Frequently Asked Questions
What areas of town do you serve?
I serve clients in Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, North Austin and some other surrounding areas.
Where do you see clients?
I see clients at my office in Cedar Park. We will have one prenatal home visit around 36 weeks to go over your birth plan. All postpartum care the first week is done in the home, then you will have a 2 and 6 week visit back in the office.
Do you offer water births?
Yes, water birth is a wonderful benefit of out-of-hospital birth and something I offer. My services include free use of a water birth tub which can be set up in your home.
Do you accept transfers of care?
Yes, if I have availability in your due month. It is common for women to switch providers at different points in their pregnancy, due to deciding to birth outside of the hospital, or relocating. With your permission, I will obtain your records from your previous provider, and begin your care.
Would anything prevent me from giving birth outside the hospital?
Yes, there are certain medical conditions that would make giving birth in the hospital the safest place for you and your baby. Some of these conditions include, but are not limited to: Diabetes, High blood pressure, History of a seizure disorder, Premature delivery (before 37 weeks), Development of preeclampsia, a mother in very poor health. Together we can discuss your individual circumstances at your initial consultaion to decide if home birth is right for you.
What if we need to transfer to the hospital?
Depending on the urgency of the situation, we will either transport to the nearest facility via EMS or in non-urgent scenarios, we can transport by personal vehicle to a midwife friendly facility like St Davids Medical Center. At your first visit with me, we will discuss at length the plan and reasons for transfer of care prenatally, in labor or postpartum in order to keep you and your baby safe. Out-of-hospital care is a safe option for low-risk clients and if that risk factor changes, we will make a plan together to get you the elevated level of care you need.
Do you take insurance?
No, I do not take any traditional insurance. If you belong to a co-op sharing health insurance, you will usually be fully covered for all services. Families can also make bank payments from their HSA accounts.
What is the difference between a midwife and a doula? And should I hire a doula?
Although there are some similarities between midwives and doulas in the sense that both provide emotional support and suggestions for coping with labor, the biggest difference is that your midwife is responsible for monitoring the health and well-being of you and your baby, and the progress of your labor. Doulas provide you with uninterrupted support, but they do not provide medical care, and do not deliver babies. I HIGHLY encourage hiring a doula if this is your first delivery, but believe a doula is an asset to any birth team. I have a list of recommended doulas in the area if you are interested in hiring one.