Homebirths/Midwife questions

[Justme22]

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Edited by Justme22 - 4/18/12 at 9:36am

[Marissamom]

the visits with the physician are normal if the midwife has a set physician who provides their backup (and may be mandatory due to state regulations). they physician would just be making sure you don't have any factors that put you into a "high risk" category and clearing you for home-birth. they would also be who your care would be transferred to if anything to make you high risk did come up or you were to transfer to a hospital. usually if they're providing backup for a midwife they are really supportive of home-birth. what exactly risks you out of home-birth varies widely by state, so I'm going to let someone with more specific knowledge answer that one. 

[MidwifeErika]

What is normal ends up varying by state. I don't know what the state laws are in LA, it might be that they are required to have you see an OB during pregnancy? The twins thing varies by location as well. The best way to find out is to give a phone call to a midwife in the area you are moving to and ask them.

[crunchymama214]

I'm in TX and the laws are very open here towards midwives (they don't have to be under any OB's or affiliated with them in any way and you never have to see anyone else during your pgcy if you don't want to), but I'm not sure of the laws in LA. I have found a website for midwives there, but it doesn't give direct info on the laws of the state regarding the OB/MW relationship (if any). I would just send one of them an email telling them what you've told us here and ask any specific questions you have. 

http://lamidwivesassociation.org/default.aspx

http://www.lawserver.com/law/state/louisiana/la-laws/louisiana_revised_statutes_title_37_chapter_46

[Justme22]

Thank you all for the input and links. I really appreciate it.

I've contacted the Louisiana midwives association (first link crunchymama provided-Thank you!) and hope to hear back from them.