How do I find a Homebirth Midwife?

[CaliMommie]

DH & I both want to avoid a hospital birth. We don't have much faith in the medical profession in general after our experiences with DS2 illness. Also, at my hospital birth with DS2, we were on our own anyway until it was time to push. Our midwife wasn't even at the hospital most of the time. And the nurses just annoyed me wanting to moniter me all the time. I had a normal, healthy pregnancy. Never had tearing, etc. Only complications were from the Cytotec (!) they used (they told me it was something else when I asked, but later slipped & said they had used Cytotec). I had alot of post-birth bleeding, but didn't even need any interventions.

How do I go about finding a homebirth midwife? I'm pretty sure the insurance I can get for pg (AIM Blue Cross CA) won't cover a homebirth, but I still really want one. Any advice or links are much appreciated! Thanks!

AmiBeth

[wtchyhlr]

I found mine in the phone book.

I've also heard La Leche League meetings are a good place to find them.

[KariM]

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[Lisashepp]

http://www.birthpartners.com/

[kavamamakava]

this looks like a great site: http://www.californiamidwives.org/
i did a websearch and found my first midwife that way. i found my 2nd one because she used to be partnered with the midwife who delivered my niece. and i found my current one thorugh word of mouth.

[CaliMommie]

Thanks mamas!

AmiBeth

[2+twins]

In addition to those suggestions, call your insurance company and ask what your options are. I had Blue Shield this last time and the physician's group I was with did actually offer service through a homebirth midwife (only I never bothered to ask so I used my own midwife and paid out of pocket). Doesn't hurt to ask.

[PapayaVagina]

I would also recommend contacting any local doulas and childbirth educators. When I was still doula-ing I always kept a list of all of the local homebirth midwives in the area.

[CaliMommie]

PapayaVagina~ First, I love your screen name! Reminds me of the Vagina Monologues. Second, that it a great idea. I asked a LLL leader friend who is a doula & she had a couple of names, but they weren't listed in the phone book. I'm going to keep trying, though.

AmiBeth