help me find a midwife for my military sister in law in Central NJ

[knlrachel]

My sister in law just found out she is expecting their first child (she's about 5-6 weeks).  She had planned to use the midwives I used (Princeton Midwifery Care) and she really wants a natural birth and definitely wants to avoid interventions.  So, she was really upset when Tricare Prime told her that she couldn't go to Del Val OB/Gyn or Princeton Midwifery Care.  They gave her the option to go to Hamilton OB/Gyn Associates (they have several MW there including Joanne Healey who I can't figure out why I recognize her name!).  They are working to appeal, but in case that falls through, what should she know about Robert Wood Johnson hospital and specifically the Hamilton OB/Gyn midwives?  Any experience with them?  Any ideas on how she could go to Del Val?  Thoughts?  Other recommendations?  I don't think she is open to a homebirth at this point yet....

Also how are they with doulas?  I am wanting to support them as a non-professional doula - though any recommendations on how to learn how to be a doula would be appreciated too - Thanks!

[dlm194]

She can definitely use Midwifery Care Associates in Pennington (Pam and Louise).  I'm an AD military wife and used them without an issue.  Even though they are not listed with Tricare providers online, they are network providers.  They also do hospital and homebirth (I was a hospital birth).  One of their back up doctors is military which always made my dh happy.  ;) Capital Health definitely accepts Tricare.  I do know of a woman who is active duty herself and used them as well (I think she is on this site but no longer living in the area).  She had to fight a little bit with Tricare but it went through.  I'd suggest actually visiting the Tricare office.

I'm not clear if your SIL is AD or if her husband is AD.  If it's her husband and she really wants to stick with the Del Val midwives, she can switch to Tricare Standard.  Everyone (even the Tricare people) recoil in fear when you suggest that but it's super easy to use and really doesn't cost that much.  Tricare Standard basically allows you to see anyone for a small cost share.  But that cost share (and deductible) does NOT apply to maternity.  I think the most she will pay is $25/day for the hospital, no matter how her birth turns out.   

If she has any questions, feel free to ask!  I've had 2 babies on Tricare.  I know we aren't in a big military area so it can make things confusing.

Tricare does not cover doulas.  If you want to learn more about acting as a doula, I'd suggest The Birth Partner.  If you want to formally train, let me know.  I know several doulas and there may be training classes in the area.  I had a doula for my 2nd birth at Capital Health and the nurses were great about it.

[knlrachel]

woohoo!  You have no idea how excited I am to hear this.  I was possibly going to use them for a homebirth when I was considering that for myself last year.  My SIL has Tricare prime and nothing is coming up under the searches (except a RWJ practice that seems a bit too medical).  My brother is AD, so they could switch to standard, but they weren't sure how much that would cost them (she got laid off in June).  Where are you located?  My brother is AD at McGuire AFB.  I am kind of interested in formal training.  I'm not sure if I would have the time/money to do the training right now, but I would be interested in any info about classes :)  Thanks so much!

[dlm194]

If your SIL wants to use Pam and Louise, she can most likely stay on Prime.  Tell her to give them a call; they are fairly used to dealing with Tricare.  If she wants to use the Del Val midwives, Standard really isn't that scary.  Her husband would stay on Prime and the baby could be on prime. She can switch back to Standard in a year (although i think she could switch back right after her birth if her dh is an E4 or below).  The costs for Standard depend a little bit on rank.  We are in the highest out-of-pocket bracket.  My 3 kids and I are on Standard.  We have a $300 deductible and a $1000 out of pocket cap (so $700 after the $300 deductible).  If it's just her, the deductible would be $150 for non-maternity medical care.  Not sure about the cap for 1 person.  To give you an idea, the fiscal year starts in October so we only have a couple months left before our year starts again.  My dd sees top specialists at CHOP for an eye condition; our yearly visit there is billed over $10,000.  My newest LO has gone for a couple ultra-sounds.  He has also seen a GI doctor and a urologist (plus his well visits).  So far, I've paid about $600 out of pocket for all of us and none of our doctors are in-network.  We still have $400 before hitting our cap which is not likely. Considering we don't pay premiums, I don't think $600 for nearly a year of medical care for 4 people is too unreasonable.  The cost shares to see a doctor are about 15% of what Tricare allows (not what the doctor charges).      Of course if she uses in-network doctors on Standard, she won't pay anything (since they accept what Tricare gives them) - that's know as using the "Tricare Extra" option.  Can you tell I like Standard?  LOL!  I love being able to see anyone I want and never needing a referral. 

My dh is technically stationed at Fort Dix (or Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst - whatever it's being called!) for now but he's attached to the NG so he travels all over the state.  We are an hour off post so that's why Standard works so much better for me.  Although if we ever moved closer to Dix, I'd stay on Standard. 

Let me find out about any doula trainings come up and I'll message you.  :)

[holothuroidea]

I don't know anything about military insurance but I can put in a good word for Pam and Louise.

I had Pam for my birth, she was absolutely wonderful. The assistant, Tammy, was the one who actually caught my baby and she is just the best. I highly recommend them.

[Moxie Miyamoto]

I am right down by Fort Dix, and let me tell you NJ is just horrible! There is a birth center about an hour and fifteen minutes from here http://www.thebirthcenter.org/ that i wanted so badly to give birth at but they did not let me since this is my second child, so instead of going to virtua which seems HORRIBLE i opted to go to RWJ in Hamilton. They are much more open to having my child there when i give birth, and they have a labor tub but they apparently do not allow water birth - i dont know if this is maybe a NJ law? As far as resources around this area they are horrible! there are a few people within a hour radius of here that teach Bradley Method and Hypnobirthing if she is interested, i actually emailed a few people today and i can get back to you about that? There is only one birth center in NJ i have found that is all the way up state a good hour and a half away. As far as doulas, i found once in central jersey that looks great but again - over an hour away from here. Bradley method classes i found were 300$ and who knows how much the doula is... if she is interested in any Placenta encapsulated services i found two in Philli and that same doula does it. Again i am researching on my own here too so keep me informed of what you guys might here and i will do the same!!

http://www.doulanj.com/

[dlm194]

Moxie,  I'm not clear on exactly what you are looking for but there are quite a few doulas in NJ.  Capital Health takes Tricare and you can use midwives there.  There are no freestanding birth centers in NJ (only hospitals that call their maternity units "birthing centers" but Capital health is very open to natural birth.  Water births are up to the hospital (no NJ laws about that) but very few hospitals actually offer them - there is one in South Jersey and one in North Jersey.  Honestly, I don't think it's worth traveling out to that Birth Center.  There are closer decent options.

ETA: maybe this will help a little:  http://tristatedoulaconnection.info/doulas-new-jersey