Choosing a midwife and deciding where to give birth are important decisions. Below are answers to some of the questions families most frequently ask about prenatal care, home birth, our practice, and getting started.

Who is eligible for a home birth with a Licensed Midwife?

Home birth is generally an option for healthy, low-risk pregnancies that remain appropriate for out-of-hospital care.

Eligibility is determined individually and is continually assessed throughout pregnancy. Medical and obstetric history, laboratory results, ultrasound findings, current pregnancy, fetal well-being, and other clinical factors are considered when determining whether home birth remains an appropriate option.

The best way to determine whether someone may be a candidate for home birth is through an individualized review of their pregnancy and health history.

What does low risk mean?

Low risk does not mean that every pregnancy must be completely uncomplicated or that one particular factor automatically determines eligibility.

Risk assessment is individualized and continues throughout pregnancy. Medical history, previous pregnancies and births, current health, laboratory testing, ultrasound findings, fetal development, and other factors are considered when determining whether out-of-hospital birth remains appropriate.

Some circumstances may require consultation or collaboration with another healthcare provider, while others may make hospital birth the more appropriate setting.

When should I begin midwifery care?

Ideally, as early in pregnancy as possible.

Beginning care early allows time to establish baseline health information, complete appropriate laboratory testing and ultrasounds, review medical and pregnancy history, discuss nutrition and supplements, and prepare for birth throughout the pregnancy.

Can I transfer to the practice later in pregnancy?

Possibly.

Late transfers are considered individually based on availability, gestational age, previous prenatal care, medical and pregnancy history, laboratory and ultrasound records, and whether there is sufficient time to complete the evaluation necessary for out-of-hospital birth.

Families considering a late transfer are encouraged to contact the practice as soon as possible.

Do I need an obstetrician in addition to my midwife?

Not routinely.

Florida Licensed Midwives are maternity care providers who can provide prenatal care, order appropriate laboratory testing and ultrasounds, attend labor and birth, and provide postpartum and newborn care within their scope of practice.

If circumstances develop that require physician consultation, additional evaluation, or obstetrical care, an appropriate consultation or referral can be arranged.

Do I need a doula?

Yes. All clients planning a home birth with the practice are required to have a doula as part of their birth team.

Midwives and doulas serve different but complementary roles. The midwife's primary responsibility is clinical care and monitoring the health and well-being of mother and baby, while the doula provides continuous emotional and physical labor support.

Having a doula allows each member of the birth team to remain focused on their role while providing the family with consistent support throughout labor.

Specific requirements regarding doula selection are discussed during the onboarding process.

Do I need childbirth education?

Childbirth education is required for all clients planning their first home birth.

Preparing for an out of hospital birth involves understanding the stages of labor, comfort measures, partner support, normal variations in labor, postpartum recovery, newborn care, breastfeeding, and circumstances that may require additional evaluation or hospital transfer.

The goal is for families planning their first home birth to approach labor feeling informed, prepared, and confident in the birth process.

Can I have a water birth?

Yes, when mother and baby remain appropriate candidates during labor.

Some clients choose to labor in water and give birth outside of the pool, while others choose to give birth in the water.

Warm water can provide comfort, relaxation, privacy, and freedom of movement during labor. The decision to remain in the water or give birth in the water is based on the circumstances of the individual labor and the well-being of mother and baby.

More detailed information about water labor and water birth is available on the Waterbirth page.

Do you support VBAC and Home Birth After Cesarean?

Yes. Potential VBAC and HBAC clients are evaluated individually and carefully.

Previous cesarean history, operative records, current pregnancy, individual risk factors, and other clinical considerations are reviewed when determining candidacy. Consultation with a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist may also be part of the evaluation and planning process.

Supporting VBAC and HBAC does not mean minimizing potential risks. It means discussing those risks openly, carefully evaluating individual circumstances, and providing families with the information necessary to make informed decisions.

Additional information about VBAC and Home Birth After Cesarean is available on the VBAC page.

What happens if I need to transfer to the hospital?

Hospital transfer is always part of responsible home birth planning.

Some transfers are non-emergent and occur because labor is not progressing as expected, pain relief is desired, or additional evaluation or medical support becomes appropriate. Other circumstances may require more urgent medical care.

When hospital evaluation or transfer becomes appropriate, the midwife will discuss the situation with the family and facilitate transfer based on the circumstances.

A hospital transfer is not considered a failure. The priority is appropriate care for mother and baby as circumstances evolve.

What equipment does the midwife bring to a home birth?

The midwife arrives with equipment, supplies, and medications appropriate for planned out of hospital birth and within the scope of midwifery practice.

This includes equipment for maternal and fetal assessment, newborn assessment and resuscitation, oxygen, IV supplies and fluids, medications for certain birth and postpartum complications, IV antibiotics when clinically indicated, and supplies and local anesthetic for suturing when repair is needed.

Emergency preparedness and hospital transfer planning are also an important part of prenatal care.

Are ultrasounds and laboratory testing available?

Yes.

Appropriate prenatal laboratory testing, genetic screening, and diagnostic or screening ultrasounds can be ordered as part of prenatal care.

Testing recommendations and options are discussed individually so families can make informed decisions regarding their care.

What is the investment for midwifery care?

Complete information regarding package pricing, what is included, payment options, insurance reimbursement, and other financial information is available on the Investment page.

Do you accept insurance?

The practice does not bill insurance directly.

Families who would like to explore potential insurance reimbursement have the option of working directly with Napier Billing, an independent billing service that can complete a Verification of Benefits and assist families with submitting for possible reimbursement.

Insurance coverage and reimbursement vary by individual plan and cannot be guaranteed.

Additional information about insurance reimbursement, health share programs, and payment options is available on the Investment page.

Is there a discount if I begin care later in pregnancy?

No. The maternity package is not discounted when care begins later in pregnancy.

A significant portion of the clinical responsibility, preparation, on-call availability, labor and birth care, and postpartum care occurs during the final weeks of pregnancy and around the time of birth.

Late transfers may also require additional clinical and administrative review of previous prenatal records, laboratory results, ultrasounds, and other documentation before the midwife can assume responsibility for out-of-hospital birth care.

When does the midwife go on call for my birth?

The midwife is on call for labor and birth beginning at 37 weeks and continuing through 41 weeks and 6 days, as long as mother and baby remain appropriate for home birth.

By 37 weeks, the focus shifts from preparing for birth to being ready for labor whenever it begins. Prenatal care continues throughout this time, with ongoing assessment of both mother and baby as the pregnancy progresses.

What happens immediately after the baby is born?

Whenever mother and baby are doing well, the first hour after birth is intentionally kept calm and focused on bonding. Baby is placed skin to skin with mother, allowing the family time to meet their baby and enjoy those first moments together without unnecessary interruption.

The midwife continues caring for both mother and baby while supporting the golden hour, delayed cord clamping, and early breastfeeding.

After the initial bonding period, a complete newborn examination is performed, including weight and measurements and an assessment of the baby's overall well being. Throughout this time, the midwife continues caring for both mother and baby while allowing the family to remain together and settle in with their new baby.

Breastfeeding support is provided as needed, and both mother and baby continue to be cared for before the birth team leaves the home.

Postpartum and newborn follow up continues after the birth with scheduled visits to support maternal recovery, feeding, newborn growth, and the family's transition during the postpartum period.

How do I get started?

The first step is a complimentary phone consultation.

Because the practice intentionally maintains a limited client volume, prospective clients first complete a brief intake so availability can be confirmed.

During the consultation, families can discuss their pregnancy, previous birth history, birth goals, questions about home birth, and whether the practice may be an appropriate fit.

What if I want to deliver at the hospital or plan to have an epidural?

You can still receive personalized midwifery care throughout your pregnancy even if you are planning a hospital birth.

Some families love the individualized, unrushed approach of midwifery care but prefer to deliver in the hospital or know that they would like the option of an epidural during labor. Our prenatal care for hospital birth clients offers the same thoughtful approach to pregnancy, including individualized appointments, education, laboratory testing, ultrasounds, and preparation for birth.

When labor begins, clients planning a hospital birth present to the hospital for labor and delivery care, where pain management options, including an epidural, are available.

This gives you the personalized prenatal experience of midwifery care while still choosing the birth setting and pain management options that feel right for you.