MIDWIFE FAQs
There’s a lot to think about when choosing a midwife.
Below are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR MIDWIFERY CARE?
- Comprehensive care from conception to six weeks after birth
- Hour-long prenatal visits at our office every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until the 36 week home visit, then weekly until birth.
- Prenatal and postpartum massage
- Ultrasound head down check at our office at 32-34 weeks
- Acupuncture ripening treatments starting at 36 weeks
- Attendance during your labor, birth and immediate postpartum
- Birth tub
- 2 midwives at your birth
- Newborn eye prophylaxis and injectable Vitamin K (as needed)
- Standard birth kit
- Arvigo™ therapy
- At least three home postpartum visits in the first week with you and your baby
- Breastfeeding support
- At least two office postpartum visits (including massage)
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Dietary supplements
- Any routine or non-routine lab fees or diagnostic work; including, but not limited to, glucose monitoring strips, newborn screening tests, ultrasounds and genetic testing
- Consultations with other doctors, including OB’s, perinatologists or pediatricians
- Medical services, if deemed necessary for hospital transport
- Rhogam Shot (Rh-Negative Mothers only) and Rh testing
WHAT IF I NEED A HOSPITAL?
Wherever your baby decides to enter the world, we’ll be by your side advocating your wishes and wellbeing.
As a midwives, we are passionate about supporting you to birth with spaciousness and ease wherever that may be. We are specialized in low risk births, and trained to diagnose higher risk births that need more support from a doctor or a hospital.
After taking care of your hospital transfer, our role becomes that of trusted advocate, ally, guide and friend. We will staying with you until after your baby is born, though all final decisions regarding your medical care will be made by you and the hospital staff.
PLEASE NOTE
Covid-19 precautions mean that some elements of our package are not available, and many in-person visits will be virtual. Contact us for the most current modifications.
- There will be no refund of fees if the actual delivery does not occur at home
- Regardless of where you deliver, we will be there for all postpartum visits.
- We recommend contacting your insurance carrier to find out which doctors accept your insurance for both emergent and non-emergent care
WHAT ARE YOUR BILLING OPTIONS?
PAYMENT PLANS:
Payment plans are available upon request, and must be established no later than the first prenatal visit. There is an initial non-refundable deposit, which reserves on-call services for the month you are due. Depending how far along you are, the remaining balance shall be divided in equal payments to be paid in full by your 35th week of pregnancy.
PRIVATE INSURANCE BILLING
As a service to our clients, we contract with EarthSide Billing. If you want to bill your insurance, you must contact EarthSide to complete the steps for Verification of Benefits. We recommend doing this early in your pregnancy.
DO YOU TAKE CREDIT CARDS?
Yes!
GO AHEAD … ASK US ANYTHING
We’re always here to help
303 Potrero St, #47-201
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(p) 831-332-3075
(f) 831-603-3644
HELPING SANTA CRUZ FAMILIES SINCE 1986
When planning a homebirth, it is so important to have a capable and comforting midwife by your side. Kara is exactly this. During our pre-natal visits, she listened carefully to my questions and concerns and made sure I had all the information I needed to make the right decisions for my and my baby’s care. Her warm personality made our visits so enjoyable and I always looked forward to them.
For my birth, she created a relaxed, safe space and helped me to feel confident in myself. My labor was very slow going and eventually I had to transfer to Dominican hospital, but having Kara by my side helped me to make that transition as smoothly as possible and keep me reassured.
Despite not having the homebirth I had hoped for, I felt like my birth went as well as it possibly could have done, and my baby and I were (and still are) 100% happy and healthy. Kara was integral to my positive birth experience and choosing her as my midwife was the best decision I could have made. I can’t recommend her highly enough!
Victoria, Bobby and Baby Alexander
Sharon,
From the moment I met you I knew my birth experience would be perfect. I instantly had a trust and bond with you. Everything you have done for me and Keith was amazing. I am so lucky to have found you. What a different experience I would have had at the hospital, right? You gave me the most beautiful birth story and I wouldn’t have done it any other way! I can’t wait for the second now.
Rachel
Dear, Dear,Dear, Dear, Dear, Dear, Dear, Aunty Sharon Midwife,
When where you born? Did you have a midwife to catch you? Thank you for Catching Cian. Thank you for catching me. Why did I go first?
All the best.
Miraw
a three year old girl
It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you. Since the day we met, we knew it was a perfect match to work with you. We appreciate your care, thoughtfulness, humor, and professionalism. Thank you so much for helping to give our family a beautiful beginning!
Naraya, Elio, & Oa
J, Grayce & I have been so fortunate with our circle of friends and feel super lucky to have found you! You were a big source of inspiration to me and I thank you! I hope we continue to share life and children together in the years to come.
Dana, J, Grayce & Julia
I want to thank you again for all the help with bringing Kiahna into the world. You have been a blessing in my life!
Harmony
Thanks for everything. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Sonia
Thank you so much for helping us bring our baby into the world! Your calm, upbeat presence was exactly what we needed. We appreciate everything you did for us and are eternally grateful for your assistance.
Kai
You are the best midwife ever! You guided us towards a fabulous team, you gave us medical advice when we needed it and counseled us when that was needed. You provided us with the full spectrum of health care from homeopathics to western … all with a big dose of love. You are so incredibly skilled at what you do and we are forever thankful of your help bringing our baby into this world. We hope to see you next time around.
Rachel & Beau
We just wanted to say thank you for being such an incredible midwife! We really appreciate the care you gave me and the baby. Not to mention the way you included our 3 year old in the whole process. She loves you so much. We feel you went above and beyond. We all love and will miss seeing you. Thank you for helping us get our perfect birth. What an amazing birth story I have!
Keep in touch! Much Love and Respect.
Michelle & Brian
Thanks you again for helping our family have a wonderful home birth!
My daughter asked me if she can be a midwife when she grows up and if I will be her assistant. We will always remember you and always appreciate you! We love you!
Selena
Thank you, thank you! What would I have done without you? It was so incredibly amazing of you to show up for us in such an incredibly supportive way. You are an awesome midwife and we were very fortunate to have you.
Alana
