Home Birth FAQ
Birthstone Women's Wellness · Midwifery Care
Home Birth Frequently
Asked Questions
Real answers to the questions families ask most often about home birth, midwifery care, safety, VBAC, water birth, insurance, and what to expect when working with Tayna.
Still have a question that is not answered here? Call or text us — we love talking through these things.
Safety & Candidacy
Is home birth safe?
For healthy, low-risk pregnancies, planned home birth with a Licensed Midwife is a safe option. Research consistently shows that outcomes for low-risk families planning home birth with a licensed midwife are comparable to hospital birth — with lower rates of certain interventions. Care includes thorough ongoing screening, continuous monitoring during labor, and clear protocols for when hospital care is the right choice. Your safety and your baby's safety are always the priority.
Who is a good candidate for home birth?
Home birth is best suited for families with healthy, low-risk pregnancies. This generally includes single, term pregnancies in a head-down position with no significant pregnancy complications and no major maternal health conditions that would require hospital-level monitoring. We carefully review your complete health history at the initial consultation and continue to assess your candidacy throughout your prenatal care — not just at the beginning. If your pregnancy situation changes, we discuss what that means for your plan together.
What happens if I need to transfer to the hospital?
Hospital transfer is a normal part of responsible midwifery practice — not a failure. If a transfer becomes the safest option at any point during labor or after birth, we make that decision together based on clear clinical findings. Care is coordinated with the receiving hospital, your midwife remains present and involved throughout the transfer process, and you are supported through the transition with the same care and respect you have received throughout your pregnancy. We discuss transfer protocols in detail during prenatal care so you know exactly what to expect if it becomes necessary.
What emergency equipment do you bring to a birth?
Every birth includes a full set of emergency equipment — oxygen, neonatal resuscitation equipment, medications to manage postpartum hemorrhage, IV supplies, and all other standard midwifery emergency equipment. A licensed birth assistant is also present at every birth to assist with both maternal and newborn care. We are prepared for emergencies while doing everything possible to prevent them.
Prenatal Care
What does prenatal care include?
Prenatal care includes regular visits from early pregnancy through birth, with monitoring of both your health and your baby's growth and wellbeing at every visit. This includes lab work and screening coordination, ultrasound referrals, nutrition and wellness guidance, birth planning, and personalized education throughout your pregnancy. Visits are significantly longer than standard OB appointments — allowing real time for questions, education, and building the relationship that makes birth support effective. See our prenatal care page for full details.
How often do prenatal visits happen?
Prenatal visit frequency follows an evidence-based schedule: monthly until 28 weeks, every two weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly from 36 weeks until birth. Each visit is extended and in-depth. You also have direct access to your midwife for questions and concerns between visits.
When should I schedule my first visit?
Ideally between 8 and 12 weeks, though we welcome families at any stage of pregnancy. The sooner you start, the more time we have to build the relationship and monitor your pregnancy thoroughly. If you are further along and considering a switch to midwifery care, reach out — we are happy to discuss what that looks like for your specific situation.
Will I also see an OB during my pregnancy?
Most families receive all their prenatal care through their midwife. For specific screenings, ultrasounds, or specialist consultations, we coordinate referrals to appropriate providers. If a situation arises that requires OB co-management, we facilitate that relationship and maintain continuity of care.
Labor & Birth
Will you stay with me during labor?
Yes. Once active labor is established, your midwife provides continuous labor support in your home — monitoring both you and your baby, providing physical comfort support, answering questions, and guiding you through every stage of labor and birth. You are not left alone. This is one of the fundamental differences between midwifery and standard hospital care, where your nurse may be covering multiple patients simultaneously.
Who else is present at the birth?
A licensed birth assistant — who is also a licensed midwife — is present at every birth to assist with your care and your baby's immediate care after birth. You can also have whatever support people matter most to you: your partner, family members, a doula, a photographer, or whomever you want present. This is your birth and your home.
What happens immediately after my baby is born?
Immediately after birth, your baby is placed on your chest for skin-to-skin bonding while your midwife and birth assistant monitor both of you closely. A complete head-to-toe newborn neurological and physical exam is performed. Immediate breastfeeding support is provided. Postpartum care continues until both you and your baby are stable, vital signs are normal, bleeding is well-controlled, and you feel settled and ready for your midwife to leave. This typically takes two to four hours after birth.
What about pain management during labor?
At home birth, epidural analgesia is not available — this is an important consideration. Your midwife provides support through non-pharmacological pain management including hydrotherapy, positioning, massage, counter-pressure, movement, and emotional support. Many families find laboring in their own environment — and particularly in water — provides significant comfort. Being able to move freely, change positions, and labor at your own pace also makes a meaningful difference. We discuss pain management options and coping strategies thoroughly during prenatal care.
What happens to the placenta after birth?
You have options. The placenta can be kept, stored, released, or handled according to your preferences and wishes. We discuss this during prenatal care. If you are interested in placenta encapsulation, we can provide referrals to encapsulation services.
VBAC & Water Birth
Do you support VBAC?
Yes. VBAC — vaginal birth after cesarean — is supported for appropriate candidates. VBAC eligibility depends on a number of factors including the type and number of prior cesarean incisions, the indication for the previous cesarean, your current pregnancy, and your overall health. We review your history thoroughly at the initial consultation and discuss what VBAC candidacy looks like for your specific situation. ACOG recognizes VBAC as a safe and appropriate option for many families, and we strongly support families in accessing this choice when they meet the criteria.
Do you offer water birth?
Yes. Water birth is available for families who meet appropriate clinical criteria, and is discussed and planned during prenatal care. Many families find laboring and birthing in water to be a significantly more comfortable experience — the buoyancy supports movement, the warmth aids relaxation, and many people report that the transition from womb to water is gentler for babies. If water birth is something you are interested in, we discuss what that involves and whether it is appropriate for your pregnancy.
Do I need to rent or buy a birth pool?
If you are planning a water birth or laboring in water, a birth pool is needed. We can provide guidance on rental and purchase options during prenatal care and help you find a pool that fits your space. Many families also use large soaking tubs if their bathroom accommodates it. We will discuss the specifics during your prenatal visits.
Postpartum & Newborn Care
What does postpartum care include?
Postpartum care includes in-home visits for both you and your baby at 24–72 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after birth. Each visit includes maternal physical assessment, newborn assessment and weight check, feeding support, mental health awareness and screening, and time for all your questions. Your baby receives the newborn metabolic screen and CCHD screening as part of your care. See our postpartum care page for full details.
Do you help with breastfeeding?
Yes — breastfeeding and feeding support are included as part of your postpartum midwifery care. For families who need more intensive lactation support, Birthstone Women's Wellness also offers dedicated lactation consultations through our Murrieta office or via telehealth throughout California. Our lactation services are billed separately and covered by most insurance plans. See our lactation support page for details.
When do I transition to a pediatrician?
Your baby transitions to pediatrician care typically around or shortly after the 2-week visit, depending on your baby's growth and health trajectory. We assist with pediatrician referrals and can help coordinate the transition to ensure continuity of care for your newborn. Many families have a pediatrician identified before birth — we encourage you to interview and select one during your pregnancy.
Do you recommend having a doula?
Yes, and we actively work with doulas. Midwifery care focuses on clinical safety and monitoring — a doula provides continuous emotional and physical labor support that complements but does not replace midwifery care. Through our partnership with SoCal Doulas, we can connect you with experienced doulas who accept insurance, including Medi-Cal. See our doula services page for more information.
Insurance & Pricing
What does the initial consultation cost?
The initial consultation is $250. This is a comprehensive 60–90 minute visit covering your full health history, pregnancy review, birth goals, risk assessment, lab coordination, and all your questions. It is also the visit where we get to know each other and determine together whether home birth midwifery care is the right fit for your family.
What do follow-up visits cost?
All visits after the initial consultation — including all prenatal visits, your birth attendance, and all postpartum and newborn visits — are $200 per visit for cash-pay patients. Medi-Cal members are billed directly to Medi-Cal at no cost to the patient. See our pricing and insurance page for complete details and what is included in each visit.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept Medi-Cal directly. IEHP direct billing is coming soon — if you are an IEHP member, contact us and we will add you to our notification list. We do not currently bill other insurance plans directly, but are actively working to expand our insurance acceptance. Cash pay is welcome for all visits.
What if I have IEHP?
IEHP direct billing is coming soon. If you are an IEHP member interested in home birth midwifery care, please call or text us at (760) 264-4077 — we will add you to our list and be in touch as soon as we begin accepting IEHP. In the meantime, we can discuss cash-pay options.
Getting Started
How do I know if home birth is right for me?
The initial consultation is specifically designed to help you answer this question. You do not need to have made a decision before you contact us. Many families come in still weighing their options — and that is exactly what the consultation is for. We review your health history, discuss your goals, answer every question you have, and give you the information you need to make a fully informed decision. There is no pressure and no expectation.
Where is your office located?
Prenatal and postpartum visits take place at our office inside New Life Ultrasound — 39825 Alta Murrieta Drive, Suite B8, Murrieta, CA 92563. Birth and postpartum visits occur in your home. We serve families throughout Southwest Riverside County including Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Fallbrook, Winchester, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, and Hemet.
How do I get started?
Schedule a consultation online or call or text us at (760) 264-4077. We will set up your initial consultation, answer any questions you have before the visit, and get the paperwork started. The first step is simply reaching out.
I still have questions that are not answered here.
Please reach out. We genuinely love these conversations and there is no question too small or too complicated. Call or text us at (760) 264-4077, or contact us through our website. If you prefer to talk through your questions before committing to an initial consultation, that is completely fine — we are happy to have a brief phone conversation first.
Still have questions?
We love hearing from you.
Call or text (760) 264-4077 — or schedule your initial consultation and we will answer everything in person. There is no question too small.