A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse with a Master's Degree in Midwifery. A CNM has passed the national certification exam of the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). CNMs provide general women’s health care from puberty through menopause. These services include general health check-ups and physical exams; pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care; well woman gynecologic care; and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. CNMs are able to prescribe medications and treatments. For more information: http://ourmomentoftruth.com/your-health/what-is-a-midwife/

Every woman and family who choose to have a home birth will have a slightly different answer to this question. For most, the choice to have a home birth with a Certified Nurse Midwife is about finding the right combination of support, safety, and comfort. Women who choose home birth desire a birth team who understands and supports her desire for a low-intervention and natural birth experience. For additional information: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/what-is-home-birth/

No. Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) practice independently in the care, treatment and management of routine women's health care. When a complication arises a CNM works in collaboration with a MD. If a woman's health care needs require medical management beyond the scope of midwifery, arrangments are made to transfer care to a MD. I work in collaboration with an OB/GYN with whom I can consult and/or transfer care as the need arises.

Home birth with a CNM is covered by many health insurance plans. While I am not a participating provider with any insurance carriers, I do work with a billing company. The billing company is able to verify your benefits to give you an idea of what your insurance plan will cover as well as help ensure you recieve the maximum allowable reimbursement under your plan. Please contact me directly to discuss financial arrangements for home birth. I care for both un-insured and insured women. Payment plan arrangements can be made.

Healthy women with normal pregnancies may safely give birth at home. Studies show that a planned home birth with a CNM reduces rates of obstetrical interventions, including cesarean sections and increases rates of un-medicated physiologic births. For more information:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jmwh.12172