As birth  in  our  country becomes more uncertain for some due to the pandemic of Covid-19, we and our sister homebirth  midwives have been inundated with requests for more information regarding homebirth. While we understand the distress that hospitals are creating with limiting or banning partners, families and other support people, we need families to understand that while we believe homebirth is as safe or safer than hospital birth, it may not be the best option for those so choosing out of fear, frustration or anxiety.  

As our families who have chosen the option of homebirth after educating themselves, it is imperative that you are committed to this option. Safe homebirth is built on informed consent and a trusting relationship with your midwife, which develops over many months.   This relationship is more difficult to develop in just a few short weeks, and potentially puts us at risk if we are not fully trusted.
Furthermore, we already have families depending on us for their care, which is not just the typical run in, deliver a baby, and leave kind of care. We arrive at a home when the mother is in active labor and stay at least 2-3 hours after delivery - this can account for several hours.  What we do is labor and mentally intensive.
Finally there may be a reason that a hospital transfer is needed. For mother’s who have vaginally delivered before this is highly unlikely but always a possibility.   

If  you  are  at  all  considering  the  option  of  homebirth,  please  listen  to  our  podcast episode  4  of  Midwife  Partners  Birth  Truth,  in  which  one  of  our  first-time  moms  discusses  why  she  chose  homebirth,  and  also  watch    “Why  Not  Home”,  a  documentary about phusicians  and  other  healthcare  providers  choosing  homebirth,  htips://www.whynothome.com/

And  one  last  comment.    Yes,  we  all have  fees  for  our  services .    High  deductibles and  coinsurance may  make  homebirth  a  cheaper  option  due  to  a  hospital birth  costing  much  more  than  homebirth..    But  again,  you  must  choose  homebirth because  you  have decided  it  is  best for  you.