Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We are passionate about birth and the primary service that we offer our patients is birth services (delivery, prenatal care and postpartum care).  We also offer Well Woman Care to patients ranging from 12-80 years old. Check out our services tab for more details. 

 Certified Nurse Midwives: 

• Are primary care providers for women throughout the lifespan, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecologic and reproductive health. 

• Come from a background in nursing (RN) and have further obtained advanced graduate-level education in nurse-midwifery (MSN). 

• Provide independent, patient care (home/ office/ birth center/ hospital) while practicing collaboratively with provider counterparts, like physicians, anesthesiologists, social workers, registered nurses, and case managers to deliver safe, cost-effective care to healthy women and their families. 

• Have prescriptive authority in all 50 states and must pass a national certification examination and earn national certification as a certified nurse-midwife through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). 

Midwifery care involves a trusting relationship between the provider and pregnant person. Our care is individualized, family centered and your pregnancy and birth are viewed as normal life processes. Some highlights resulting from midwifery care include: 

• Decreased risk of needing a cesarean.
• Higher successful vaginal birth after a past cesarean delivery (VBAC).
• Less interventions, with increased use of non-pharmaceutical methods of pain and labor management.
• Better outcomes for patients facing racial disparities
• Better maternal and neonatal health outcomes both during and after pregnancy.

Midwifery care is best for women who are healthy (no pre-existing conditions that would require continuous monitoring by an MD), who want to be an active participant in their own care, who are committed to preparing for  both their ideal birth and the unexpected.

In short, it means that if you want a planned hospital birth, or if your home birth requires a transfer to a hospital, we will be able to admit you to the hospital and continue managing your care. In that setting we will collaborate with both our own MD and the excellent medical team at Cedars-Sinai hospital.   

Any woman with a low risk pregnancy and overall low risk health history are good candidates for a home birth.  You must be within 37-42 weeks pregnant when labor starts, and must be physically and psychologically prepared and have excellent support.   As to what you will need: There are some items that are recommended no matter where you plan to birth, and for specific home birth items we will provide you with a link to a birth kit that has all the odds and ends for that after 34 weeks. This allows time for shipping and prevents ordering too soon when there may be a change of plans.   

We can evaluate the pros and cons and your clinical status and come up with a plan together. We are able to conduct an induction in the hospital setting and are also equipped with many tips and tricks to try to get things going in the out of hospital setting if that seems appropriate. Choosing to intervene can change some things about your birth plan so be sure to ask questions and take your time deciding on the best course of action for you. 

 At each visit, and continuously during labor, delivery and recovery, we will be assessing you for risks and reassessing as needed. If at any point you or baby would benefit from a more medically managed care, we will discuss and initiate a transfer to MD care in the hospital. At times, we may be able to continue your care in the hospital setting in collaboration with an MD, and at other times, this may not be a reasonable option. At all times, your and your baby's safety will be our paramount consideration, and we will always strive to provide care that results in a birth memory that is happy and healthy for everyone involved.  

Absolutely! A doula is an invaluable member of a birth team who provides non-medical support to women and their partner during labor. Their focus is on your emotional and physical comfort; allowing your midwife to focus on you and your baby’s safety. 

Freedom of movement, hypnosis (if you have taken a course and practiced), physical comfort measures from your partner or doula including hot or cold packs, massage, reassurance, encouragement, hydration, aromatherapy, deep relaxation, sterile water injections in your lower back, TENS (your doula or you may have your own). Pet therapy at home, narcotics and epidural are available at the hospital. 

Yes at home. You may use your own tub or consider borrowing ours or buying a birth tub - we can help guide you on this decision. The hospital is equipped for hydrotherapy in labor, but not water birth. 

Yes at the hospital. We will review your records and if appropriate, offer VBAC in the hospital setting with your informed consent. 

Unfortunately, no. We are not in network with any insurance providers but are happy to provide a superbill at the end of care which you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement.  We have partnered with www.midwiferyclaims.com to assist our clients with this process. In addition, if you choose or require a hospital delivery, your insurance coverage should cover hospital related expenses associated with your birth.  Check with your insurance to confirm.