High Desert Midwifery, LLC
  • Home
  • Philosophy
  • Your Midwives
  • Services
  • Is homebirth right for you?
  • Insurance, Billing, Riembursement
  • Types of Midwives
  • Statistics and Safety
  • Stories & Kind Words
  • Questions to ask the Midwife
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Classes and Workshops
  • Blog
  • Tribute to Barbara Pepper
  • Apprenticing opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

What insurances and forms of payments do you accept?
  • 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!
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Philosophy
  • Your Midwives
  • Services
  • Is homebirth right for you?
  • Insurance, Billing, Riembursement
  • Types of Midwives
  • Statistics and Safety
  • Stories & Kind Words
  • Questions to ask the Midwife
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
  • Classes and Workshops
  • Blog
  • Tribute to Barbara Pepper
  • Apprenticing opportunities