• We will serve families choosing a planned home birth that will birth within the greater Chico area, this typically falls within 30 miles of the hospital. 

• Prenatal care, gynecological services, and most postpartum care will be provided at our office location in Chico, CA.

In short, no we are not in-network providers with any insurance company. Our services are “cash pay” only. However we contract with a midwifery billing that can submit a superbill after the birth of your child for reimbursement. Many insurance companies will reimburse for out-of-network provider services. Upon initiating care, we will submit your insurance information to the billing service and we can receive a “Verification of Benefits”, this will give us an idea on how much your insurance may reimburse after birth.

While most of our families give birth at home, sometimes a situation arises in labor that requires a transfer to a neighboring hospital to complete the birth.  Most home birth transfers into a hospital are non-urgent situations that allow families the choice to move into a hospital for access to interventions that may benefit them. Occasionally there is a true concern or an emergency which requires the services of a hospital or physicians without notice.  During prenatal care a plan is agreed upon for each of these situations, taking into account the location of the planned birth, the family's preferences, and their insurance coverage.

Our midwives bring emergency response medications and equipment with them to every birth. Typically there are indications in pregnancy when a mother or baby may need more advanced care at birth. If your health changes during your pregnancy or birth and it is no longer advisable to birth your baby at home we will help you find a skillful provider for a hospital birth. If we do need to transfer to the hospital during your labor a member of our team will be available to provide labor support if the hospital policy allows and you do not have a suspected or confirmed Covid infection. We can resume postpartum care on our usual schedule once you are back home or through the active infection period.

We arrive for your birth during the labor process and bring everything we may need in order to keep you and your baby safe during labor, birth and the postpartum period. The equipment we bring includes:

• Resuscitation equipment for baby and mother: a bag and mask resuscitator and oxygen.

• Antihemorrhagic drugs to stop excessive postpartum bleeding.

• Monitoring equipment for you and your baby, including a doppler, blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, and infant stethoscope.

• Supplies for the newborn exam and any newborn procedures that you choose, including a scale, measuring tape, erythromycin ointment, and vitamin K.

• Suturing equipment to do repairs if any tearing occurred, and lidocaine to numb for suturing.

• Whether you actually deliver in the tub or simply use it for pain relief during labor, the option of having a water birth is an integral part of choosing a home birth.

• Soaking in warm water has been proven to have a relaxing and soothing effect on the body, easing tense muscles and reducing the pain, anxiety and stress hormones associated with contractions.

• A warm bath also promotes the natural production of endorphins (your body’s natural pain killer) and oxytocin (the “love” hormone), which encourages contractions. Additionally, the warm water supports the stretching of your perineum, which helps reduce tearing during birth.

• Another advantage of a water birth is the buoyancy of the water, which provides a wider range of movement and helps you get into a comfortable and balanced position for delivery.

• We have birthing tubs available for rent for those who chose to birth in the water, or you may purchase your own birthing tub, resources available.