What should I ask my midwife during my consultation/interview appointment?

Finding the right midwifery practice is a critical part of your homebirth journey. Here at Modern Village, we love when clients come with lots of questions because it allows us to evaluate alongside of you if we would be a good fit to work together. We’ve put together a list of FAQs to get you started. Click here to download the PDF.

How do I know if homebirth is right for me?

Homebirth is considered a safe option for women who are healthy and low risk (no preexisting major health problems) with a healthy, normal pregnancy. If you fall into this category, the next thing to consider is where you feel relaxed, safe, comfortable and at peace. When a woman is in labor, her body will work most effectively when she is very relaxed, and nothing interrupts her focus. If you feel like you will be able to relax and focus in the comfort of your own home, then homebirth is likely a good option for you! 

What are the benefits of choosing a group midwifery practice?

At Modern Village we strongly believe in the “village” concept. We are stronger together, and we need each other. How that translates into group practice is that each of your midwives brings there own set of unique experience, skills, passions, and gifts to the group, allowing our clients to benefit from our collective strengths. We are also able to take better care of ourselves and each other, allowing regular time off-call so that our clients are always being cared for by a midwife at her best.

How often will I see my midwives? 

Your prenatal visits with your midwives will follow the same schedule as visits with an OB, with visits every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly until baby comes. This includes one prenatal home visit, where we come to your house and talk about the logistics of the birth (i.e. where you want the birth pool, etc). After your homebirth, we will come back to check on you at home at 24-48 hrs. Then you'll come back to the office at 2 weeks, 4-6 weeks, and 10-12 weeks.

What does it cost / Do you accept insurance?

The cost of a homebirth with Modern Village Midwifery is $4000, to be paid in full by 36 weeks. We offer flexible, individualized payment plans based on your needs. We also offer a discount of $200 if you pay in full by 20 weeks. This is a global maternity fee, which includes all of your prenatal care, labor and birth, and postpartum care for mom and baby up to 12 weeks postpartum. Additional costs to consider are your birth kit, extra supplies if you are planning a waterbirth (about $65), cost of nutritional supplements, and lab and ultrasound fees. Contact us for a detailed cost breakdown and more information on payment plans!

We do not file directly with insurance. Your insurance will often cover your lab work and ultrasounds. You may also self submit an invoice to your insurance for reimbursement for out of network coverage. We are happy to provide you with coded receipts, but do not communicate with your insurance provider directly. For detailed information on cost please contact us for a copy of our Financial Agreement.

Do you carry pain medication?

We do not carry any pain medication, however, there are many things we have access to at home to manage pain. We frequently use water (birth pool or shower), massage, movement and position changes, essential oils, etc, to help mom relax and cope with pain.  

What about waterbirth?

Many say water is like a natural epidural. The birth pool is an excellent tool for labor, to help manage pain and aid relaxation. We provide the birth pool at no additional cost. You just have to purchase a disposable liner for the pool, and some additional supplies. Not only is the water beneficial for the birthing mother, but it also provides a gentle transition for the baby into the world. 

Is homebirth messy?

Messy or not, your birth team is also your clean up crew! We take certain precautions, such as a mattress protector that comes in your birth kit, and laying a tarp down under the birth pool, as well as using disposable chux pads, but when it comes down to it, birth isn't usually as messy as you might think. After you have your baby, and we are all finished with our postpartum routine, we leave you all cleaned up, tucked in in a freshly made bed, with only one bag of trash and one bag of laundry to deal with.