HOME BIRTH

SUPPORTED | SAFE | HOLISTIC

Prenatal appointments are about much more than physical assessments. All of your appointments are scheduled for one hour in length so that we can dive deep and address all of your questions and concerns. Prenatal care sets the foundation for a healthy and connected birthing experience and a more easeful postpartum. Appointments take place at our comfortable Albany office, with a home visit at 36 weeks. Prenatal care appointments follow the standard schedule of once a month until 28 weeks, every other week until 36 weeks, and then weekly until birth.

Prenatal Care

What’s included in Prenatal Care:

  • Belly checks (measuring growth, fetal heart tone assessment, and evaluation of baby’s position)

  • Education on physiological pregnancy and birth

  • Nutritional counseling

  • Standard lab work

  • Ultrasound referrals

  • Referrals to holistic and conventional health practitioners

  • Emotional and spiritual preparation for birth and parenting

A woman sits in a birthing tub during the labor process working closely with a Midwife in Berkeley, CA .

Homebirth offers you the comfort and autonomy of being in your own space, with the safety and wisdom of experience that your midwife provides. You can birth in any position that feels comfortable and supportive to you. You are encouraged to eat and drink, move, and express. There are always two midwives at each birth so that you have two sets of skilled hands available.

Labor & Birth

What’s included In Labor and Birth Services:

  • Respectful guidance throughout the physiologic birthing process

  • Care and assessment throughout active labor and in the immediate postpartum

  • Monitoring vitals

  • Monitoring fetal heart tones

  • Use of herbs and traditional wisdom, and the availability of medication/IVs in case of complications

  • Use of birth tub

Water Birth

Water submersion is a great tool for laboring; the warmth and buoyancy aid in relaxation, and the containment of the tub feels supportive. Some people choose to birth in the water as well, which is shown to be safe for low-risk births.

A woman labors in a bathtub during a Homebirth in Berkeley, CA with a Midwife.

Postpartum care is about nourishing your vitality and supporting bonding with your new baby. I will visit you at home three times within the first week postpartum, with ongoing care during the first six weeks. Home-based postpartum care allows you to stay in bed and focus on nourishing your postpartum body and baby, allowing for a more easeful transition. I have extensive breastfeeding/chestfeeding knowledge and also support families who choose other methods of newborn feeding.

Postpartum Care

What’s included in Postpartum Care:

· Newborn feeding support and education

· Education on newborn care

· Nutritional counseling

·  Physical assessment of both the parent and baby

· Weight checks for baby

· Emotional and spiritual support

· Herbal remedies to support healing and comfort

· Standard newborn tests and procedures, if desired

A new mom lies with her infant on her chest after a successful Homebirth in Berkeley, CA supervised by a Midwife.

 

Autonomy, informed choice, and shared decision-making are at the center of home birth care. Every client deserves access to evidence-based information, to feel heard, and to be respected in the decisions they make regarding pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

 

Midwifery Model of Care:

Frequently Asked Questions

about home birth midwifery care

  • Numerous studies demonstrate that home birth with a skilled midwife is just as safe as hospital birth, with fewer interventions. During your labor, we will closely monitor you and baby to make sure that everything is within the range of normal. If a medical complication develops that makes the birth higher risk, we are easily able to transport to a hospital setting, if necessary.

  • Most PPO insurance plans will reimburse for homebirth midwifery care. I work with a skilled team of medical billers who will coordinate with your insurance company so that you can get reimbursement for the care that you receive. You can submit a “verification of benefits” request here to find out more about your specific coverage.

    Unfortunately, Kaiser and Medi-Cal clients are not eligible for insurance coverage for homebirth at this time.

  • Prenatal care takes place in our lovely Albany office. We offer one home visit in the 3rd trimester, and the first two weeks of postpartum care is provided in the comfort of your home.

    All appointments are scheduled for an hour in length.

  • No. Midwives can provide all the care needed to see you through a healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Midwives can provide the same standard tests/screens that an OB would offer. Some of our clients choose to do concurrent care with an OB during pregnancy, but it is not required or necessary. In some cases, a medical complication may necessitate physician consultation or co-managed care.

  • Yes. Home birth is not for everyone: some people choose to birth in the hospital because they have a medical complication or risk factor that makes it a safer option, and some people simply prefer the hospital setting. We provide full prenatal care for those planning a hospital birth, and then go to the hospital with you when you are in labor, resuming postpartum care at home after the birth. Working with a midwife for a planned hospital birth gives you the best of both worlds: a more connected and holistic approach to your care, with the resources of the hospital setting.

  • Yes, many clients choose to labor and/or birth in water. Being submerged in water is studied to reduce discomfort in labor. Babies have an innate “dive reflex,” which means that they do not attempt to breathe underwater. This makes water birth a safe option for low-risk people.

  • We follow the same general appointment schedule as an OBGYN during pregnancy. This includes visits once a month until you are 28 weeks, then every other week until 36 weeks, and then weekly until you give birth. More frequent visits are offered if indicated.

  • We strongly encourage all first-time birthers to hire a doula as part of their support team! A doula is a non-medical support person who offers physical, emotional, and informational guidance to birthing people. While not required, doulas can be a wonderful addition to the team. You are also welcome to have as many or as few family members/friends with you at your labor and birth. For doula recommendations, see our Resources page.

  • There are always two licensed midwives in attendance for every home birth. Having two sets of skilled hands increases the safety of home birth, and means that there is more support available to you. Learn more about the team at Emunah Midwifery.

community midwifery is feminist health care.

Home birth has been demonstrated to be safe for low-risk pregnant people. For thousands of years, midwives have supported births at home, guarding the sacred portal of birth, and stepping in to assure safety as needed. In very recent history, birth moved to the hospital setting, and midwives (as well as those choosing to birth outside an institutional medical setting) were criticized for stepping outside the norm to reclaim birth as a normal life experience deserving of honor. In more recent years, however, midwifery and home birth care have made a resurgence, as more and more people want healthcare that is holistic, individualized, and less interventive — while still prioritizing safety. More and more people want to birth on their own terms, and want support in doing so. From 2019 to 2020, the percentage of home births increased by 22%.

Choose homebirth with our dedicated midwives at Emunah Midwifery for a personalized and empowering prenatal care and birthing experience.

We are covered by most PPO insurance plans

List of insurance plans that cover home birth services
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