Frequently Asked Questions
Who can have a homebirth in Arizona?
Homebirth is safest for low-risk women and babies. Most pregnancies are low risk. How much money you make, the size of your home, or how old you are does not determine your eligibility for homebirth. Midwives in Arizona are licensed under the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS). https://azdhs.gov/licensing/special/midwives/index.php AZDHS defines low-risk pregnancies. There are a few medical conditions that exclude someone from being low risk. We would be happy to discuss these with you. In general, women who are in good health with no pre-existing or pregnancy-related medical risk factors, are ideal candidates for home birth.
Women who take the initiative and responsibility to educate themselves about pregnancy, nutrition, childbirth, newborn care, and breastfeeding.
Women who take excellent care of their own body physically, emotionally, and spiritually to the best of their ability.
Women who take responsibility for their health during pregnancy so they continue to be a low-risk candidates for home birth, and actively maintain a healthy pregnancy through nutrition, taking good quality supplements, exercise and body movement, and avoidance of harmful substances such as smoking, drugs, alcohol, toxins, etc.
Women who have a self-reliant attitude towards their own care during pregnancy and labor, and are willing to take full responsibility for their choices.
For more questions on homebirth, read this link to Evidence-Based Birth and feel free to email or call to set up a free 1-hour consultation. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/what-is-home-birth/
Is homebirth safe?
Low-risk women who plan homebirths with trained attendants have fewer interventions that result in a decreased risk to mothers and babies. The safety and benefits of midwifery care have been proven again and again in countries across the world, including here in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show that births attended by trained midwives have lower infection rates, lower cesarean section rates, much fewer complications, and healthier outcomes (resulting in lower overall costs) than physician-attended hospital births. In addition, there is no difference in infant mortality between midwife-attended and physician-attended births for low-risk women. The Netherlands, Sweden, and New Zealand, which have the best birth outcome statistics in the world, use midwives as their main maternity care providers. About 2/3 of all babies in these countries are born at home with midwives. For further reading, I recommend looking at Homebirth Safety Outcomes.
How soon can I find out if my baby is a boy or a girl?
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Learn more:
Frequently Asked Questions
How does SneakPeek work?
While every person has her own DNA in their bloodstream, a pregnant person’s bloodstream also contains DNA from the unborn child. SneakPeek looks for male chromosomes in a small sample of your blood. If male chromosomes are found, that means the baby is a boy. If none are found, it’s a girl. SneakPeek is 99.9% accurate at 6 weeks into pregnancy.
What is the SneakPeek process?
At SneakPeek Labs, a test process called non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is used to analyze cell-free fetal DNA. Starting with a small sample of your blood, plasma is separated from whole blood by centrifuge and extracted cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is analyzed for Y chromosomes, which are found only in males. The SneakPeek test is sensitive enough to find even a single Y chromosome, giving you confidence in your results.
I’ve previously had a boy. Will that skew my results? Clinical studies have shown that fetal DNA clears from the mom’s bloodstream between a few hours to 2 days after birth.
I’m having twins. Can SneakPeek determine fetal sex for each one? In the case of identical twins, if male DNA is found, then both babies are boys. If no male DNA is found, then both babies are girls. For fraternal twins (or more!), finding male DNA will confirm at least one baby is a boy, but cannot distinguish if the second is a boy or girl.
Is this test safe? SneakPeek Clinical is a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT), and it’s safe for both mom and baby.
How quickly can I get my results? Your blood sample is shipped to SneakPeek Labs via FedEx Priority Overnight shipping. Expect your result email between 4-8 pm Pacific Time the day your sample is received by SneakPeek.
Are results guaranteed?
SneakPeek Clinical is the most accurate early gender test on the market. If your test result does not match the gender of your newborn, you’ll receive a full refund.
How is my privacy protected? We know your DNA information is personal. To protect your privacy:
1. SneakPeek tests only for baby’s sex. No data is gathered about disease states or other health-related information.
2. After the test is run, your DNA sample is disposed of by a professional chemical management company in compliance with federal standards.
3. SneakPeek never shares your results with anyone other than the email address you provide. Where can I learn more? Visit www.sneakpeektest.com
What is the Midwives Model of Care?
The Midwives Model of Care is a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy and childbirth than contemporary obstetrics. Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during, and after birth. Midwives are health care professionals specializing in pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in confident, supported labor and birth. Midwives are trained to provide comprehensive prenatal care and education, guide labor and birth, address complications, and care for newborns. The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. The application of this woman-centered model has been proven to reduce to incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. The Midwives Model of Care includes:
monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
minimizing technological interventions
identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.
How do my beliefs about birth influence my health care decisions?
It is very important to know what your beliefs about birth and medical care are rooted in. Family stories, friends, and the media are probably the biggest influences. Many people have been taught to never question authority figures, such as medical providers. For many families, especially BIPOC families, medical and obstetric violence has caused such trauma that it’s been passed on from generation to generation. This trauma forever shapes and changes their relationship with their bodies and the birth process. These influences can cause you to have actual physical and mental reactions that influence your healthcare decisions. And let me say this loud and clear, they are your decisions to make. No one should ever take that away from you. Educating yourself every step of the way will help empower you to make truly informed choices. This can go a long way towards healing how you, your children, your family, and generations to come, see and relate to birth.
What do you do if there’s an emergency?
Studies continue to show that for women with normal, healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies, home birth with a skilled birth attendant is as safe, or safer, than hospital birth, with 90% of all births progressing normally, with no complications. However, there are risks involved in childbirth, no matter where it occurs, and no midwife can ever guarantee 100% safety. I am certified in both adult and infant CPR and carry equipment and medications to handle certain rare complications that can occur during birth. Midwives carefully monitor the well-being of the mother and the baby during labor and postpartum. With this careful monitoring and the limiting of unnecessary interventions, most of these complications and emergencies are avoided. If transport to the hospital is indicated during labor, we attempt to transfer the client to a trusted nurse-midwife or OB.
What about pain in labor?
There can be a great deal of fear associated with childbirth. With childbirth, understanding and preparation are key. Laboring in a familiar, safe place with people you know, love and trust can make a huge difference in managing pain. Having the support of a birth doula or companion skilled in continuous labor support can make a huge difference. Doulas have many tools and non-pharmacological methods of support. Taking a childbirth education class can help you and your support person understand what your mind, your body, and your baby are doing during labor and what tools can be used at each step.
If I have a midwife, do I need a doula for my homebirth?
For first time mothers or primary VBACs (first vaginal birth after cesarean birth) I recommend a doula for labor support. First time birthers and primary VBACs usually have longer labors and have more to work through. Having a doula there for support each step of the way, is critical to achieving the birth you desire. Studies have shown over and over that outcomes when doulas are supporting clients and their families. Once you are in active labor or transition, I provide some labor support services. However, in order to preserve a midwifes mental and physical energy, in order to make sure you and your baby are medically safe during active labor, birth, and postpartum, midwives do not offer continuous labor support in early labor.
Who can I have at my birth?
That is entirely up to you. If you already have children, they are welcome to be at the birth and we’ll talk throughout your care about how to structure that for success. Some people choose to have a doula, photographer, close friends, or family. Many people choose to just have the birth team and their partner. Whatever feels best right for you. We would be happy to help you figure that out as well. For some of my favorite birth professionals, you can look through my Recommended Resources page.
What is Skin-to-Skin and Baby/Parent bonding?
Skin-to-skin bonding is wonderful for both parents. It's a precious and magical time. Nursing, kissing, snuggling, and smelling (yup, smelling) your baby initiates the hormonal release of oxytocin, the love hormone, creating a lifelong bond. Bonding is about establishing the strongest love-based relationship possible. Yes, this is also true for partners! Oxytocin also begins the healing process for the birthing person and regulates the baby’s systems as they get used to a whole new world. Whatever needs to be done, can generally be done while the baby is in the parent's arms. A parent’s body is the best warmer that was ever invented.
How are decisions made about my care?
The basis of midwifery care is shared decision-making and informed choice/consent/refusal. True shared decision-making and informed care, means you are offered unbiased education and resources to help guide your decisions. It also means that you are respected for the choices you make for yourself and your baby’s care. Holding the responsibility for these choices in your own hands is both an empowering and life-affirming process.
Do you take insurance?
The short answer is yes. CPM's are considered out-of-network providers. Our billing company can submit a Verification of Benefits (VOB) to your insurance company. Any coverage, if available, will not be sent by your insurance company until at least several months after the birth. Therefore, regardless if insurance coverage will be pursued, the full fee paid to Agape Blooming is due by 36 weeks of pregnancy. CPM's are not covered under AHCCCS but we do offer AHCCCS discounts.What areas do you serve?
We serve the greater Phoenix area, Laveen, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler.
Do you have discounts?
We have a variety of discounts including AHCCCS AND pay upfront discounts.