low income client

[snugglebug14]

I'm trying to convince my SIL to have a homebirth with this baby (she's 6w along and the baby was a BIG OOPPS) becuase she had a very hard time with all of the interventions duirng her last pregnancy/labor/birth. She was telling me what she wants for this baby and it sounds exactly like what she would get through homebirth care. But, she is very low income. I know almost all midwives in this area working on a sliding scale and will accept "whatever the family feels they can afford" but how low is too low? I'm sure she could barter some...but I'm not sure how much she can offer there. I'm also a midwifery student and was considering offering to help with prenatals and at the birth with the thought in mind that if the midwife didn't have to pay an assistant the fee would be lowering. At the same time, it would be my first birth assisting at so I don't know if I would just be more in the way, you know? I know that UC is an option for her, but I'm not so sure she or her husband would be too comfortable with that idea. Midwives in this area charge arouns 2800...what's the MINIMUM my sister in law should offer to pay? Thanks

[Maggi315]

I would say to offer to pay something each month, like 50.00/100.00. And make a list of things she can barter, what are her talents, what does her midwife need. She can offer to do office work, I would gladly barter with someone right now to type up about a million forms, handouts, and business things that need done and are taking alot of my time. In fact, I am thinking of making up a barter sheet to have on hand when clients need to barter.

Maybe she can offer to give her tax refund next year? Make payments until then, then give whatever amount that is? Or ask at holidays for money for her birth from family and friends?

I would definitely ask, though, I would work something out and I would hate to see someone shy away because of finances.

Now, on another note, I am feeling cranky about finances this month, because I haven't been paid for any births yet, since we are using insurance,I have learned my lesson on that. people will need to at least make partial payment plans until the insurance comes through, because it will be months, and I desperately need some income this month for operating expenses. Not the clients fault at all, my learning mistake...live and learn..

[BelgianSheepDog]

In my state and some others, homebirth is covered by state insurance if you sign up in the third trimester. Something to look into, for sure.

I would never suggest UC because of money reasons. That's one of those things that definitely has to be a freely made choice.

[MidwifeErika]

I agree with what has been said about making monthly payments and trying to barter some services such as office work or child care or something like that. And then are there any big chunks of money coming to her anytime soon such as tax return, financial aid check, etc. Maybe she could have a garage sale of unused items and put that all towards the midwife as well? I think rather than coming up with a bottom line number of what a midwife might expect to get paid, it would be better to sit down with her finances and really look over what is the most she could find to pay.... that is the most fair to all involved. I hope she is able to find the perfect arrangement!