FAQs

Extensive research highlights the effectiveness of the midwifery model of care, which consistently outperforms the standard medical model in terms of fewer interventions, better outcomes, higher client satisfaction, and lower costs.

Diane co-authored a key article, The Best Practice Guidelines: Transfer from Home Birth to Hospital – Collaboration Can Improve Outcomes, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes.

  • There are many studies that show homebirth for low risk women to be a safe option.

    • Low intervention rates:

      • Cesarean births: 5.2% (home) vs. 31% (national average).

      • Forceps/vacuum-assisted births: 1.2% (home) vs. 3.5% (national average).

      • Episiotomies: 1.4% (home) vs. 25% (national average).

      • Oxytocin for labor induction/augmentation: 4.5% (home) vs. 40% (national average).

      • Epidural use: 4% (home) vs. 67% (national average).

    • Positive neonatal outcomes:

      • Prematurity: 2.5% (home).

      • Low birth weight: <1% (home).

      • Low Apgar scores: 1.5% (home).

      • Breastfeeding: 99.6% of planned homebirths initiated breastfeeding vs. 76% in planned hospital births.

    • Safety outcomes:

      • Intrapartum deaths: 0.85 per 1,000 among low-risk women (home).

      • Neonatal deaths:

        • First week: 0.4 per 1,000 (home) vs. 0.46 per 1,000 (national average).

        • First month: 0.35 per 1,000 (home) vs. 0.33 per 1,000 (national average).

    While intrapartum death rates are slightly higher in some studies, this may reflect the inclusion of higher-risk pregnancies in the homebirth cohort. Overall, the data underscores the viability and safety of midwife-led planned homebirths for low-risk pregnancies.

  • Many insurances will cover homebirth or at least a portion of it.  Many people have high deductibles and homebirth can apply to the deductible.  Unfortunately, Medical and Kaiser do not cover homebirth.

  • There is nothing special you need for a homebirth.  Running water and heat makes it much more manageable.

  • There are forms and a procedure for filing a birth certificate with the county of Marin.  I facilitate that process.  It is easy.

  • We will transfer care to the hospital, and I will accompany you and stay with you at the hospital until the baby is born.

  • We use massage, positioning, and warm water immersion for support dealing with pain.  We do not carry any medications for pain relief.