Does insurance cover midwifery?

Often it does! Many insurance companies will reimburse or partially cover the cost of midwifery services. We accept Regence BCBS, PacificSource, Providence, Moda and other major insurance companies, but coverage varies widely depending on the plan. Additionally, we are able to accept payment from HSAs.

We use a third party insurance biller (Birth Professional Billing) to file our insurance claims.

If you would to submit a verification of benefits to check your coverage for midwifery, lactation, or home birth services we are happy to do this free of charge!

We want to be transparent and up front about any costs so that there are no surprise bills following your birth (which is frequently the case following hospital births!).

Do you take Medicaid, such as OHP?

We are proud to offer OHP coverage for our services! We are in-network with all OHP plans, regardless of your CCO. There are some restrictions on who OHP will cover for out-of-hospital birth, but we are happy to talk through these details with you! With prior authorization, OHP covers home birth with us at 100%! We also offer need-based discounts on a case-by-case basis for those unable to receive OHP or private insurance coverage.

Do you offer financing?

We offer payment plans, but expect the full balance to be paid off by 36 weeks in the pregnancy. However, we understand that healthcare expenses can be challenging to pay off on a timeline. We are not able to offer financing, but we are happy to refer you to organizations that do. For example, United Medical Credit are low-interest options to help you finance midwifery services. We are committed to making home birth and midwifery care accessible - we will work with you to come up with a personalized plan to cover the costs of your care.

Do I need to live in a house to have a homebirth?

Not at all! We attend birth in all sorts of spaces including: apartments, airbnb's, hotels, backyards, mobile homes, yurts, tiny homes - you name it! All that we require is that there will be running water, electricity, & cell service. At 36 weeks, we will visit and tour your birth space and work out any details.

What if you are called to another birth when I am in labor?

This doesn’t happen often, but is always possible! Wilder Midwifery is part of a strong community of midwives here in the valley and we support each other through busy seasons! We also cap our monthly birth clients to help avoid overlap and allow plenty of time and space for personalized care. In the rare event that two or more labors are going on at the same time, we’ll call in the help of our trusted community midwives until the Wilder team can get to your home!

Do you take birth photos?

With your permission, we would be happy to document your birth! However, as a disclaimer, we are not professional photographers and cannot guarantee the quality of the photos. If you are interested in keepsake photos, it might be worth checking out our recommended resources to see local birth photographers in the area!

What happens if there’s an emergency?

We are well trained in obstetric emergencies in the community setting. We stay up to date on CPR, Neonatal Resuscitation Certification, and participate in frequent peer review, continuing education, and skills drills. We carry medications and equipment (such as anti-hemorrhagics and IV fluids) to each birth to facilitate in emergency care. Additionally, we will spend ample time throughout your prenatal care discussing what to expect in an emergency situation and developing an individualized hospital transport plan.

What if I have to go to the hospital?

There is no way to predict the outcome of a birth, but current evidence shows us that of all the folks planning to delivery outside of the hospital, 9-13% of them will require a change of scenery. While we can’t predict when these changes will occur, we do our best to prepare you for these events throughout your prenatal care through informed choice discussions and creating an individualized, written transport plan for each family. We feel that speaking openly about the possibility of hospital transport can help families feel more prepared in the moment and limit trauma.

Is homebirth messy?

Nope! We provide plenty of supplies to keep your home clean and tidy, and we make sure that any blood or fluids are immediately cleaned up following the birth. We like to leave your space as clean (or cleaner!) than we found it. We provide your birth kit, full of the supplies you need to keep your space safe and clean, at your 36 week home visit.

Do you offer pain medication?

No. Births that happen at home are all-natural and spontaneous. We don’t administer any pain medications for contractions. However, we do have a variety of pain-relieving techniques that can help parents to cope with labor successfully (including water immersion, acupressure, massage, positioning, homeopathy, etc). *We do, however, offer lidocaine to numb any tissues that need to be stitched after the birth.

Do you offer waterbirth?

Yes! In fact, we provide an inflatable tub, liner and all supplies at no additional cost. Laboring in the water is a great way to relieve discomfort and rest, even if you end up getting out of the tub for birth.

Is homebirth dangerous?

Not for low-risk populations! Multiple research studies have shown the safety of homebirth for low-risk parents to be the same (or safer) than birth taking place in the hospital. There are (of course) risks involved with any birth, and we are trained and skilled in managing emergencies and unexpected complications. We are happy to provide you with research and resources for more information upon request!

What is the difference between a doula & midwife?

We are midwives, meaning we are licensed medical care providers who are qualified to catch babies, administer medications, and provide prenatal + postpartum care. Most midwives spend 4-7 years gaining their education and training prior to becoming licensed.

Doulas are trained labor-support people, who are experienced in comfort measures + education for labor and birth. Many of them also provide postpartum services which can include infant care and meal prep. Emotional support is a key part of their role. Most doulas spend 2-6 months becoming certified.

Both roles are important in birth, but the difference should be clear!

What if labor starts at nighttime?

It probably will! Most births begin at night due to natural hormonal shifts which occur in the evening. We are on call for you around the clock, and are very used to being called out at 2am!

Will I still need to see a doctor if I hire a midwife?

We follow the same schedule of care and offer the same tests that you can have with an OB. During a low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancy, there is no need to see an OB in addition to your midwife. However, there are certain complications or situations that may arise where we will want to consult with a physician, such as gestational diabetes, etc. If this becomes necessary, your midwife will refer you to a local OB, CNM, or specialist and will communicate and collaborate as needed to provide you with the safest plan of action.

Am I a good candidate for homebirth?

Maybe! The easiest way for us to answer this question is through a consultation appointment. We will discuss your health & birth history and determine together where the safest place to birth might be.

Do you offer IUI Services?

As of January 2020 we are now offering midwife-assisted IUI in your home! This is something we schedule on a case-by-case basis following a pre-conception visit and consultation. Contact us for more information, we would love to help you become pregnant!