FAQs
Why Choose A Midwife?
Will my Insurance Company Cover A Midwife?
What If I Have No Health Insurance?
Is Birthing Outside the Hospital Safe?
What Happens In An Emergency?
Is Waterbirth An Option?
Can I Come to the Greenbank women’s clinic and birth center for my
annual exams? What Other Services Are Available?
Yes, We’re Planning a Home Birth with a Midwife by Penny Simkin (pdf)
Why Choose A Midwife?
A midwife is recognized throughout the world as the most appropriate maternity care provider for most women. Midwives are specialists in normal reproductive care. During their education, midwives become experts in normal pregnancy, birth and newborn care. The modern midwife is trained to recognize abnormal conditions and refer to the appropriate provider.
As a Washington State Licensed Midwife, I have assisted over 1100 families with their births. I believe strongly in a non-interventive approach to birth. I believe a woman's body is the best midwife and knows, with very few exceptions, the way to give birth that is right for her.
Midwives worldwide have an excellent record of safety with numerous studies showing midwifery care leading to excellent outcomes. In the five nations with the lowest infant mortality rates and lowest rates of technological intervention, midwives attend 70 percent of all births without a physician in the birth room.
I have been privileged, over the last 20 years, to develop good relationships with providers all over the state. I refer when appropriate and my cesarean section rate is very low. I typically spent an hour with every woman at each prenatal visit, making sure to cover topics such as prenatal nutrition and emotional aspects of pregnancy. I am committed to remaining with women throughout the labor process, not coming in at the end to "catch" the baby.
The United States and Canada are the only countries in the world where midwives are not the main providers of maternity care. However, in both countries, the number of midwifery attended births is growing rapidly. The World Health Organization and the International Childbirth Education Association recommend that healthy pregnant women seek out midwives as their maternity care providers.
I am pleased to welcome you in for a free “meet and greet” to ask your questions, visit the birthing center and meet me personally. I have an office in Anacortes, Washington where I see clients every Tuesday. If you don't know your choices, you don't have any! Look into the midwifery option for you and your family.
Will my Insurance Company Cover A Midwife?
The Greenbank Women’s Clinic and Birth Center is covered by all major insurance companies. We are preferred providers with Regence Blue Shield, Premera and Group Health. We ask you get verification of coverage from your insurance company before starting care. It is important that your insurance covers payment to licensed midwives. You are responsible for your deductible as well as any non-covered services. It is advisable to find out what your financial responsibilities are. A payment plan will be worked out and payments can be made over the course of your care.
What If I Have No Health Insurance?
Midwifery care and out of hospital birth is typically one third of the cost of a hospital birth with an obstetrician. We are willing to work with you in any way we can to help you pay for your care. A payment plan will be worked out with you. You will be billed on a monthly basis and are expected to make your payments in a timely fashion. If for any reason you have a problem with payment during the course of your care, it is your responsibility to contact us immediately. Non-payment will result in your care being terminated.
Is Birthing Outside the Hospital Safe?
Yes, numerous well designed studies have shown that out of hospital births, with well
trained and well equipped attendants are as safe as hospital births. The studies linked here
are the most recent to show the safety of midwifery care in out of hospital settings.
DOH Cost Benefit Analysis (summary on the MAWS web site)
Increased Utilization of Licensed Midwives Improves Outcomes and Decreases Maternity Care Costs.
Download a pdf of the full report.
McMaster University study on home birth
What Happens In An Emergency?
The GWCBC staff is equipped with emergency medications, fetal monitoring, oxygen and resuscitation equipment. These will be used while you or your baby are being transferred to a higher level of care. Midwives do not do cesarean sections, forceps deliveries or offer pain medication during labor. Situations requiring these interventions require transport to the hospital. While most midwives have low cesarean section rates, compared to the national average of 33%, cesarean sections and/or other medical interventions are possibilities for any woman having a baby. These are rarely emergencies and generally occur only after labor has been going on long enough to determine that birth is unlikely to occur normally.
Is Waterbirth An Option?
Yes! Waterbirth has been an option for many years. There is a large tub at the birth
center and we also have a rental tub for homebirths. Here are some good resources for
waterbirth:
Waterbirth International
AquaDoula
Can I Come to the Greenbank women’s clinic and birth center for my annual exams? What Other Services Are Available?
Yes, Leah Black, ARNP, CNM is available for well woman care during all stages of a woman’s life. From pre-teens to post menopausal women, she offers compassionate and holistic care. Her care includes birth control counseling and prescriptions; IUD insertions, well woman annual exams and many other services. Please contact our office for an appointment.
