Frequently Asked Questions

  • A certified professional midwife (CPM) is a primary maternity care provider for low risk pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Additionally, they provide newborn care during the first 6 weeks after birth, provide preconception counseling and well-woman/person care.

    Although qualified to practice in any setting, they have particular training and expertise in providing care in homes and free-standing birth centers, and own or work in over half of the birth centers in the U.S. today.

    In California CPM’s must become licensed by the Medical Board of California to practice, there by adding the LM credential.

  • For those having a low risk pregnancy, a planned homebirth with a trained midwife is supported as a safe choice.

    Research points to lower cesarean rates, lower induction rates, fewer infections, lower rates of severe tears and instrumental births. Higher rates of breastfeeding and successful VBACs.

    Some high quality research on the safety of homebirth:

    Outcomes of Care for 16,924 Planned Home Births in the United States: The Midwives Alliance of North America Statistics Project, 2004 to 2009.

    Planned Home Births in the United States Have Outcomes Comparable to Planned Birth Center Births for Low-Risk Birthing Individuals

    Maternal outcomes and birth interventions among women who begin labour intending to give birth at home compared to women of low obstetrical risk who intend to give birth in hospital: A systematic review and meta-analyses

  • It’s a good idea to reach out as soon as you become pregnant or once you are considering switching to a midwife. You can reach out as early as 4 weeks and as late as 36 weeks.

    If you know you want a homebirth, then you can start care right away. Most of the time we schedule your first visit around 10 to 12 weeks.

    However, if there are any concerns or a need for support in the early days/weeks, then we can schedule your first appointment sooner.

    We accept new clients into care as late as 36 weeks, when space in our calendar allows it.

  • We are not in-network with any private insurance companies.

    We are an out-of-network provider . You will pay Rainbow Midwifery directly for your care, usually on a payment plan throughout your pregnancy.

    As an out-of-network provider for PPO insurance, we work with a medical biller who will submit a claim to your insurance on your behalf. The amount your insurance plan will reimburse for our services can vary based on your plan. We will ask you to submit a verification of benefits (VOB) with our biller so you understand how much you may get reimbursed.

    Unfortunately, most HMO plans will not cover homebirth with a midwife.

  • We do not offer medication for pain relief or epidurals.

    We can support you in natural methods of pain relief such as hydrotherapy, waterbirth (we have tubs you can borrow), guidance on preparation for a natural birth through mindset, relaxation techniques and encouraging movement in labor.

    We support having a professional doula present and taking childbirth education!

  • For most people having a low-risk pregnancy, you do not need to see a doctor. Midwives can run routine labs and screenings, provide all of your prenatal care, labor/birth care and postpartum care.

    Occasionally, we will refer a client to be seen by an OBGYN or maternal fetal medicine doctor. We work in collaboration with higher levels of care and provide referrals when appropriate.

  • The need to transfer is rare and usually non-emergent (meaning most often you go by car).

    As your midwife, I will guide you through the process and will be available to you throughout. I will help coordinate the transfer of care and I will join you at the hospital if I am able and it is desired by you.

    Once you are back home from the hospital, usually I will provide the standard postpartum care.

  • A midwife is a trained medical professional who specializes in low risk pregnancy, labor/birth and postpartum. At a homebirth, they provide intermittent fetal monitoring, take and assess vitals, administer medications (as needed), provide a comprehensive newborn exam, suture, provide emergency care when needed, they take care of everything on the medical side of labor, birth and immediate postpartum.

    A birth doula is a non-medical support person who provides informational, physical and emotional support during labor/birth. Often they help with creating a birth plan, during labor they may provide hip-squeezes, massage, positional changes, help you work through emotions and remind you eat/drink.

    A postpartum doula provides non-medical support during the first few weeks following birth to help ease the transition with support ranging from lactation, newborn care, meal prep, light housework, emotional support, postpartum healing, etc.