Answers to the questions families most often ask about home birth midwifery care, safety, logistics, postpartum support, and what care with Grace Midwifery Collective actually looks like.
If you do not see your question here, reach out. We are happy to talk through your individual situation.
Midwifery care is not just a list of appointments. It is a relationship-centered model built around time, trust, informed choice, and attentive support for both parent and baby.
A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a knowledgeable, skilled, and professional primary maternity care provider who offers expert care, education, counseling, and support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. In Louisiana, CPMs must be licensed by the state board, allowing them to carry and administer medication and integrate into the standing healthcare system.
Yes and no. In Louisiana, clients must see an OB for an initial risk assessment — including health history, initial lab work, ultrasound, and/or physical exam — to identify you as low risk and healthy. After this clearance, you no longer need OB care unless your risk status changes.
Low-risk, healthy birthing people are candidates for out-of-hospital birth. We invite you to contact us about your individual situation — every pregnancy is unique and we're happy to discuss yours.
The investment for Grace Midwifery Collective care is $3,500–$6,500. We understand that midwifery care is an investment and we do not want anyone's birthing experience to be determined by their ability to pay out of pocket. Contact us to discuss options.
Yes! We are able to bill as out-of-network providers. We offer a complimentary verification of benefits to help you explore coverage, out-of-pocket costs, and reimbursement timelines. Our Provider Code is 340. Cost-share/healthcare companies usually pay 100% of our fee.
Visit frequency increases as your due date approaches: every 4 weeks to 28 weeks, every 2 weeks from 28–36 weeks, weekly from 36–41 weeks, and every 2–3 days from 41–42 weeks. Each visit lasts 45–60 minutes. See the Midwifery Care page for a full overview.
During labor, midwives monitor your baby's heartbeat frequently and discreetly while maintaining your hydration, nutrition, and rest. We have a midwife and trained birth assistant at every birth following carefully researched protocols. We carry pitocin, IV fluids, oxygen, and resuscitation equipment, and are certified in Neonatal Resuscitation and CPR. We have relationships with community hospitals and facilitate smooth transfers in the rare cases where they're needed.
We are unable to offer TOLAC/VBAC birthing care in Louisiana due to state law. Please contact us to discuss your options.
Absolutely! Doulas offer continuous 1:1 emotional and physical support during labor and perfectly complement midwifery care. We especially recommend a doula for any person birthing outside of the hospital for the first time.
All standard maternity labs are offered and available with Grace Midwifery Collective — the same tests you'd receive in a physician's office.
Birthing at home is like bringing the birth center to you. Midwives bring all necessary equipment to monitor vitals, assess wellbeing, and manage complications — including a professional birthing tub. Near the end of pregnancy, you'll be instructed to purchase a birth kit (~$115) for disposable items.
We believe it is your right to have whomever you desire at your birth. We highly recommend these people be there as support, not spectators. If attendees don't share the same values about the safety of home birth, we recommend reconsidering their attendance.
Yes — we believe in physiological third stage. We "wait for white," until the cord stops pulsing, or until you request it. We only intervene in the case of a true emergency.
Yes, our team files the birth certificate within the state-required timeframe.
One of the greatest benefits of having a midwife for your unmedicated birth is that we have helped hundreds of people do this. We have trust in you, your body, and your baby — and the skills to help. We know you can cope with the discomfort of normal labor. We request that all first-time home birthers take a childbirth education class and/or hire a doula.
Yes! We love water birth and offer birthing tubs in your home at no additional fee. Our team is trained in the nuance of waterbirth and is supportive of both water immersion for labor and for birth.
Follow-up visits for you and your baby are arranged through 6 weeks. These visits review nutrition, baby wearing, sibling and family adjustment, emotions, physical changes, feeding, and more!
We're always happy to chat. Reach out and let's find the answers together.
Contact Us