Eden Birth
& Wellness
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"There is not a single report in the scientific literature that shows obstetricians to be safer than midwives for low-risk pregnancy and birth. Midwives are the best experts on normal birth. So if you are among the over seventy-five percent of all women with a normal pregnancy, the safest birth attendant for you is a midwife."
~ Marsden Wagner, MD - World Health Organization
HEALTH INSURANCE
I have insurance. How do I know if my midwifery care and homebirth will be covered?
Many health insurance companies cover either all or a portion of these services. Some require policy endorsements for out-of-network providers/services. Check with your insurance company, or let us know if we can help.
Will Medicaid cover my care with the midwife?
In 2011, Idaho legislature approved Medicaid coverage for midwifery services and homebirth. The Idaho Dept. of Health & Welfare has worked to correlate policies with the managed care organization for Idaho Medicaid. The earliest date for midwifery services to be covered is estimated for January 1, 2012.
If I do not have insurance coverage but have decided to have midwifery care and birth center or homebirth, are payment arrangements available if needed?
To better serve our community, Eden Birth & Wellness offers a reasonable fee.
Payment plans may be arranged.
Midwifery care and natural birth is offered as an option for all healthy women.
See Payments & Insurance for more information.
SAFETY
What about the safety of birth at home or birthcenter?
 For
healthy, low-risk women, scientific research studies have shown that birthing at home or at a birth center
with certified professional midwives have similar or better outcomes than for
women with similar risk in hospital births. And in countries with the lowest
infant and maternal mortality rates, most births are attended by midwives. In
those countries, it is recognized that obstetricians are specialists in surgery
and high-risk pregnancy. Midwives are the specialists in normal birth yet are also trained to manage certain complications.
Some situations that have been medically labeled as high risk, may be determined
to be variations of normal with thorough prenatal care and birth with
experienced midwives.
CHANGING TO MIDWIFERY CARE
What if I have already seen an OB during this pregnancy?
Sometimes women decide a homebirth is a better option. Or they begin preparing for a hospital birth only to realize that their birth plans will not be honored by medical protocols in certain places.
During your free consultation appointment, we'll look into whether your health history qualifies for out-of-hospital birth within midwifery protocols as outlined by state license regulations.
Also, with a first consultation, information can be sent home
with you. Instead of just implied consent, our paperwork is based upon
informed choices for your health care, which can be flexible and is geared
toward respecting your decisions.
If you began prenatal care at another clinic and want to transfer to midwifery
care, it is a choice that is up to you. As your primary care provider, the midwife's office can
assist with this to avoid unnecessary hassles.
LAB TESTS & ULTRASOUND
Will I be able to have lab work done?
Of course! During a prenatal checkup, specimen collection can be done according to your preferences. It is sent to the lab and we will assess results and discuss them with you. We support you in having an informed choice about any tests that are offered
as well as any possible needed treatments, referrals and alternatives.
Will ultrasounds be done?
An option is to discuss when and if to have ultrasounds (sonogram). The midwife may
give a referral. Results would be discussed with you,
keeping in mind that the accuracy of ultrasounds can vary somewhat.
NATURAL BIRTH CLASSES & MORE
Do you offer birth education?
Yes. Our series of interesting and affordable birth preparation classes help you understand the wonderful way your body is designed for birthing.
We'll help prepare you and your family for your birth, including tips to help boost your health and confidence. Along with classes, there are videos
and a lending library of excellent books for our families to enjoy.
Your prenatal visits can also be an informative resource, with time to ask questions and voice your concerns in a peaceful environment. A variety of information handouts are available for you to take home.
The midwives and assistants of Eden Birth & Wellness are helpful, attentive, understanding and supportive to your needs.
FAMILY
 Can my family and/or friends be with me?
One of the things that make birth so special is you decide who shares in this special event and in what way. Those relationships can help you to be comfortable with your birth. It is also beneficial to have husband or partner, or others attend prenatal checkups with you and to develop a birth plan.
See our Calendar for scheduled get-togethers, such as Birth Stories Gathering, and Southwest Idaho Birth Network, and more. It can be fun and informational to meet more families within a supportive birth-oriented community!
NEWBORN CARE
If I give birth at home or in a birth center, who does my baby's newborn exam?
After you and your baby to settle together, your midwife will gently do the newborn exam right there at your side.
If you choose to have newborn metabolic screening tests, your baby's heel samples can be taken by the midwife as gently as possible, which is applied to special cards, within a couple days after birth and then again within two weeks. These are promptly sent to the appropriate lab.
(see After Your Baby is Born)
Having a good snooze at two days old.
Titus was born at home in May 2011
weighing 10 lbs 4 oz.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
How will I get a birth certificate?
The midwife completes the forms and checks them
with you for accuracy, then submits your baby's birth certificate
registration to the state vital records office.
COMPLICATIONS
What happens if there is a complication?
The midwife is trained to recognize abnormal situations. She is Neonatal Resuscitation (level 4) certified and Healthcare Provider CPR certified. The licensed Idaho midwife may administer oxygen, IV and certain medications such as antihemorrhagics, performs suturing, and has other equipment and remedies to help prevent or care for various complications when needed.
The midwife can arrange referrals for medical consultation or transfer of care. We appreciate the doctors who specialize in perinatology or pediatrics and refer to their medical expertise when needed. In the rare event it becomes necessary, there may be transfer to a hospital for OB care.
FOR MORE QUESTIONS or CONCERNS
Please contact the office to make an appointment:
EDEN BIRTH & WELLNESS
tel.: (208) 477-4340
First consultation visit is free!
See the
Book Shop
for information about birth, breastfeeding and more!
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