Home Births:
Benefits, Tips & Pricing

Giving birth at home is a safe choice, according to the best international research. Homebirth babies have equally good perinatal mortality — risk of dying around the time of birth — compared to low-risk babies born in hospital. Homebirth mothers and babies have strikingly lower rates of medical procedures. Many aspects of home birth offer tremendous contributions to excellent medium and long-term outcomes as well.

Dr. Sarah Buckley, researcher and author of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

For centuries giving birth at home was the norm. By the 1900s increasing numbers of women in the United States started having their babies at hospitals. However, as our understanding of anatomy, modern medicine, the mechanics of childbirth, and technology have significantly increased, more women have been considering the option of having a home birth.
This option involves the participation of trained midwives or nurse-midwives in cases of low-risk, healthy pregnancies. As interest in home birth increases, the number of studies will continue to grow to provide us with a greater understanding of the related risks and benefits.

EXCERPTED FROM THE AMERICAN PREGNANCY ASSN. WEBSITE

Home birth may be an option for you if:

  • You are having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy

  • You desire hydrotherapy for pain relief and/or a waterbirth

  • You want to avoid an episiotomy, cesarean section, epidural and other similar interventions

  • You want to share the experience with family and friends

  • You want to be free to move around, change positions, take a shower, and eat or drink freely during labor

  • You want to enjoy the comforts of your home and familiar surroundings

Home birth
is not for you if:

  • You are diabetic

  • You have chronic high blood pressure, or develop preeclampsia during pregnancy

  • You have experienced preterm labor in the past, or are at risk for preterm labor now

  • Your partner does not fully support your decision to give birth at home.

  • Your baby is presenting in a position other than headfirst

  • Abnormal cord insertion or problems with the placenta

  • You are expecting multiples (twin/triplet pregnancy)

  • You have had more than one cesarean delivery with no vaginal birth, it has been less than 18 months since you have had a cesarean delivery, or you have had a classical (vertical) surgical incision

Some of the reasons women are transferred:

  • The mother feels exhausted or desires pain relief such as an epidural

  • High blood pressure

  • No progress with labor

  • Fetal distress

  • Cord prolapse

  • Hemorrhage

Tips When Considering a Home Birth

  • Write out a Plan B in case a hospital transfer is necessary

  • Hire a doula

  • Childbirth education classes - preparation and education are your keys to success!

Expect to budget

$7,000

We offer a comprehensive care package including birth attandance and all prenatal and postpartum visits, newborn care and screenings, prenatal supplements, in-home lactation support with an IBCLC lactation consultant, the birth assistant fee, routine labwork, and incidentals such as RhoGAM

 

Home birth offers a significant savings over hospital birth. In South Dakota, Christian health sharing plans are a great option for coverage of home birth and midwifery services. Most traditional insurance companies in our state do not cover home birth services, but calling to let them know you desire this option may help to make it an option for families eventually. We do not bill insurance or health share companies, but an official superbill will be provided for reimbursement purposes.

*Birth pool rental and doula services are available but not included in the package fee. A discount is applied for childbirth class attendance. Formal ultrasounds are billed separately by the providing facility.

Payment plans are set up to make the cost manageable. You may use , cash, check, Venmo, or your HSA or credit card to pay for services.

Announcing Black Hills Midwifery gift cards! These can be gifted to a special home birth client to help pay for prenatal & postpartum visits or the birth fee. Because more babies prefer home birth.