Tricare, midwives, waterbirth, and coverage?! Concord, CA

[lovebranch]

Ok so I live in Concord, CA and am on Tricare Prime. For some reason I have no reaction to pain medications including some big ones like morphine. I have a feeling the epidural won't work on me either (morphine is a main common drug in epi's). I am 5 months pregnant with my first child and I want to do a waterbirth since natural pain reducers are all I can bank on. I have found a few threads online about other women trying to get tricare to cover a waterbirth and midwives, but none of them have an actual outcome.

So far I am working with my pcm to try and refer me to a midwife that tricare would cover. Does anyone have any new information on how to work with tricare and get a midwife covered? Has anyone gone through this already and had it work??

[celynen]

I am assuming you want a homebirth?  There aren't any hospitals in the East Bay that allow waterbirths (although Kaiser Walnut Creek and Alta Bates both have tubs, you have to get out to birth).  Do you have out of network coverage with your insurance?   I don't know of any licensed midwives who would be in-network. Most get paid directly and have a 3rd party billing service to help you file for reimbursement.

[chefemilee]

I lived in Concord when I had my boys and made the drive to Alta Bates.  I had nasty back labor with my first baby and was able to stay in the tub until it was time to push and it helped so much!  They were extremely supportive of my wishes for a natural birth and it was worth every minute of the drive.  Good luck!