Is home birth legal?
Yes, it is legal for you to give birth in your own home. Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives are licsensed providers in the sate of Kentucky and able to attend home births.
Yes, it is legal for you to give birth in your own home. Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives are licsensed providers in the sate of Kentucky and able to attend home births.
Is home birth safe?
The safety of home birth has been well studied. The well done studies concluded that home birth attended by a trained, competent midwife is safe for low risk women. I encourage you to look into the reserach yourself. You can see a large scale study here.
The safety of home birth has been well studied. The well done studies concluded that home birth attended by a trained, competent midwife is safe for low risk women. I encourage you to look into the reserach yourself. You can see a large scale study here.
Is home birth messy?
Not as much as you may think! You will prepare for a home bith by putting some plastic over your mattress and we supply you with underpads that we use during the birth to protect your floor and/or furniture from fluids. When the pads don't quiet do it, hydrogen peroxide does the job. We typically try to spot clean and throw a load of laundry on before we leave after your birth.
Not as much as you may think! You will prepare for a home bith by putting some plastic over your mattress and we supply you with underpads that we use during the birth to protect your floor and/or furniture from fluids. When the pads don't quiet do it, hydrogen peroxide does the job. We typically try to spot clean and throw a load of laundry on before we leave after your birth.
Do you offer water birth?
Yes! You can currently rent a birth pool from Home Sweet Home. You will need to purchase a disposable liner, but we typically have those in stock as well. Alternatively, you can purchase your own pool or sometimes use your bathtub if it is deep enough. Because depth matters, I strongly recommend waiting to purchase your own birth pool until after you've consulted with us.
Yes! You can currently rent a birth pool from Home Sweet Home. You will need to purchase a disposable liner, but we typically have those in stock as well. Alternatively, you can purchase your own pool or sometimes use your bathtub if it is deep enough. Because depth matters, I strongly recommend waiting to purchase your own birth pool until after you've consulted with us.
"I'm XX weeks pregnant, is it too late to switch to a home birth?"
We do accept late transfers, so long we are are not booked up for your due date or you're already in labor.
We do accept late transfers, so long we are are not booked up for your due date or you're already in labor.
Do you attend Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)?
So long as you have only 1 previous cesarean and there is at least 18 months between your cesarean and your due date. An ultrasound for placental location is required for those with a previous cesarean. There may be other factors to consider, so please reach out for a free consultation.
So long as you have only 1 previous cesarean and there is at least 18 months between your cesarean and your due date. An ultrasound for placental location is required for those with a previous cesarean. There may be other factors to consider, so please reach out for a free consultation.
I just found out I'm pregnant! When can I see you and how often will I see you?
We typically see clients for their first visit between 10-12 weeks. We can and will see you sooner if you desire or need an early ultrasound. After that, we follow the same standard scheudle of prenatal care that most maternity care providers use. Starting out, we see you every 4 weeks until 30 weeks. Then we see you every 2 weeks until 36 weeks. After that, we see you once a week until you give birth. You can expect approximately 5 postpartum visits, the first 24-72 hours after birth and the last between 5 and 6 weeks.
We typically see clients for their first visit between 10-12 weeks. We can and will see you sooner if you desire or need an early ultrasound. After that, we follow the same standard scheudle of prenatal care that most maternity care providers use. Starting out, we see you every 4 weeks until 30 weeks. Then we see you every 2 weeks until 36 weeks. After that, we see you once a week until you give birth. You can expect approximately 5 postpartum visits, the first 24-72 hours after birth and the last between 5 and 6 weeks.
When do I need to take my baby to the pediatrician?
We recommend to start seeing your pediatrician when your baby is 2 months old unless there is a problem. We do all the newborn exam and tests that are normally performed in the hospital aport from the hearing screen, which does not need to be done immediately. We will send you paperwork to take with you to the peidatrician so they will have a copy of their medical records since birth.
We recommend to start seeing your pediatrician when your baby is 2 months old unless there is a problem. We do all the newborn exam and tests that are normally performed in the hospital aport from the hearing screen, which does not need to be done immediately. We will send you paperwork to take with you to the peidatrician so they will have a copy of their medical records since birth.
I live in an apartment/RV/small house, can I have a home birth?
Yes! We have attended many home births in apartments or small spaces. If the walls are thin and you have close neighbors (apartments, RV parks, etc.), then you may want to warn your neighbors. Otherwise, it's the same as any other home birth.
Yes! We have attended many home births in apartments or small spaces. If the walls are thin and you have close neighbors (apartments, RV parks, etc.), then you may want to warn your neighbors. Otherwise, it's the same as any other home birth.
What's a monitrice?
A monitrice provides valuable support which includes the skills of a doula plus clinical expertise. Typically, monitrices are midwives or RNs trained as doulas (for more on doulas see this post on my blog) and they blend clinical expertise with support. They conduct limited clinical tasks such as assessing mothers, monitoring vital signs, cervical dilation, and baby's heart rate in addition to practical physical and emotional support provided by doulas. For more info.
A monitrice provides valuable support which includes the skills of a doula plus clinical expertise. Typically, monitrices are midwives or RNs trained as doulas (for more on doulas see this post on my blog) and they blend clinical expertise with support. They conduct limited clinical tasks such as assessing mothers, monitoring vital signs, cervical dilation, and baby's heart rate in addition to practical physical and emotional support provided by doulas. For more info.
Are you licsensed/certified?
I am not yet a licsensed midwife in the state of Kentucky nor am I a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). I am a senior midwifery student, meaning I have completed all of my clinical training. I will graduate from my MEAC accrediated program in December 2024 and will be elegable to sit for the NARM exam (national direct entry midwifery exam) soon after. Once I have passed that exam I will be a CPM and will pursue licsensure in Kentucky shortly after. All clients I accept prior to this date will be with the supervision of a Licsensed Certified Professional Midwife (LCPM) or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
I am also a certified birth doula through Birth Arts International (BAI). I also trained with BAI as a Postpartum Doula, as a Birth & Bereavement Doula through Still Birth Day, and a Birth Coach through Birth Coach Method.
I am not yet a licsensed midwife in the state of Kentucky nor am I a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). I am a senior midwifery student, meaning I have completed all of my clinical training. I will graduate from my MEAC accrediated program in December 2024 and will be elegable to sit for the NARM exam (national direct entry midwifery exam) soon after. Once I have passed that exam I will be a CPM and will pursue licsensure in Kentucky shortly after. All clients I accept prior to this date will be with the supervision of a Licsensed Certified Professional Midwife (LCPM) or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
I am also a certified birth doula through Birth Arts International (BAI). I also trained with BAI as a Postpartum Doula, as a Birth & Bereavement Doula through Still Birth Day, and a Birth Coach through Birth Coach Method.
What area do you serve?
I am located in London, KY and my primary service area is the Tri-County area of Whitley, Knox, and Laurel counties. However, I'll travel up to a 90 minute radius from London.
I am located in London, KY and my primary service area is the Tri-County area of Whitley, Knox, and Laurel counties. However, I'll travel up to a 90 minute radius from London.
Do you take payment plans?
Yes.
Home birth payments need to be worked out with my supervising midwives at Home Sweet Home, but most make payments throughout the course of their pregnancy. The fee inclues all prenatal and postpartum care as well as the birth and assistant's fee. The fee does not include lab tests, ultrasounds, or care given by other providers.
For monitrice services, I require $500 as a non-refundable retainer to be paid upon signing of the contract. The rest is to be paid in full four weeks prior to your estimated due date.
For postpartum monitrice services only, I bill weekly and require payment up front.
Yes.
Home birth payments need to be worked out with my supervising midwives at Home Sweet Home, but most make payments throughout the course of their pregnancy. The fee inclues all prenatal and postpartum care as well as the birth and assistant's fee. The fee does not include lab tests, ultrasounds, or care given by other providers.
For monitrice services, I require $500 as a non-refundable retainer to be paid upon signing of the contract. The rest is to be paid in full four weeks prior to your estimated due date.
For postpartum monitrice services only, I bill weekly and require payment up front.