Coming Up With The Money :(

[xdanielleax]

DH and I went and met with the CNM tonight. She was really nice and I liked her a lot. The only problem is how we are going to come up with the money We are on tricare. She told me they will reimburse $1400 of her $3800 fee. She requests $500 be paid on the 1st prenatal appt and half of the total fee is due by 36 weeks. I'll be 32 weeks on thursday and I have no clue how I am going to be able to come up with $1900 in 4 1/2 weeks. Both of our credit is not so good. DH wasn't very supportive of the idea at first but now he agrees that I shouldn't go back to the military hospital for this birth. But, what other option do we really have? I'm feeling pretty upset right now and just don't know what to do. I can envision this birth in my mind and I get so happy and excited thinking about doing it at home. But to imagine myself back in that hospital makes me cry. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to come up with that kind of money?

[Maluhia]

Can you get a loan via Navy Marine Corps Relief Society - they have 0 interest loans for military.

I'm glad Tricare reimburses ANYTHING in your state, often that is difficult to get at all.

[xdanielleax]

My husband is Army. They have Army emergency Relief loans but I don't know if they will give us a loan for this. I will call them tomorrow though.

[bethanyclaire]

We are in the same boat. We really thought we couldn't afford a homebirth and decided a week ago that we truly can't afford NOT to homebirth. Our mw charges $3200. She has very generously agreed to help us by offering a payment plan but I'm trying to get as much as I possibly can for her up front. I'm 34 weeks and need at least $1000 by next week! Personally, I'm doing a bunch of things... anything to make money! Have you thought of:

-Selling anything and everything on eBay (I'm selling the kids old clothes now)
-Odd jobs/labor for others, like yard work, raking, splitting wood, running errands, babysitting, cleaning out attics/basements, etc. (I've been detailing cars)
-Using any skills you might have... sewing, knitting, crafting (making soap/candles/bath salts is big this time of year for holiday gifts), photography, etc.
-Have a yard sale
-Asking family/friends for a small loan
-Asking for help with the bill in lieu of holiday gifts from those close to you (I'm asking my mom to put some money towards my mw bill this year instead of getting me any gifts for Christmas)

[JamieCatheryn]

Do you guys have a second car you could possibly sell? Any time for side work? Electronics you could sell? Family you could ask for a loan? Anything in your budget you can cut for now?

[xdanielleax]

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn

Do you guys have a second car you could possibly sell? Any time for side work? Electronics you could sell? Family you could ask for a loan? Anything in your budget you can cut for now?

We're going to sell our wii, we were planning to anyway. So that's about $150..not much..I just stopped my part time job. I was waitressing but it's getting to be too much on my body at this point. I don't know what to do. I feel pretty hopeless right this minute.

[elmh23]

Have you asked the midwife if you can work out a long term payment plan that means you don't have to pay $1900 in a month or maybe a barter system (is your husband handy at all?) I know my midwife did that with a couple of her clients.

[jillc512]

Originally Posted by elmh23

Have you asked the midwife if you can work out a long term payment plan that means you don't have to pay $1900 in a month or maybe a barter system (is your husband handy at all?) I know my midwife did that with a couple of her clients.

Yeah that. My mw is also willing to work out a payment plan if necessary.

How long do you think it would take you to get the money? Do you have a family member with good credit who would qualify for a 0% interest credit card for 6 months who'd be willing to let you use it?

Can you find another (less taxing) part-time job? Can your DH find a part-time job?

I know the feeling -- I'd beg, borrow and steal to pay for a homebirth if I had to. I hope everything works out for you!

[hac1224]

If you can't get a loan, I'm not sure. Money was the only thing that stopped us from having a homebirth with our last dd since most HBing MWs aren't even "legal" here in NC therefore insurance doesn't cover them. I still really wish we had found a way to do it then. This time we were completely debt free, so we took out a small 0% credit card loan that will be paid off with tax money.

[thefreckledmama]

Could you ask your MW to "credit" the $1400 from Tricare to your first installment of $1900, bringing it to $500 due by 36 weeks?

When is the rest of her fee due? Will she allow you to make installments?