Homebirth MW in Asheville NC area

[mamaharrison]

My family is relocating to Mills River, NC this summer and we are currently TTC #2. I understand that NC is a non licensing state for CPM and this concerns me quite a bit. I am coming from FL, where I have a variety of options for a homebirth MW and have a good community to guide me in making this choice. I had a less than satisfying experience with my first pregnancy in regards to MW, and really would like to find a provider that is going to respect my decisions and who knows what normal birth entails and how to assist me in gentle birthing. Can anyone share with me their experiences with homebirth MWs in this area? What are my options? Who should I be looking to interview and when should I be looking to interview? In FL we have such a high rate of miscarriage and elective terminations that it you can't get a provider to see you until you are at least 12 weeks pregnant. When are mamas having their first prenatals in NC??

ALos, just another thought--Does medicaid cover homebirth in NC as it does in FL? Waht is the going rate for homebirth MWs in NC?

TIA

[MarineWife]

Try this website for finding a provider: http://www.nchomebirth.com/midwifery.html

NC does not license CPMs (yet) but CNMs, NPs, and MDs can attend homebirths. There are a few CNMs in the state who attend homebirths. I don't know specifically about the area you mentioned. There are also some CPMs that you can find out about through word of mouth or the, possibly, the above website. There are several homebirth meetup groups. If there's one in your area, that would be another way to find a provider.

I would think that if Medicaid covers prenatal care and birth with a CNM and you can find a CNM who will attend your homebirth, Medicaid should cover that. I'm just guessing based on my own common sense, though. I don't know that for sure and I guess it's possible there is an exclusionary clause for covering homebirths.

[AlexisT]

You might want to search the tribal area--I do believe there are home birth CNMs serving Asheville. (I'm not from that area but I know someone who had a HB there--don't know who she used.)

Google turns up:

http://newdawnmidwifery.com/

[sunanthem]

There is a thread on the in the NC forum. New Dawn does take medicaid, but there is a $1000 homebirth fee. Family to Family in Asheville also takes medicaid but I am not sure if they do homebirths. I have the name and number of a lay midwife in the area if you'd like it, pm me.

The going rate is $2500 in our area.

You will also hear about Dr. David Hayes, he is an O.B. that does homebirths, but, he is leaving this summer so will no longer be around.

The local birth yahoo group is ; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ashevilleareabirthnetwork/ 

Also, another group that could help you is DAMA, the doulas association of the mountain area.

I have had a homebirth in NC and used and experienced CPM, they are out there, you just have to find them. :)

Happy midwife searching!  And welcome to asheville!

[sunanthem]

Here is the other asheville midwives thread;

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1299016/looking-for-midwife-in-asheville-area#post_16289690 

I just met with the lay midwife and I'm only 7 weeks or so, so really, they will meet with you at any time, though of course, all practices are different.

[BirthTender]

HI, mama Harrison,

CNMs can take Medicaid, CPMS and direct entry midwives cannot. CNMs are the only legal homebirth attendants in NC, and there are about 9 homebirth nurse-midwifery practices in the state, including mine in Western NC and Dette Nicholson, CNM up above Mars Hill. PM me if you would like more info.

Karen Benfield, CNM and owner of BirthTender