Paying out of pocket for a homebirth

[mrspnut82]

Has anyone paid a midwife for their homebirth themselves? If not do you know how much they charge in RI? I have no insurance right now and planned to pay for it myself. Do you pay monthly, all at once?

I think I could maybe qualify for Neighborhood Health now but not sure if they would cover MMH or Sue Smith (from MA) coming for a homebirth or not?

[futuremamaheather]

We plan to pay our midwife ourselves, and the midwives we've talked to (we're still in the interviewing stage) have all said that they are comfortable with setting up individual payment schedules according to what we feel like we can pay when. So I would talk it over with the midwife(ves) you are interested in working with and find out what they do. Good luck! And congrats on your baby-to-come :-)

[JustAnotherJenny]

Hi!

Here you can find out information specifically about MMH and her fees:  http://rihomebirth.com/index.php

There is also a home birth collective website and facebook page -- you can find out lots of information there.  You can talk with people involved with the home birth movement in RI, take part in centering groups, meet/talk with families that have had homebirths, find doulas that support home birth etc.  It's a really great group of people:  http://www.homebirthri.org/

The facebook page is here:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_167438153286426&ap=1

Good luck!

[mrspnut82]

omg that's almost $6000. I seriously expected it to be maybe $3500 going by what other people pay (but in different states). I had no idea this state was that high.

I think I might be better off trying for State health ins. and going to Memorial. There's no way my husband will go for that.

Thanks though.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherJenny 

Hi!

Here you can find out information specifically about MMH and her fees:  http://rihomebirth.com/index.php

There is also a home birth collective website and facebook page -- you can find out lots of information there.  You can talk with people involved with the home birth movement in RI, take part in centering groups, meet/talk with families that have had homebirths, find doulas that support home birth etc.  It's a really great group of people:  http://www.homebirthri.org/

The facebook page is here:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_167438153286426&ap=1

Good luck!

[JustAnotherJenny]

You should try talking with her directly-- maybe she'd be willing to help with the cost.  Maybe some of the midwives from MA might be more affordable?

Ask around on that facebook forum, people may have suggestions for you.

[Mrs.aLifeofReilly]

Originally Posted by mrspnut82 

omg that's almost $6000. I seriously expected it to be maybe $3500 going by what other people pay (but in different states). I had no idea this state was that high.

I think I might be better off trying for State health ins. and going to Memorial. There's no way my husband will go for that.

Thanks though.

I had Sue Smith for my homebirth in MA (we paid out of pocket and through my husbands FSA) and she was wonderful.  Her fee is close to what you expected and no where near $6k.  You should call her and talk to her.
 

[sg784]

Nancy Farr in CT also goes into RI to attend births. 8607426911 Her fee is more of what you expected as well. She is also willing to barter and open to payment plans. Just ask! If you are committed to homebirth you WILL have one. Good luck in your search for a midwife. I hope you find the one who will truly be "with woman", with you!

[lizfu]

Nancy is wonderful and flexible. I think you could afford her and most of the CT midwives are cool with installment plans.

[KarenMT]

I had Sue Smith for my last birth and she was in the range you expected but that was 3 yrs back.  I just had a HB with Nancy Wainer and she is very flexibile in allowing payment over an extended period of time.  I only switched to her during the last 6-7 weeks of pregnancy so her rate was reduced but I would have never been able to afford her from the beginning.