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Facing Uninsured Pregnancy
You Can Make It Work
By Johnathon Allen
"For healthy mothers experiencing normal pregnancies, home birth provides a safe form of maternity care equal to hospital-based services at one half to one-fifth the expense," says Licensed Midwife Faith Gibson of San Mateo, Calif. "The outcome is usually outstanding for both mother and child and there's no substitute for birthing in the loving environment of your own home and family."
The average expense of a midwife-managed home birth is between $1,000 and $3,000, with a notably low Cesarean rate of under 6 percent (as compared to the hospital Cesarean rate of 15 to 25 percent). In some cases, Medicaid will pay for home birth expenses, although states have varying laws regarding in-home birthing
"After reviewing our options, we decided to go with a home birth," says Jenny Johnson, a mother from Talent, Ore. "I wouldn't do it any other way. We had an excellent team of midwives and a great birth. It was just a matter of allowing the forces of nature to work themselves out."
There are a few types of midwives who can legally deliver babies in homes across the country: Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), Direct Entry Midwives (DEMs) and Licensed Midwives (LMs). CNMs are Registered Nurses who have advanced hospital-based Labor and Delivery training. LMs and DEMs – who facilitate the majority of in-home births in America – are midwives who entered the profession through direct experience, apprenticeship and accredited training programs. Though most states have practicing midwives, only 15 states have legal provisions allowing for in-home delivery. To view a listing of which states allow which types of midwifery practice and to contact a midwife in your area, visit the Midwives Alliance of North America.
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