HB on Oahu

[foenyx]

Hello all, I just wanted to ask here on the off-chance that someone knew anything about having a homebirth in HI? We have Kaiser and they won't cover it (although I'll try to work on them :bang )

Any info would be greatly appreciated, TIA

:hearts

[Kachina]

I actually live in Las Vegas and haven't been back to Oahu since 1991 but wanted to ad my 2 cents. From what I have heard, HB is illegal in HI. What have you heard??

[foenyx]

It's my understanding that technically, homebirth is legal everywhere.

So far I haven't found any info that indicates it's illegal here.

Maybe someone else will have more information, in the meantime, I'll research even more.

[3_opihi]

I'm on Oahu, but I don't know of any midwives. If it helps, a friend of mine is moving here next year, after she does her midwifery training at the farm. Probably too late though. Did you get my PM???

[tmajdrake]

Homebirth is legal! There are midwives all over the state infact the hawaii midwife alliance is located in honolulu. I have had 2 UC's if you need any help just email me at cash@jojabis.com

thanks,
mary jo

[Malama]

Aloha!
I don't live on Oahu, but an am apprentice midwife on the Big Island. Midwives are considered "alegal" in the state of HI, meaning there are no regulations.

MAH, the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii has a website with contact information for some midwives in Oahu-- there may be more but not all chose to be listed or aren't involved with the org. Check out http://www.midwiveshawaii.org/

Good luck!

Karen

[foenyx]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I found a midwife that I can not only afford, but based on some phone conversations and a meeting, I adore.

Thanks for all the help! :love

I'm feeling so much better about this- I was in tears the first day I started looking and thought I would end up delivering at a Kaiser hospital with any number of hospital OBs, clinic OBs or residents on call for the birth.

Thanks too for making me feel less alone. We've been here not quite a year and I feel like a fish out of water.

[earthmama007]

Hi I had both my babies in Hawaii, on O'ahu. If you need anymore infomation feel free to PM me. My midwife was Lori Kimata and I love, love her. I don't know if that is who you are using. I know of a few others here as well. She is also our doctor. We are military and have never needed to use the facilities on base. We love her and are going to be sad when we have to leave in Jan. You can have a HB, it is never illegal to birth your baby in the comforts of your own home. Lori is certified under her N.D. liscence, that is the easiest way to go about it here. HTH. :wave

[3_opihi]

So Lori can be you regular doc as well? My ds and I have an appointment with another midwife/naturopath next week, for non birth related things. It seems that she can't really sign off on anything as our doctor though.

I have heard wonderful things about Lori though. Maybe I'll switch to her. Where on Oahu is she? We're windward.

[earthmama007]

Yes, she can. I go for my paps and the OB stuff when I am preggo. We have been lucky because none of us have been sick in the whole four years of being on island. I know that she could handle just about anything and if she couldn't she would refer you to a friend that is very respectable. She is very knowledgable. I like that her approach is very broad and she doesn't rely on just one type of treatment. Her number is 808-949-4938 Good Luck! She recently started working with another Dr. Ye Nguyen, so sweet. :OT She was at my DD's birth and took some amzing pictures. Anyhow, if I can help you more let me know.

Alohas!!:love

[foenyx]

You guys are making me feel better. Lori Kimata was on my short list (who I could afford since we have to pay out of pocket). After the first meeting, I knew I wanted her as my MW, but she's going to be out of town the two weeks before my due date.

She's finding another midwife to cover those two weeks, and arranging so I pay the same amount no matter who attends the birth.

I'm so glad my instincts seem to have been right :D