Are there laws regulating homebirth midwives?
Nevada currently only regulates certified nurse-midwives (CNM). No other type of midwife is regulated. This has both risks and benefits for consumers. Anyone can legally call themselves a midwife and practice in Nevada and they wouldn’t be breaking any state law in doing so. Since not everyone is regulated, it’s important for parents to choose a midwife wisely. Before choosing, interview a prospective midwife and ask for educational background, clinical experience, number of births attended, and references.
How many births has Baby’s First Day attended?
As of January 2017, our team has attended the births of 3,136 babies! We attended about 1,500 births as labor and delivery nurses at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, 87 births as students nurse-midwives, 962 births as primary CNMs at St. Rose Hospital (not including cesarean births that they assisted with or births they shared with OB/GYN partners), and 588 home births since starting Baby’s 1st Day.
Because we are the only labor and delivery nurse team turned midwives in Nevada, we have attended more births than any other home birth midwife in the state. This is valuable. For a midwife to see complications she has to have attended hundreds of births, as most births are perfectly normal. Our experience gives us confidence in managing complications.
Are your services covered by insurance?
Our practice is now participating in many Nevada insurances. To inquire please email Allyson our Patient Specialist letting her know what insurance you currently have and what birth location you desire @ Allyson@lvbirthcenter.com
What if I decide to have medication during labor?
The option of going to the hospital at any point in your labor is always available. Having said this, it is very uncommon in a labor that is progressing normally that women opt to go to the hospital. Having the ability to eat, drink, move, and having the constant support of loves ones makes an incredible difference in one’s ability to cope with the hard work of labor.
Will I need to see an OB/GYN during my pregnancy?
Although it’s not necessary, you may choose to see an OB/GYN during your pregnancy. Clients generally find this dual care redundant as all of the lab work, ultrasounds, and prenatal assessment that you would get with an OB/GYN is available at our office. Some women like the security of being able to say they have a physician relationship, just in case a hospital transport is necessary during birth. We do work with a physician group in town if an emergency arises.
Will I get an ultrasound during my pregnancy?
Our office has capability to perform non-diagnostic ultrasound for neonate positioning. For all standard and higher-level ultrasound diagnostic testing patients are referred and scheduled to vendors based on using their insurance or best self-pay pricing.
What are the benefits of using water during labor and/or birth?
Water removes 75% of gravity, which significantly decreases the amount of pain you experience during labor and pushing. It also allows you to be more relaxed and mobile, and because of that, shortens your labor. Being able to change positions frequently and easily allows the birthing woman to be more aware of how her labor is progressing and to feel a direct connection with what is happening. Water provides an increase in oxygen to the baby and the uterine muscles, decreasing the potential risks of fetal distress and prolonged, often ineffectual labor.
How long does the midwife stay after the birth?
It is more of a checklist of milestones that need to be reached rather than the time frame that determines when the midwife leaves after delivery. We monitor the mother, observe that placenta has delivered and bleeding is stable, breastfeeding is off to a good start, mom has eaten, been up to urinate, the baby has a head to toe newborn exam, we also clean up during this time. By the time we leave, no one will know you had the baby at home by looking around the house; except there is the newborn in the bed with a proud Mama and family!
If for any reason, the mother and baby are not doing just fine, we stay until the situation is resolved or go with one or both of you to the hospital.
What about the birth certificate? Social Security Number?
Your midwife will complete a “Registration Of A Live Birth” form and send it in within 10 days of the birth. One of the questions on the form is for assigning a social security number at birth. We can check ”yes” or “no.” If you choose “no,” you must then register the child for a social security number by the age of sixteen. Approximately 3 weeks after the registration of the live birth you can visit VitalChek and order the official, state-documented birth certificate.