Cost of a homebirth?

[maylea_moon]

Can anyone tell me the average cost of a homebirth? I had my son in the hospital because I was on medicaid but I really really am hoping to birth at home with my next one. Dh and I aren't even TTC yet but I'd like to know so we could start saving up for the possibility. And what does the birth usually include? Thanks so much.

[pamamidwife]

It varies based on where you live - I'd say average is about $2000, with some areas being higher (think: big cities) and some lower (rural).

My fee includes all prenatals, the birth, and postpartums as well as being on call for you throughout your pregnancy and postpartum. It does NOT include labwork (ultrasounds, bloodwork), a birth kit (about $40), and newborn metabolic screening should you want it.

[AAK]

I live in Eastern WA state and I am paying 2500. My insurance will pick up some of it. Like pp said it covers prenatal care, birth, and postpartum care for mom and baby. My labwork was separate and I have spent a grand total of $50 for birth supplies (not all are required things though).

Amy

[Stugroupie]

Originally Posted by pamamidwife

fee includes all prenatals, the birth, and postpartums as well as being on call for you throughout your pregnancy and postpartum. It does NOT include labwork (ultrasounds, bloodwork), a birth kit (about $40), and newborn metabolic screening should you want it.

I live in No IL and have a CPM. She covers same as above for $1500 if paid by 35 weeks. I think it goes up to $2000 if you don't take the prepayment discount. My birth kit cost $36 but I chose to add a few extras so ended up to be about $50.

I had some bloodwork, ultrasounds and Rhogham shots done by a local CNM that has a homebirth practice. (She is covered under my insurance and I don't have an OB.)

I don't know if insurance will cover any of the CPM's fee, but it will still cost less than our hospital birth. We had insurance, but it was still upwards of $2000 out of pocket. It took us 18 months to pay it off. I would suggest saving up some money while TTC or at least once you find out you are pg no matter where you choose to give birth!

[AugustLia23]

My midwife was 2300 for the birth fee plus 75 for each prenatal. The other midwife at my birth charges 3200 for her clients, including everything. That seems to be th average here in Boston.

[Peppamint]

I pay $1500 for prenatal care, attending the birth and a pp visit or two in south central Indiana (a more rural area). This does not include any lab work etc- which you could go see an OB for that and be covered by medicaid. Unlike an OB, I can call my midwife night or day and email her anytime.

We're paying for the birth with part of our tax refund, the rest of which goes to get rid of debt!

[2+twins]

Mine is currently $4500 (Bay Area). That's on the highest end that I've seen. The fee covers all my prenatal visits, the birth, 2 home newborn/postnatal visits just after the birth, and the 6 week visit. It doesn't include any lab work that might be done or the birth kit my mw asks we order (which is less than $40 I believe). Wouldn't hurt to call around to mw's in your area & just ask. Depending on the insurance you have at the time, you may be able to get some or all of it covered. I know the HMO we were looking at didn't have any mw's in their network therefore they said we could go to any mw & get it 80% covered (reimbursed coverage, however). Unfortunately we lagged and didn't switch coverage so we're paying out of pocket.

[momto l&a]

I live in Idaho and paid 1,400 each for my first 2 HB. The we move 10+miles from town and the last hb cost us 1,800. The mw didnt even make it to the birth just her assisitant JUST made it.

Our mw charges more if you are 30+ miles away from her.

I think she is putting in a birth center and I dont know what the cost of using that place will be.

We also have to by the supply box thats $40.

Our insurance covers NOTHING related to HB.

[maylea_moon]

Originally Posted by momto l&a

I live in Idaho and paid 1,400 each for my first 2 HB. The we move 10+miles from town and the last hb cost us 1,800. The mw didnt even make it to the birth just her assisitant JUST made it.

I'm in Idaho too! Pocatello. What part are you in?

[witchbaby]

our's cost $3000 by 35 weeks, $2700 if paid by 28 weeks. i definitely think we're getting our money's worth though, with long appointments to discuss everything, not just a pee-weigh-measure-heartbeat-bye appointment that are traditionally done by doctors, plus always being on call and post-partum care. i love my midwives and am looking forward to having them at our birth!

[DreamsInDigital]

Mine was $2400 in Portland, OR.

[momto l&a]

Maylea moon, I am 70 miles south of Lewiston.

[MistyB]

$2,500 for everything MW related (prenatals, birth, postnatals) and about $40 for the birth kit.

The cost of all of the HB midwives that I have talked to in MI are IIRC:

2,000
2,500
2,700
3,600 (freestanding birth center but they might consider a homebirth IF they had no other moms in labor or ready to go)

[Earthylady]

I'm in central Ohio and there are several lay midwives here in the city that will do homebirth with all included prenatals (no labs...other than urine strips and weights, bp, etc) for around $2800.

However, I went with a lady that is about an hour away from me that is significantly less and trained with the other midwives I just mentioned about 10 years ago. She works mostly with the Amish and Menonite community and is very flexible on payment arraingments and bartering services. She charges $850 for the birth, $25 for the birth kit, and $35 for each prenatal visit. She allows you to choose how many prenatal visits you want and what you're comfortable with. I go to her for them, but at the birth she'll come to me. She also has an apprentice that will be her helper at the birth...or can act as a doula as well. If I choose to use any herbs to assist with labor or anything, that too would cost extra depending on what herbs I wanted her to use. Also, I plan on spending about $40 (after shipping) on the large fishy pool. So, after all is said and done...I'm looking at about $1100.

[Satori]

My last MW 5 years ago charged $700 but I didn't find her until the end of the pregnancy. My current MW charges $3500 plus the cost of the birth pool rental which is $250 I think. I'm in a small town in CA.

[lacysmommy]

My MW's standard fee is $4500, charging $3600 if you prepay. That includes all standard care and appointments, but not the birth kit, pool, and any extra tests beyond the standard ones they can do there in the office (such as u/s or GD). We live in a very high cost area though. Two years ago the standard fee was only $3500, $2600 if you prepaid.

[PatchyMama]

the midwives here are on a sliding cale.. you can pay anywhere from 2100-3200 (i think) .. and you decide what you can afford. That fee covers all your appointments, birth, postpartum, etc. The only other thing I paid was my birth kit ($50 I think) and I had to have a few lab tests for a UTI.

[alegna]

Here in Houston last I compared prices they ranged from $2400- $5800

-Angela

[ChiaraRose]

We pay 3000 and that is in Phoenix, AZ. (I have to add that she is not only a CPM, but also an ND) All prenatal visits are included and 1 visit the day after birth, 1 visit a week after birth and then the 6 week postpartum. Lab is not included, but covered by insurance.
I can call her anytime and she had me come over to her house once because I was freaking out about something to listen to the baby. She is awesome! It is a lot of money though, there goes our savings.

[pixiexto]

I can't remember if it was $1100 or $1200, but basically a little over $1000. In Alabama, with a GA midwife. That covered a primary and back-up midwife (both amazing!). I'd spend it again in a heartbeat.