Trouble finding a midwife « Back to Group Discussions

[bellaeiko]

So I went to my 1st ultrasound appointment today and I was surprised at the doctors pretty shocked and then overly controlling response when I told her I wanted a midwife. the surprises kept coming once I learned that midwife services were not provided nor covered by Kaiser insurance. 

I have a saving grace here. I happen to have Medical and Medicare. If I can find a midwife in the area that can take those forms of insurance for her services I would be most pleased. I found a Jeri Zukoski in Berkeley, CA but I haven't received a call back from her... she may have too many patients. I just was wondering if maybe someone could help me with some resources to help me figure all this out. 

I don't have $3500, or anything close to that, to pay out of pocket so I'm hoping that won't be the reason I'm left to haggle with drug & surgery pushing doctors for the duration of my pregnancy and through the birthing process.

[Greenlea]

I totally feel you! My insurance won't cover a homebirth (what I really want) at all, and has no midwives in-network for me. 

I refuse to go with an OB and have to fight my way to a natural birth. Plus I really want a waterbirth.

I now have to decide if I want to pay the out-of-network costs to use a miwife at a hospital, or pay out of pocket entirely for a homebirth.

I hate America's health care system.

To find midwives I just googled midwives near me (I live outside of Chicago) and it brought up a great website. 

You can also check with the hospitals around you and see which midwives work out them to get referrals.  I know by me, not every hospital had a midwife associated with or allowed midwives to deliver there.  

[bellaeiko]

I'm so frustrated. I've been calling everywhere it seems like in California and I'm leaving a million messages or being flat out disappointed. I had on woman, an assistant for Debra Coleman, that told me it would be impossible for me to find a midwife that can 100% make the delivery... That's absurd.

I'm very frustrated. I almost snapped someones head off because they're giving me all this information about who they used. I don't want to use the same person. I don't have good reason, I'm just put off right now I guess. Ready to give up and just go to the hospital. 

[Greenlea]

Have you thought about a homebirth?  You may have to pay out of pocket, but alot give discounts for that. And you may be able to find an underground midwife that could help you. Not sure in California, but here in Illinois, its illegal for midwives to attend homebirths. They have to be a certified nurse midwife.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Greenlea 

Have you thought about a homebirth?  You may have to pay out of pocket, but alot give discounts for that. And you may be able to find an underground midwife that could help you. Not sure in California, but here in Illinois, its illegal for midwives to attend homebirths. They have to be a certified nurse midwife.

This is what I was thinking.  I don't know how much your insurance covers for a hospital birth.  I know some people have it awesome and don't have to pay a dime out of pocket, but for us, we have a fairly high deductible to meet and then 30% on top of that.  So it's going to be a few thousand even with insurance.

However, here a DEM would only cost $1500-2000 at most.