Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing midwifery care and/or home birth is a big decision for many families. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions.
We offer free 30-minute consults so reach out if you still have unanswered questions or would like to get to know us better.
Is it messy?
Often, the biggest concern families have about birth at home is mess and noise. While birth can certainly be both messy and noisy, we are experts at adapting to any home and keep things organized.
We use special covers to protect furniture and floors, clean up after the birth, and maintain a clean, sanitary environment.
Many families say their home was cleaner after the birth than before we arrived.
We love birth songs and music. Birth can be noisy, but it is rarely as loud as it sounds to the birthing person. If you live in an apartment or have other close neighbors, we can guide you with tips on how to alert them to the upcoming big event and encourage community excitement for the newest addition.
Is it safe?
Yes! For low-risk individuals, midwifery care and skilled labor and delivery attendance at home results in equal or better outcomes for birthing person and baby.
What's low-risk? This refers to individuals who do not have major underlying health conditions and who do not develop complications during their pregnancy. We continually monitor for such developments.
If you do have significant health concerns such as Type I diabetes, are undergoing treatment for cancer, live with epilepsy, etc. we recommend that you plan to have your baby in a hospital setting.
If you develop a pregnancy related complication requiring obstetric care, we can continue to provide complementary midwifery care, including home-based postpartum support.
Can I afford it?
We are continually engaged in advocacy and policy reform efforts to achieve equitable health insurance coverage of all birth services, including home birth. If you are interested in becoming active in such advocacy, let us know!
Until then, we know that the cost of paying out of pocket for your reproductive care can be daunting. Families make it work in many different ways:
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Using a health saving account or flexible spending account
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Embracing community support by including contributions to midwife fees in a baby shower registry
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Requesting an extended payment plan
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Being vulnerable and sharing that you need to utilize our sliding scale below the listed low end.
Reform is underway. By 2026 (or earlier), MassHealth and Medicaid plans should cover homebirth and CPM care.
What about pain?
It's true. Advanced anesthesia is not available in out-of-hospital settings.
For many people, this is a reason to choose home birth. For those who want an unmedicated birth experience, laboring away from offers of anesthesia can increase the likelihood of achieving that goal.
For those who want an out-of-hospital birth experience, but are worried about pain management, there are many non-medication based options we offer:
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Water therapy, including water birth. Use of specialized birth tubs has been shown to offer significant pain relief in controlled studies.
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Massage, temperature, and other hands-on modalities for pain management.
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Use of non-pharmacologic agents such as sub-dermal sterile water injections for back labor.
It is also important to understand that pain, anxiety, and fear are closely linked. For many people, laboring in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by people and things you know and which bring you reassurance reduces the pain experienced.