Is home birth safe?

“Birth is as safe as life gets,” said birth photographer Harriette Hartigan and for most healthy women, that’s true. When a well-nourished, low-risk pregnant woman chooses home birth with a licensed midwife, birth is not only safe, it’s often safer.

Midwives Bay Area home births have outcomes comparable to hospital births in similar populations, with significantly fewer interventions. We’re talking fewer inductions, fewer episiotomies, fewer C-sections. In fact, our C-section rate year by year, hovers around 15% - half that of the national average which continues to climb above 32%.

Birth is a physiological event not a medical emergency waiting to happen. With the right support, privacy, and presence, birth often unfolds like a deep breath or a passing storm. No bright lights, no strangers, no unnecessary interventions, just you, your baby, and the rhythm of something ancient.

Bonus truth: Interventions like induction and cesarean come with real risks, some short-term, some lifelong. Ask your OB if hospital birth is safe for you.

Is home birth messy?

Honestly? Not really. Your birth kit contains everything to keep your home tidy—chux pads, underpads, clean-up supplies—and we leave your home just as we found it (plus one baby richer). We’ll even start a load of laundry, take out the trash, and straighten up before we leave.

Who qualifies for a home birth?

If you’re healthy, low-risk, and carrying a single baby in a head-down position at term, you’re likely a great candidate. We’ll review your full health history during our initial visit.

Do I need a doula, too?

You don’t need one, but we love doulas. They offer emotional and physical support that complements your midwife’s clinical role. We’re happy to connect you with experienced Bay Area doulas we trust.

Is home birth legal? Will I get a birth certificate?

Yes and yes. Midwifery is fully legal in California, and we are licensed by the California Medical Board. As Licensed Midwives (LMs), we provide all the documentation you’ll need to register your baby’s birth.

After your baby is born, we’ll walk you through the birth certificate process. You’ll take your paperwork to your local county's Department of Vital Statistics, and your baby’s official birth certificate will arrive in your mailbox within a few weeks.

How does payment work? Will my insurance cover it?

Home birth is often half the cost of a hospital birth—and far less when you consider the cost of interventions. Unlike hospitals, we don't bill you after the birth, adding up all the little things for a BIG bill, we have a flat fee that is agreed upon once we begin care. Payment in full is due by the time we go on call for you. We accept HSA's and FSA's. Don’t let finances stop you from exploring your options—just ask us.

Insurance? Most PPO plans do reimburse you something for out-of-hospital birth. HMO plans, Kaiser, and Medi-Cal usually do not. Luckily, we partner with a fantastic insurance biller, Earthside Billing, who can verify your benefits and help you file for reimbursement after the baby is, earthside.

What if something goes wrong? Will we go to the hospital?

Yes—and we’ll go quickly, safely, and with a plan already in place. Midwives are first responders for birth and well trained in handling birth complications and skilled at recognizing when hospital care is warranted. In California, licensed midwives are legally permitted to carry life-saving medications and emergency equipment.