Frequently Asked Questions!
What type of Midwives are we?
We hold the balance of the art and science of midwifery - with one hand honoring practical ways to allow the physiological process to unfold while the other hand honoring the mystery, sacredness, and profound transformative nature of birth. We value and deeply respect the legacy of midwifery, and are honored to carry this tradition forward.
We are licensed midwives (LM) by the Medical Board of California. We also are Certified Professional Midwives, which is the national certification for direct entry midwives.
Direct entry midwifery emerged from the traditional apprenticeship model of education of midwifery with current requirements of a 3 year education focusing on midwifery skills (and basic nursing skills) for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and the newborn. The licensure of direct entry midwives varies from state to state.
What about the pain?
We use simple tools to move through the intensity of birth. These tools include freedom of movement, hydrotherapy (birth tub and showers), mindfulness practices, physical touch, and labor support. Labor support includes affirmations and reassurance about the progress of the labor. Both tradition and modern science show that this type of support leaves birthing people feeling confident and empowered during their birth, as well as reducing the need for medical interventions. We are unable to provide medical pain management in the homebirth setting.
We strongly encourage our families to consider labor support from a doula and to take childbirth preparation courses to prepare for the journey of a physiological birth.
Can I have a water birth?
Yes! We have birth tubs available for rental, and offer guidance on how to make this option possible for your birth.
Is my space too small to have a homebirth?
You don’t need a lot of space to have your baby at home! We have attended births in studios, apartments, cottages, public housing, houses and even RVs. We need access to running water. You can create your Birthland anywhere you call home.
What do you mean by birth options?
You have options when it comes to your birth! As community midwives, we are able to attend healthy pregnancies and births at home*. There are circumstances in which homebirth may not be the best choice (for example if a medical condition arises or there are housing issues). We can provide midwifery prenatal and postpartum care in these cases while supporting you to find the best maternal health care provider for your birth.
*Community Midwives also attend birth center births, however, Birthland Midwifery is not a birth center and does not offer birth center birth.
What happens if there is an emergency?
We share your goal of having a healthy birth. Part of what keeps homebirth safe is making a detailed emergency plan. We will make this individualized plan with you during your care. We recognize that not having immediate access to emergency care is the biggest concern for out of hospital birth. As midwives we minimize interventions that require emergency care, as well as anticipate situations when this type of care is warranted so we can transfer care to a higher level facility (hospital) in a timely fashion.
Do you help file the birth certificate?
Yes! After the birth, we will provide you with a verification of birth form, affidavit of birth, and birth certificate worksheet that you will present to the vital statistics office. We will connect you with the vital statistics office and guidance through the process.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes! Birthland Midwifery accepts most private insurances* as out of network providers. Your out of network benefits will apply towards our care.
We ask that clients pay our full fee by the 36th week of pregnancy, and we will reimburse you once your insurance company pays. Billing claims to your insurance are submitted after the birth. Insurance companies pay anywhere from 8 weeks postpartum to 1 year after the birth. The amount the insurance will reimburse cannot be known in advance.
You can verify your private insurance benefits for $40 with our biller here. After your benefits are verified, Birthland will then be able to file a claim after the birth.
*We are unable to bill for HMO plans, Kaiser or Tri-care insurance. We have billed for Aetna, Bc/Bs, Cigna PPO plans in the past.
**Payment for Birthland Wellness services (massage, acupuncture, lactation support) must be arranged directly with the practitioners and are not included in the billing services provided for midwifery care.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes! We believe the future is accessible midwifery care*. We have different packages for people who are low-income with no insurance, Medi-Cal recipients, underinsured (Covered California-HMO), and Kaiser.
Everyone who signs up with us “pays it forward” as a portion of their fee deposited in the Birthland Wellness Fund. This fund allows for Birthland Wellness Services (massage, acupuncture, and lactation support) to be accessible and included as a part of Birthland midwifery care. You can donate to this fund here.
We ask that everyone pays a deposit upon start of care, and the remainder of the fee by 36 weeks of pregnancy.
We want to work with you, how do we start?
We are so excited to get to know you! Please fill out the form below to set up a free consult. During the consult, we will listen and answer any questions you may have, as well as learn more about you and what is bringing you to Birthland.
Please fill out this form: