Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)?
A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is a nationally credentialed provider who specializes in caring for healthy, low-risk women and newborns, most often in home or birth center settings. CPMs are the only midwives in the U.S. whose training is specifically centered on out-of-hospital birth, with strong emphasis on hands-on clinical experience and ongoing education through the North American Registry of Midwives. Within the larger maternity care system, CPMs focus on relationship-based, individualized care for low-risk families who desire a more natural approach to birth. Certified Nurse-Midwives are also midwives, but with nursing training, and they most often practice in hospital settings. OB/GYNs are physicians who specialize in surgery and higher-risk or more complex pregnancies. All of these roles matter—we simply serve families in different ways, and I collaborate or refer when a higher level of care is needed. |
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Is home birth legal?
Yes, it is legal for you to give birth in your own home. Certified Professional Midwives and Certified Nurse Midwives are licsensed providers in the sate of Kentucky and able to attend home births. |
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Is home birth safe?
The safety of home birth has been well studied. The well done studies concluded that home birth attended by a trained, competent midwife is safe for low risk women. I encourage you to look into the reserach yourself. You can see a large scale study here. |
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Is home birth messy?
Not as much as you may think! You will prepare for a home bith by putting some plastic over your mattress and we supply you with underpads that we use during the birth to protect your floor and/or furniture from fluids. When the pads don't quiet do it, hydrogen peroxide does the job. We typically try to spot clean and throw a load of laundry on before we leave after your birth. |
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Do you offer water birth?
Yes! You can currently rent a birth pool from Home Sweet Home. You will need to purchase a disposable liner, but we typically have those in stock as well. Alternatively, you can purchase your own pool or sometimes use your bathtub if it is deep enough. Because depth matters, I strongly recommend waiting to purchase your own birth pool until after you've consulted with us. |
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"I'm XX weeks pregnant, is it too late to switch to a home birth?"
We do accept late transfers, so long we are are not booked up for your due date or you're already in labor. |
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"How much does home birth cost? Do you take our insurance?"
The full cost of care and everything that’s included is outlined on this page. At this time, I’m not able to accept insurance for my midwifery services. However, the lab I use can bill your insurance directly for any lab work I order and collect. I also do my best to refer you to ultrasound facilities that accept your insurance whenever possible. |
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"Is there a discount for late-to-care transfers?"
No, my fee remains the same regardless of when you enter care. My pricing reflects my expertise, on-call availability, and the full scope of midwifery care, not just the number of prenatal visits. Even if you transfer late, I must still review your medical records, assess your care plan, and prepare for your birth, all of which require significant time and responsibility. Additionally, I limit my client load each month to ensure I can provide safe, personalized care. For transfers at 32 weeks or later, I require weekly visits and a minimum of four prenatal visits before birth (if possible) to ensure you receive adequate preparation. For a full explanation, read my blog post here: Why My Fee Remains the Same for Late-to-Care Transfers. |
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Do you attend Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)?
So long as you have only 1 previous cesarean and there is at least 18 months between your cesarean and your due date. An ultrasound for placental location is required for those with a previous cesarean. There may be other factors to consider, so please reach out for a free consultation. |
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I just found out I'm pregnant! When can I see you and how often will I see you?
We typically see clients for their first visit between 10-12 weeks. We can and will see you sooner if you desire or need an early ultrasound. After that, we follow the same standard scheudle of prenatal care that most maternity care providers use. Starting out, we see you every 4 weeks until 30 weeks. Then we see you every 2 weeks until 36 weeks. After that, we see you once a week until you give birth. You can expect approximately 5 postpartum visits, the first 24-72 hours after birth and the last between 5 and 6 weeks. |
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When do I need to take my baby to the pediatrician?
We recommend to start seeing your pediatrician when your baby is 2 months old unless there is a problem. We do all the newborn exam and tests that are normally performed in the hospital aport from the hearing screen, which does not need to be done immediately. We will send you paperwork to take with you to the peidatrician so they will have a copy of their medical records since birth. |
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I live in an apartment/RV/small house, can I have a home birth?
Yes! We have attended many home births in apartments or small spaces. If the walls are thin and you have close neighbors (apartments, RV parks, etc.), then you may want to warn your neighbors. Otherwise, it's the same as any other home birth. |
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Are you licensed/certified?
I am Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) licensed Kentucky (LCPM) and Tennesse (CPM-TN). I graduated from my MEAC accredited program in December 2024 with a Bachelors of Science in Midwifery (BSM). I am also a certified birth doula through Birth Arts International (BAI). I also trained with BAI as a Postpartum Doula, as a Birth & Bereavement Doula through Still Birth Day, and a Birth Coach through Birth Coach Method. |
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Are you a doula?
No. While I was originally trained and certified as a doula, I now practice as a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), which is a licensed medical provider role. Doulas provide non-medical support during pregnancy and birth through education, encouragement, advocacy, and comfort measures. Midwives also offer emotional and hands-on support, but we additionally provide clinical care and medical decision-making throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn care. As your midwife, I monitor the health of both mother and baby, check vital signs and fetal heart tones, order and draw labs, carry emergency equipment and medications, and guide you through informed medical decisions while supporting the natural birth process. |
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Do I need a doula if I have you?
I strongly encourage it when possible. While my attention is divided between supporting you emotionally and physically and monitoring the clinical wellbeing of both mother and baby, a doula is there solely to focus on your comfort and support throughout labor. Having an extra support person dedicated to things like positioning, counter pressure, encouragement, hydration, and helping create a calm environment can be incredibly valuable during birth. |
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What area do you serve?
I am located in Corbin, KY and my primary service area is the Tri-County area of Whitley, Knox, and Laurel counties. However, I'll travel up to a 90 minute radius from Corbin. |
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Do you take payment plans?
Yes, most clients make payments throughout the course of their pregnancy. The fee inclues all prenatal and postpartum care as well as the birth and assistant's fee. The fee does not include lab tests, ultrasounds, or care given by other providers. |
