COVID-19 Homebirth FAQ 

General Questions

  • Why do families choose a home birth?

There are many reasons that people choose to birth at home. Many families prior to the pandemic have felt that home is a safe place to birth, where they are less likely to experience unnecessary medical interventions. People appreciate the greater sense of control and agency, the respect for their choices, and the emphasis on a family-centered experience. Currently, people are also choosing home birth in order to avoid potential contact with COVID-19 in hospital settings, because of restrictions on who can attend their births, and because of the risk of being separated from their newborns.

  • Is it too late to transfer to a home birth? 

Per NJ regulations, NJ licensed midwives can accept “late transfer” clients until 36 weeks of pregnancy. State regulations prohibit us from accepting clients after that point. Contact individual midwifery practices to find out whether they have availability.

  • Are you able to do an epidural at home?

No, NJ licensed midwives do not carry medications that reduce the sensations of labor. Instead, we encourage movement, rest, laboring in the shower or tub, and other techniques that can aid you in labor.

  • Am I a good candidate for home birth?

Home birth is safe for low-risk, healthy pregnancies. The following is a list of some things that may help you understand if you are a good candidate, but this should not be considered an exhaustive list.

  • You have made the informed choice to birth at home, understanding the risks and benefits to home birth

  • You are pregnant with a single baby

  • The baby is head down at term

  • You give birth between 37 and 42 weeks pregnant

  • You have no serious medical conditions, such as: heart disease, kidney disease, blood clotting disorders, type I diabetes, gestational diabetes managed with insulin, preeclampsia, or bleeding

  • You do not have placenta previa at the beginning of labor

  • You do not have active genital herpes

  • You do not have an active COVID-19 infection

  • You have not had a previous cesarean section (while we strongly support the right of pregnant people to have a VBAC, state regulations prohibit us from attending a VBAC at home)

Costs & Insurance Questions

  • How much will it cost to transfer care to a home birth midwife in New Jersey?

At this time, the midwifery community of New Jersey is offering a discounted rate of $5000. This rate applies to “late transfers”, whose due dates are in April and May. Individual midwives will give you their rates for births beyond this late transfer period. Individual midwifery practices may offer discounted rates for families with Medicaid or under certain circumstances.

  • Do midwives offer payment plans?

You will need to discuss payment details with individual midwifery practices.

  • Do you work with insurance?

Home birth midwifery practices are considered out-of-network providers with New Jersey-based insurance companies. Each insurance company and plan is different. Many midwives work with billing services who can help you determine whether you are eligible for reimbursement. Expect to pay your midwife out of pocket, and then seek reimbursement from your insurance company.

  • Are there any additional expenses?

Yes - your midwife will ask you to purchase a birth kit that includes all the supplies that you need for a home birth, usually between $30-$80 (the cost varies depending on what sorts of supplies you specifically need. For example, if you are planning a water birth there may be fees associated with renting a birth tub, purchasing a tub liner, etc). You may also be responsible for the cost of additional medications or medical screening that you opt for. You can ask your midwife to list any expenses not covered by insurance when you speak with them.

Wellness & Safety

  • How are home birth midwives providing care during COVID-19? 

New Jersey licensed midwives are following CDC protocols by offering all free consultations via Zoom, the majority of prenatal appointments offered virtually, and limiting in-person care physically seeing clients where it is appropriate and possible. Midwives see clients in-person consistently at 36 weeks until birth. You can direct specific questions regarding safety protocols to individual midwifery practices.

  • Can I have support people at my birth? In the postpartum?

Yes, generally midwives continue to encourage support during birth, but we strongly recommend that it be limited to one person. This is for your safety as well as for the safety of your midwife and the other families that they serve. Midwives are also trying to limit the number of people that we interact with during postpartum appointments, even as we acknowledge the importance of postpartum support.

  • What if I want or need to transfer back to hospital-based care?

There are a number of scenarios that may arise where a birthing person transports from home to hospital for their care, either during pregnancy, during labor, or after the baby is born. During pregnancy, transfer of care is important if someone has a medical issue that makes their birth safer in the hospital, such as a hypertensive disorder like preeclampsia, which can arise late in pregnancy. During labor, scenarios can include: the birthing person’s preference (for example, for pain management offered only in the hospital setting), non-emergent transfer of care (for example, if someone is having a very long labor and desires an epidural and rest), and scenarios that necessitate a quicker transfer. While we are strongly committed to home birth, safety is our priority. When working with a midwife, you and your midwife create a plan ahead of time if you needed to transfer, and should the need arise, they would provide the hospital with your medical records. During this time, we are not able to physically be present with our clients during transfer of care to a medical provider, but midwives continue to support clients over the phone and in-person for regular postpartum care.