle, a large stock pot (for boiling water), a strainer (for herbs), and a large stack of towels.
Is homebirth messy?
Birth is not as messy as people think it is! Midwives are quite good at containing birth fluids, cleaning up, and will even start your laundry before we leave.
What can I eat and drink during labor?
You can eat and drink whatever you’d like! There are no restriction at home. Some easily digested, high-energy foods to support labor include coconut water, electrolytes, fruit, toast with nut butter, miso broth, smoothies, kefir or yogurt.
My friend said she was eating her placenta—is she serious?
Probably! Placenta encapsulation has become quite popular.. Some mothers will place a small piece in a smoothie to aid postpartum recovery.
Will my homebirth be covered by insurance?
The short answer: sometimes. Some midwives supply you with a coded invoice or superbill that you may submit yourself; others work with professional billing companies who will facilitate the billing process for you. Most community-based midwives' fees are similar to the deductible that would apply if you birthed in a facility.
| Here Are Some Questions to Ask a Prospective Midwife |
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Adrienne Leeds is a Certified Professional Midwife and Registered Midwife living in Longmont, CO. She is certified by The North American Registry of Midwives and licensed by the CO Department of Regulatory Agencies. She offers homebirth and waterbirth services including comprehensive, holistic, nurturing prenatal and postpartum care in Boulder County, Broomfield, southern Larimer County, western Weld County, and the Peak-to-Peak.
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