What does midwifery care look like?

Here, we try to build a relationship with each family. Prenatal appointments are roughly an hour long, and that entire time is face to face time with you as the individual focus. We’ll talk about how you’ve been feeling, talk about ways to help any pregnancy discomforts you’re experiencing, make sure you’re taking good care of yourself between visits, check your vital signs and urine, and measure and listen to baby during each visit. Longer visits also gives us time to get to know each other; by birth, you’ll have a trusted companion through labor, not a stranger in your home.

We follow the same general schedule for prenatal visits that many OBs would: once every 4 weeks until 28-30 weeks, every 2 weeks until your home visit (at 36-37 weeks), then weekly until delivery. If you do reach 41 weeks of pregnancy, then I prefer to see you twice in that final week to keep a closer eye on baby’s wellbeing. After the birth, I’ll be back to your home for visits at 24-36 hours and again at 3-4 days postpartum. Then you’ll return to the office at 2-3 weeks and 5-6 weeks for postpartum check-ups for you and baby. If you find you need more support, I’ll be there!

How does midwifery care during a home birth differ from hospital births?

Midwifery care during home births is characterized by its personalized, family-centered approach. Midwives focus on fostering a strong connection with the birthing person and their family, spending ample time discussing preferences, concerns, and addressing any questions. Home births typically have a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere compared to hospital births, which can be beneficial for those seeking a low-intervention experience.

who is a candidate for home birth?

Home birth with a licensed midwife can be a good option for mothers who are low risk. This means that there are no major foreseeable complications, and the client does not have any major chronic medical conditions, like diabetes or heart/blood pressure problems. Certain surgical history, other medical problems, and complications that may arise during pregnancy may also make a client too high risk to plan a home birth with a licensed midwife. Our major goal is maintaining safe care - for some families, the hospital is a safer choice for care.

What area do you serve?

We are located in the Columbia, SC area. We attend home births within an hour and a half of the Redbank area of Lexington; this includes locations like Columbia, Chapin, Aiken, Augusta, Sumter, Camden, and Irmo.

Is home birth safe with a midwife?

Research indicates that home births attended by trained and qualified healthcare professionals, such as CPMs, can be a safe option for low-risk pregnancies. CPMs are trained to recognize and manage complications and transfer care to a hospital if necessary. However, it's essential to have a thorough discussion with your midwife about your specific health situation and risk factors before deciding on a home birth.

Does insurance cover home births?

Insurance coverage for home births varies widely depending on your location, insurance provider, and specific policy. Some insurance plans may cover a portion of midwifery care and home births, while others may not. It's recommended to contact your insurance company to inquire about coverage and potential reimbursement. We are not Medicaid providers, though we do offer a Medicaid discount. With Little Orchids, all payments must be paid in full prior to the birth. We can submit an out of network claim to your insurance if you have out of network benefits, but we cannot guarantee how much (if anything) insurance will opt to reimburse.

What is a Doula?

A doula is assists a woman through pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period through non-medical support.

how can a doula help me?

The type of support given can vary greatly depending on the client's personality and individual desires and needs. In pregnancy and labor this support may include educational information, hands-on support like massage and hip squeezes, emotional support, and a listening ear for whatever you need. Postpartum this support can include meal planning, infant care, teaching infant care, light housework, and basic breastfeeding support.

Are there any known benefits of hiring a doula, even if I already have a midwife?

There have been multiple studies that show that non-medical support like a doula provides can have positive effects on the labor and delivery. It is important to note, however, that the doula is not responsible for any birth outcomes. Some potential benefits that have been documented include a shorter labor, fewer interventions, less need for pain medications, and a higher rate of reflecting on the birth as a positive experience. For more documented benefits, check the lists here.