Is home birth safe?
Studies show that planned home births of low-risk clients with trained midwives are just as safe for mothers and babies as planned hospital births. Multiple studies show that planned home births result in substantially lower rates of episiotomy, forceps and vacuum delivery, caesarean births as compared to planned hospital births. Please see Resources for peer-reviewed studies from around the world.
Will insurance pay for a home birth?
Please see our insurance section.
What are your COVID-19 protocols?
The key changes that we have employed to ensure safety of the families we serve and our midwives include:
- Everyone (clients & midwives) masking, regardless of vacciantion or previous infection status
- Offering telehealth appointments to reduce exposure
- Regular cleaning of equipment and handwashing
- Making a plan to keep clients safe and COVID-free ahead of the due window so that you can preserve your homebirth plan.
For a full list of our protocols please email us.
Can we have a doula?
We love doulas, and research shows that laboring people report having better birth experiences when they have continuous labor support. We also believe that doulas are an essential part of your birth team we do not discourage or restrict their use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)?
A CPM is a midwife educated in the specialized care of out-of-hospital birth. They are accredited by the North American Registry of Midwives. CPMs provide care throughout a client’s pregnancy, is the trained attendant throughout labor and at the birth, and through six weeks after the baby is born.
Where will my appointments be?
We offer all in-person care, or a mix of in-person and virtual appointments. For either option, we come to your home 3+ times in the prenatal period and 3+ times in the postpartum period. If you would like mostly in-person care, then you can come to our home office in Takoma, DC for the remainder of your appointments. If you would like a mix of virtual and in-person appointments, we will loan you equipment and teach you to use it so you can report your vitals to us. Up to half of your appointments may be virtual if this is the model you choose. We will find the right mix that works for you.
Who can have a home birth?
People of any age who are experiencing a low-risk pregnancy are able to have a home birth. Conditions that risk you out of our care include:
- Preexisting conditions including heart conditions, epilepsy, insulin-dependent diabetes
- Complications that may develop during pregnancy that would require you to find another birth provider include: baby being breech, having twins or multiples, development of severe high blood pressure, uncontrolled gestational diabetes or preeclampsia
Can I have a VBAC with you?
Unfortunately, we do not offer VBAC support at this time.
Can I have my twins/multiples at home?
We do not provide birth care for twins and multiples. If you are interested in co-care, we can provide that during your pregnancy and postpartum. Please see our Services section for more details.
Can I have a water birth at home?
Yes! If you have a tub at home that is big enough, you can use your bathroom tub. If you prefer a purpose-built tub, you may borrow one of ours and set up it up in your home.
Can I eat or drink during my labor at home?
Yes. Whatever you want, however much you want.
What kind of pain relief can I get at home?
Research shows that people feel pain more acutely in labor when they are stressed and anxious, as this leads to a tensing of muscles, which is counteractive to the work your body is doing during labour. Feeling of relaxation and a sense of safety allow your labor to progress without the hinderance of interruptions, stress and anxiety. Being in your own home, feeling in control, laboring where you please, maintaining strength by eating and drinking what you want when you want, using your shower or birth pool, listening to your music, adjusting the lighting as you wish, being with your family in your safe space, being alone with your partner, all contribute to a more manageable labor. In addition, doulas and midwives can offer massage, acupressure, position changes, position support, verbal and emotional encouragement and gentle guidance throughout your labor. Childbirth education classes offer guidance and training for relaxation and labor support for you and your birth partner to practice in advance. These are your pain coping mechanisms, and they work well. We are not able to offer an epidural, narcotics or nitrous oxide to you during a birth at home.
What about the mess?
The midwives clean up the mess before they go including wiping things down and cleaning up any mess, breaking down the birth tub (if you have one) and doing laundry. We also discuss plans for preventing mess, including the use of tarps and coverings on carpets or other surfaces.
How do I get pregnancy labs and ultrasounds?
Rock Creek Midwives can do all blood work and labs with you, and give you recommendations and referrals on where to get an ultrasound.
What does a typical care schedule look like?
Care with us happens on the same schedule as with all perinatal providers in the USA - but because our appointments are at least an hour long you get almost triple the time with your provider.
Schedule of Care
- First appointment: initial blood work done; genetic testing and ultrasound referral provided, if desired.
- Monthly visits from early pregnancy until 28 weeks
- Biweekly visits from 28 weeks until 36 weeks
- Weekly visits from 36 weeks until birth
- Five visits in the postpartum period: 24hrs, on day 3-5, day ten, 2 weeks, 6 weeks
Do you offer the usual tests?
We offer the same standard testing options that any other perinatal provider would, including:
- Pregnancy blood work panel at initial appointment
- Genetic testing and confirmation of pregnancy ultrasound in first trimester
- Fetal anatomy scan ultrasound at 20 weeks
- Gestational diabetes screen plus one more blood panel between 24 & 28 weeks
- GBS test at 36 weeks
- Fetal position check ultrasound at 36 weeks
Additional ultrasounds, blood work or consultations with OBs or Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialists are offered if it is clinically indicated.
Who will attend my birth?
Two midwives will attend your birth. Beyond them – you choose! Your partner, your dogs? Sure! Mom? Why not. Doula? Yes! Photographer? Yes! Your kids? Absolutely. You are welcome to have whomever you want present. On rare occasions – when life happens – if two Rock Creek Midwives cannot attend, another midwife or skilled birth assistant would come as the second attendant.
I’m over 35. Can I have a home birth?
We are able to attend clients, regardless of age, as long as they remain healthy throughout their pregnancy and labor. We do not consider someone over 35, 40 or even 45 high risk based on age alone.
What happens if there is an emergency?
With excellent prenatal care, it is very rare that there is a true emergency during birth, but it does happen. These rare instances are why midwives are intensively trained on how to manage emergency situations and get clients to the hospital as quickly as possible. In addition, we carry a range of pharmaceuticals and equipment that help us manage complications at home including meds to manage bleeding, oxygen, neonatal resucitation eqiupment and more.
What do you bring to the birth?
We bring everything you need to have a safe birth: Sterile equipment and gloves, IV supplies, antibiotics for GBS, equipment for a newborn exam and anti-hemorrhagic medications, oxygen, and neonatal resuscitation equipment to safely handle emergencies in the rare event that they occur.
Do you offer all the newborn protocols for my baby that they do in hospitals?
We offer newborn Vitamin K shots and erythromyacin eye ointment for those who wish to have it. We do not give the Hepatitis B vaccine nor do we do the newborn metabolic screen - these can be done with your pediatrician.
Do you offer child birth education classes?
We do not offer classes at this time, but we strongly encourage all first timers to take a class with your birth partner focussing on natural child birth. The Bradley Method, Hypnobirthing, and Birthing from Within are just a few options that are excellent for natural birth.