Question 1

What is a Midwife?

Accepted Answer

In a nutshell, midwives are experts in healthy low risk pregnancy and birth.
 
Licensed Midwives offer primary maternity care during pregnancy through 6 weeks postpartum.

Midwives listen, observe, educate, guide, and care. They order and interpret tests and discuss results. They screen for physical, psychological, emotional and social wellbeing.

We are with you during your pregnancy, labor and birth, normal and complicated. We catch your baby in the comfort of your home.

We help you with breastfeeding and most importantly adjusting to life with a new baby.

We work together and with other health professionals.

We practice evidence-based, client-centered maternity, and newborn care and we are an established part of the health care system.

Question 2

What is Midwifery? ​

Accepted Answer

The midwife’s scope of practice is low-risk, healthy pregnancy and childbirth.  We provide individualized, flexible care and attempt to be responsive to the needs of each family.  Our education prepares us to work as primary caregivers for low risk pregnancy and birth.

Question 3

What are the advantages of Midwifery care?

Accepted Answer

Comparative studies between Midwifery care and Obstetrician-led care consistently show that clients under midwifery care encounter lower rates of forceps usage, vacuum extractions, caesarean sections, episiotomies, infections, and instances where babies require resuscitation.

Midwifery clients are encouraged to make evidence based informed choices fostering a collaborative approach to their care.

Midwifery clients have full access to routine medical testing during pregnancy, including blood work, genetic testing, and ultrasounds.

Midwifery clients also enjoy the benefits of building a trusting relationship with their midwives throughout pregnancy. This relationship fosters a sense of trust and confidence.

Central to midwifery practice is the commitment to ensuring clients feel respected and supported, empowering them to navigate pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood with a sense of strength and dignity.

Question 4

What is the difference between a Midwife and a Doula?

Accepted Answer

Midwives are trained medical professionals licensed by the Medical Board of California,  They provide comprehensive clinical care from pregnancy to postpartum for both the mother and baby.

Doulas offer non-medical support, focusing on the emotional and physical comfort of the mother during childbirth.
​
Often, women choose to have both a midwife for medical care and a doula for additional support during labor and childbirth.

Question 5

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Tribe Midwifery does not accept insurance, but some insurance companies will cover midwifery care and home birth.

A PPO or POS insurance plan is more likely to reimburse for a home birth. You can contact your insurance provider’s Verification of Benefits department and ask if they cover midwifery services with a Licensed Midwife/Certified Professional Midwife.

We also work with Favored Medical Billing service and for a nominal fee you can have them verify your benefits and submit your subsequent billing.

​We do accept the following forms of payment: Personal Check – PayPal - Master Card – American Express – Visa  - There is a 3% service charge for credit card transactions

Question 6

Do you carry Malpractice Insurance?

Accepted Answer

Due to the prohibitive costs which we would need to pass on to our clients, we do not carry malpractice insurance.

Question 7

I’m currently seeing a doctor, is it too late to switch to midwifery care?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not! Midwives are happy to take clients at any time in their pregnancy, provided we still have room. Just call to book an appointment.

It’s never too late to switch to midwifery care. Most OBs won’t take “late transfers,” but as long as you have received regular prenatal care throughout your pregnancy, have complete copies of your medical records, and fall into the “low risk” category, we would love to share in your home birth experience.

We limit the number of clients due in any 30-day period so acceptance into care will depend on availability. ​

Question 8

High risk medical conditions or complications of pregnancy are best cared for by a physician.

Accepted Answer

However the best way to find out if you are too high risk is to book a free consultation with Tribe Midwifery to discuss your individual case.

Many of the reasons people think they are ‘high risk’ do not preclude you from midwifery care.  For example, women often think they are ‘high risk’ for being over the age of 35, struggling to get pregnant, previously having a miscarriage, or a previous cesarean birth when in fact, we care for pregnancies under these circumstances all the time. I have been told that I am “high risk”.  Can I still see a midwife?

Question 9

My Apartment is really small, can I still birth at home?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!  Nobody can prohibit you from having a home birth in an apartment building, nor are you required to get “permission” from the property manager.

​We have attended births in very small spaces.  The only considerations to keep in mind if you want a water birth is where would you like to set up the tub.

Question 10

When do I make my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you have a positive home pregnancy test. We can formally confirm your pregnancy with a simple blood test if you desire.

Question 11

Can my partner or my other children attend my appointments and birth?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!  You are welcome to bring whichever support people you feel comfortable being a part of your experience.  Prenatal appointments are a great opportunity for your partner to meet the midwives and have his or her questions answered, and for your children to get comfortable with the midwives and participate in your pregnancy and birth.

Question 12

How long are appointments?

Accepted Answer

Prenatal appointments are typically 45 minutes to an hour long.  During this time we discuss all your needs and concerns.

Our 1 hour appointments allow us to get to know you and for you get to know us, creating an atmosphere of trust.

Question 13

Can I have pain medication during my labor?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer pain medication but we do offer holistic forms of pain relief.  Laboring in the water is very comforting, as well as being able to move freely. Not to mention being surrounded by people who trust and know birth.

Question 14

How long are appointments?

Accepted Answer

Our prenatal appointments are typically 45 minutes to an hour long.  During this time we discuss all your needs and concerns.  Our 1 hour appointments allow us to get to know you and for you get to know us, creating an atmosphere of trust.

Question 15

Can I have pain medication during my labor?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer pain medication but we do offer holistic forms of pain relief.  Laboring in the water is very comforting, as well as being able to move freely. Not to mention being surrounded by people who trust and know birth.

Question 16

When to call your midwife?

Accepted Answer

Please call us if you experience any abnormal symptoms in pregnancy or any time you have urgent concerns.  There are many aches and pains that are normal in pregnancy.  Therefore, what you are concerned about may not be a “danger” sign.  However, it is important that any of the following signs be assessed:

Bleeding from your vagina (a small amount may be normal after a vaginal exam or sexual intercourse)
Severe pain in your belly
Sudden severe swelling of hands and face
Severe headaches, blurry vision, feeling dizzy
Fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
Water breaking/ rupture of membranes (pay attention to the quantity, color, and possibly the odor of the water)
Severe nausea and vomiting
Pain or burning when urinating (going pee)
Much less movement from your baby after 24 weeks of pregnancy

Question 17

What supplies do I need to provide for home birth?

Accepted Answer

You’ll already have purchased your birth kit with all the disposable items needed for your birth from Simply Birth.

Question 18

What will my Midwife provide for a home birth?

Accepted Answer

Your Midwife will bring all the medical equipment necessary for monitoring the baby and momma’s vital signs. This will include a fetal Doppler, used to listen to the baby’s heartbeat, stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. We carry a portable oxygen tank, resuscitation equipment, IV supplies, emergency medications for bleeding, local anesthetic and suturing supplies.

​This is a fraction of the items in my birth bag.  If you would like to know more just ask, and I will be happy to share and explain everything in my birth bag with you in detail.

Question 19

When during my labor process do I call my midwife?

Accepted Answer

Please call us anytime you think you might be in labor.

Most often you will have some laboring to do before a baby is born, but we always want to check in with you at the earliest signs of labor. There are many factors that determine when we arrive. We will follow the progress of your labor over the phone, and usually come over to see how you are doing when it sounds like you are in active labor or if you feel you need our support.

If this is your second baby and your first labor was really fast we might want to come by to check in a little sooner.  If you call to tell me “you’re doing great”, but I hear moaning in the background, I might ask if I could come check in for a moment.

Often we have a really good idea of where you are in the labor process by the sounds the made in labor. If we arrive at your home and you are not in active labor (6 cm or more), we will generally help settle you into your labor process, leave and return when you are in an active labor pattern,  Once you are in active labor we are with you until your baby arrives.

Question 20

What if there is an emergency during the birth?

Accepted Answer

What you're entrusting a midwife with is ensuring the safety of both you and your baby. We conduct regular monitoring of both the mother and the baby to ensure they remain within normal ranges for each stage of labor. Our training equips us to handle various emergencies that may arise during labor, at the time of birth, and in the postpartum period. Annually, we undergo recertification in neonatal resuscitation and CPR.

For every birth, we come prepared with emergency equipment, including oxygen, resuscitation tools, and medications to manage postpartum hemorrhages. Suturing is within our skill set. Should there be any deviation from the appropriate norms for your process - whether during labor, birth, or postpartum - we are committed to promptly transferring you or your infant to a hospital setting.

​Your safety is our paramount concern throughout the entire childbirth experience.

Question 21

Do we offer immunizations? Vitamin K?  Hearing testing?

Accepted Answer

In the hospital, babies are given the hepatitis B vaccine shortly after birth. We do not offer any vaccines. Your Pediatrician will provide all vaccines for your baby. We do offer injectable vitamin K, which is routinely given in the hospital to prevent rare hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN).   We do not offer hearing test. Your Pediatrician generally offers hearing testing or gives you a referral for a care provider covered by your insurance, to provide this service.

Question 22

Do I need to take my baby to a pediatrician?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that you select a pediatrician prior to your the birth of your baby. Care for your newborn through the first 6 weeks is included in your services. If during our newborn exam we discover any deviations from normal or your baby is not thriving during our initial visits, we will recommend you schedule pediatrician visit right away.

Question 23

How do I get a Birth Certificate in LA?

Accepted Answer

To register an out-of-hospital birth in Los Angeles County we will complete the necessary paperwork to receive your Birth Certificate. You will  bring this completed paperwork to your appointment with the Department of Vital Records.

​You can find details of all the necessary requirements on Los Angeles County’s Public Health website. You can make an appointment with the Vital Records Office in downtown LA by calling 213-288-7812, both parents and baby must appear in person with paperwork and photo ID.

Question 24

How do I get a Birth Certificate in other counties?

Accepted Answer

To register an out-of-hospital birth in San Bernardino County we will complete the necessary paperwork to receive your Birth Certificate. You will  bring this completed paperwork to your appointment with the Department of Vital Records.

​You can make an appointment with the Health Department in San Bernardino by calling 909-387-4086 or 909-387-4292.

Both parents and baby must appear in person with paperwork and photo ID.

FAQ

What is a Midwife?

What is Midwifery? ​

What are the advantages of Midwifery care?

What is the difference between a Midwife and a Doula?

Do you accept insurance?

Do you carry Malpractice Insurance?

I’m currently seeing a doctor, is it too late to switch to midwifery care?

High risk medical conditions or complications of pregnancy are best cared for by a physician.

My Apartment is really small, can I still birth at home?

When do I make my first appointment?

Can my partner or my other children attend my appointments and birth?

How long are appointments?

Can I have pain medication during my labor?

How long are appointments?

Can I have pain medication during my labor?

When to call your midwife?

What supplies do I need to provide for home birth?

What will my Midwife provide for a home birth?

When during my labor process do I call my midwife?

What if there is an emergency during the birth?

Do we offer immunizations? Vitamin K? Hearing testing?

Do I need to take my baby to a pediatrician?

How do I get a Birth Certificate in LA?

How do I get a Birth Certificate in other counties?

What is Midwifery?