Frequently Asked Questions
What insurances and forms of payments do you accept?
What hospitals do you use in case I have to transfer into hospital to have my baby?
Do you stay with us if we transfer into hospital?
Do you do water births?
How long are appointment times?
What if two births occur at the same time?
What if I birth quickly and my baby arrives before the Midwife?
Can children come to my appointments?
How many births do you take in a month?
I don't want to have an ultrasound, do you require one?
We live in an RV, can we still have have a home birth?
- For private/commercial insurance plans, clients make payments to HDM throughout the pregnancy, once the baby is born I submit claims to your insurance company for both you and your baby on your behalf. I reimburse you the amount, if any, that your insurance pays for the claims I submit
- Reimbursement is dependent on your specific policy, out of network benefits and deductibles. Click here for more detailed information on this process and what it means for Homebirth.
- We recommend that you call your insurance company to check your specific policy for benefits, including out-of-network benefits, and deductibles. (specify home birth with a LM/CPM)
- BCBS PPO (HMO does not pay for home birth)
- Presbyterian PPO (HMO does not pay for home birth)
- United Health care
- Aetna
- Christian Health Insurance/coops
- NM Health Exchange does not cover Home Births
- Medicaid-Presbyterian and BCBS Centennial ( I am not contracted with Western Skies). I no longer accept Medicaid as primary payment. Exception being repeat clients.
- I do work on a sliding scale for families experiencing extreme financial hardship. Typically women qualify for Medicaid, if that is the case. There still are a couple other midwives that still accept Medicaid. Please call for more info.
- Health savings accounts (3.7% credit card processing fee added)
- Credit Card (3.7% credit card processing fee added)
- Cash or Check
- Apple Pay
- Venmo
What hospitals do you use in case I have to transfer into hospital to have my baby?
- My number one choice is University of New Mexico Hospital- We have a great working relationship and is my preferred hospital. Women receive excellent care there.
- Lovelace Women's Hospital
- Presbyterian at the request of the client, otherwise I DO NOT recommended transferring to that facility. Rust medical center will accept transfers from out of hospital midwives (both LM/CPM's and CNM's)
Do you stay with us if we transfer into hospital?
- Yes, we stay with you and work with hospital staff, supporting you in advocating for your care. Typically in a transfer I will call ahead and coordinate with a provider at UNMH transfer into OB triage where you will be assessed and admitted accordingly. I will help you get settled in and a plan of action will be set in motion. Transfers into hospital can look differently for each woman and need. At times I will go home and rest until you need me for support. I am always available by phone. Once discharged, we can resume your postpartum care at home.
Do you do water births?
- Yes! Approx. 85% of births occur in water, second on the list is birthing on the toilet!
How long are appointment times?
- Approx. 60 minutes per visit
What if two births occur at the same time?
- In the rare instance we have two mothers in labour at the same time, I will send another Licensed and qualified Home Birth Midwife to attend the other birth. My apprentice(s) and I will split up, if at all possible, to maintain continuity of care.
What if I birth quickly and my baby arrives before the Midwife?
- Babies are sometimes in a rush to be born! Throughout your pregnancy we talk about the normalcy of labour and birth, empowering women to trust your body along with educating families for such an occurrence. I am always in-route to your home, sometimes on the phone with you or your partner for guidance. I do not make you go into hospital for a precipitous birth, and we never miss the delivery of the placenta!
Can children come to my appointments?
- Yes, children are always welcome. They love to help out when it comes time to listen to baby.
How many births do you take in a month?
- Typically 5, but up to 7-9 clients a month.
I don't want to have an ultrasound, do you require one?
- No, I do not require clients to have ultrasounds to birth at home.
We live in an RV, can we still have have a home birth?
- Yes! In fact, I have attended quite a few RV births. Home sometimes is where you park it!
- Go to High Desert Midwifery and Women's Health on facebook for our latest RV-home birth story aired by KOB-TV highlighting the RV home birth that occurred AT the 2017 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!