Anyone have a homebirth in NY state?

Katrina · 03-01-2002, 03:52 PM

I would like to have a homebirth, but am worried about legalities. If anyone knows specifically about NY state, please share!

soulspirals · 03-01-2002, 04:17 PM

I don't have any children yet, but I know there are 3 midwives in Ithaca, NY (where I live) that do home births. They are legal. NY does, however, strictly control the licensure of midwives - and almost exclusively allows CNMs.

I have personally spoken to Monica Daniel who runs GentlyBorne Midwifery Service in Ithaca. She is a Certified Nurse midwife and might be able to help you find more information or a practitioner near you.

I also know that Kate Finn is one of the few licensed non-CNMs (she is direct entry, trained in England) in my area. She runs Women's Way Health Care.

If you need contact information for one of these women, please email me personally.

Sylvia Lynn · 03-06-2002, 02:43 PM

here's my midwife's page. she's in new mexico now but was practicing in ny before it was legal. she was part of the fight for legalization. maybe she has info.
Hilary

maiaminna · 03-14-2002, 10:48 PM

It is legal AND I just found out HMO's are required to cover it! If you're in the Rochester area I highly recommend my midwife, Pat Diebel. She's a CNM but very hands-off & just wonderful!

gchen · 03-03-2008, 02:50 PM

I'm a reporter from The Post-Standard in Syracuse, NY, and I'm writing a story about how tough it is to have a homebirth in the Syracuse area. If you live in that area and would be willing to be interviewed, please e-mail me at gchen@syracuse.com. I'd love to speak with you.

DoulaJulian · 03-03-2008, 05:03 PM

I am about to have a HB in Allegany NY...as long as you have a CNM who is legally able to attend HB, and has a written practice agreement with an OB then it is 100% legal in NY state. Additionally, my insurance (BCBS) is covering 100% of the costs.

Clearly, if you have a DEM, or CPM, Lay Midwife, or a CNM who does not have a WPA with an OB, then it is considered an "illegal HB" and insurance will not cover it in NY...not to mention the whole "midwife might go to jail" thing.

So, yes, it is legal, but no it is not easy! If you are in WNY area, i'd be happy to recommend my wonderful midwives!

Pyrodjm · 03-03-2008, 05:15 PM

It's legal here and my midwife says most insurance companies cover it without a fight.

The mamas in the New York tribe can recommend midwives depending on where you live.

Nan'sMom · 03-03-2008, 05:54 PM

I'm in NYS and I've had two homebirths. It's legal with a CNM and there are also DEMs practicing under the radar. I'm in the Hudson Valley area. If you're nearby feel free to pm me for ideas of midwives and birth resources.

srlpenny · 03-03-2008, 10:12 PM

There are also CPMs in NY that have passed the CNM exam, without becoming nurses. They are called CMs and are also eligible for being licensed and insurance HAS to cover the birth with them.
If you go to www.birthnewyork.org you can find a lot of info. Although finding CPMs and "lay midwifes" still requires a little more under the radar research. Where in NY are you? NYC, Hudson Valley, Ithaca, Rochester I've heard have a lot of options. Where I am in Albany is a lot more limited ...state capital ... go figure.

PregnantMomma20 · 03-04-2008, 06:28 AM

I'm in Western NY and am having a homebirth with a wonderful midwife team! I can get you in touch with them if you would like!

Greeneyes0506 · 03-04-2008, 06:38 AM

I had a wonderful homebirth barely a month ago. My insurance covered almost all of the costs, I had to pay $650.

ggmomma · 04-09-2008, 02:32 PM

While I not quite ready to use those services, I would love the information about the midwifery team near Ripley, NY.
Thanks!

sunanthem · 04-10-2008, 02:34 AM

I had a homebirth w/ a lay midwife, it was fine, we just went and got the birth certificate afterwards, no problems.

**rootzdawta** · 04-10-2008, 02:52 AM

I had a homebirth is NY with a certified midwife (lay midwife). She was based out of Jersey but the next time I'm going with another lay midwife based in Brooklyn. It's legal in NY. Health insurance companies are supposed to cover homebirths for CNMs. Sometimes they refuse to cover the whole shebang especially if you go with a lay midwife (not a CNM) but you should be able to get them to cover a significant percentage (1/3 to 1/2).

http://www.ins.state.ny.us/ogco2005/rg050409.htm

Kim919 · 04-10-2008, 08:14 AM

Hi

I live in upstate NY & I'm pregnant planning a home birth. They are perfectly legal as long as your midwife has the right qualifications (I think they have to be CNM... you would have to look it up)

The other GREAT thing that we are lucky for in NYS is that there is a law that your insurance company MUST cover the cost of a home birth. I actually have the URL to the publication from the governer if you need it let me know.

If your in the greater rochester area (specifically south, southwest, or southeast of rochester) I have a wonderful midwife who I would highly reccomend this far.

Best Wishes, let me know if you would like any more info.

Miss Chris · 04-10-2008, 05:59 PM

I also had a very good hb midwife in Brooklyn and my insurance had to cover it. We have the right in NY to choose our birthing provider and location so insurance is required to cover it. Of course, my very annoying and useless insurance wanted me to select one of two midwives in all of NYC on their provider list. It turns out that because of the right to choose they had to cover the midwife I chose provided I could demonstrate that the midwives on the provider list were unavailable. One of them actually was, and the other was very busy and more than happy to tell the insurance company that her practice was too full to take me on. (She knew my midwife personally was very supportive of my choice.)

I did have to do a huge run around having my midwife pre-approved with special forms to ensure payment (this included having my "diagnoses" reconfirmed after 6 months

) but they ended up paying the majority of the costs.

NY is actually a pretty good place to birth at home. If you plan to birth in NYC I'd be more than happy to refer you to my midwife, just let me know. Good luck to you.

Emma's_Mommy · 04-20-2008, 10:37 PM

i'm in syracuse NY and i didn't have a homebirth but i know several people who have recently had a homebirth or are pregnant and have an upcomming homebirth! PM me and i can put you in contact with some local home birthing moms!

helenatroy · 06-11-2008, 08:41 PM

Seems tough to find a midwife for a home birth in the capital region - can anyone give me somewhere to start?

UnassistedMomma · 06-12-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emma's_Mommy

i'm in syracuse NY and i didn't have a homebirth but i know several people who have recently had a homebirth or are pregnant and have an upcomming homebirth! PM me and i can put you in contact with some local home birthing moms!

Hi! I'm also in Syracuse. I think most of the moms here use the 3 midwives in Ithaca, who are willing to drive to Syracuse for births. I've heard a lot of good things about Kate Finn.

Are you part of the Syracuse Birth Circle group?

kalirush · 06-12-2008, 09:10 AM

It's cool to see what the situation is now in NY. My husband and SIL were very illegal homebirths out in the boonies surrounding Ithaca, back in the day!