Home Birth and Everything You Wanted to Know

Choosing To Have A Home Birth

Do you want a home birth? Perhaps you, like me, think that the idea of a home birth seems interesting, but never amounts to anything more than just curiosity. I remember wanting a home birth, but time and time again, we end up going the hospital route for each baby. To be honest, at the time I’m young and not asking enough questions. Imagine me: fresh out of college and married at 21. I’m pregnant by 22, and start having children back to back.

However, during my last pregnancy–in all honesty–what makes me look into working with midwives this time around is the out-of-pocket cost. Prior to getting pregnant, I was separated heading for a divorce. Miraculously, we reconciled. I quit my full time job to focus on our family. Because of this, we sold our enormous home and downsized to live a more stress-free life. Naturally, cost is a motivating factor for me at this point in time, as well as having some negative experiences with hospitals. So I find home birth appealing paying a fraction of the amount of what a hospital may charge you.

Besides the astronomical costs of having a baby here in the U.S., I’m hoping to finally experience what it’s like to have a baby at home! Not having any family close by (ugh, tear!), I don’t have anyone that I can leave the older kids with for the multiple hospital appointments and ultimately, the birth.

So in other words, I’m not the only one giving birth at home during a pandemic. Like many others, I’m loving the idea of a more natural, hands-on birth with family present. A safe place where the fears and restrictions of COVID-19 aren’t dictating how I bring my child into the world.

How I Prepare My Kids For A Home Birth

Preparing everyone else in the family is a pretty neat experience. First, we start by talking about what a home birth means, and educate ourselves by reading plenty of books together. Secondly, we scour YouTube videos for home births to understand what a natural birth may sound and look like. We begin to get more excited about this experience and how much everyone in the family can be a part of this birth!

Looking for the Right People

My next step in the process is to look for midwives I want to work with. I begin by reading reviews online, searching for midwives near me, and making phone calls to my top three finalists.

Out of everyone I talk to, my favorite is Cassie from Teamwork Birthing–a team of sisters who work together. Her bubbly personality spills through our phone chat. She answers every question I have with zero judgment. Paired with her contagious happiness about bringing babies into the world, is her vast knowledge of her love for midwifery, families, and God. This is it. I’m ecstatic to find my team of midwives!!!

My Experience Working With Midwives

In addition to finding the best people to work with, I’m extremely happy with their services. Every appointment is on time. Their offices are full of toys for the older kids to play with. You can even find supplements, such as vitamins and natural medicines for purchase. They even educate me on birth control and what is right for my family. Never once do I feel rushed, and my husband is equally part of the process as well.

Thankfully, every visit goes according to plan, and we eventually bring a beautiful baby girl into this word exactly how we planned. My water birth is awesome for pain relief and I recommend one to anyone brave enough to let their body handle the pain of child birth. We opt for delayed cord cutting (Cassie explains this below), and enjoy the first few hours of her life as we snuggle up in bed in the comfort of my own home.

You can see my full review of their services by reading it on google, and if you are in the central Florida area thinking about a home birth, please check them out!

All About Cassie, My Midwife, at Teamwork Birthing

Because of my amazing experience with Teamwork Birthing, I ask Cassie if it’s okay to interview her for my blog. Naturally, she’s more than happy to! (The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

Can you please tell us about yourself?

I’m Cassie (Cassandra) Largaespada, LM CPM (Licensed Midwife, Certified Professional Midwife).

Mom to 6 kids, I gave birth to four and adopted two. I had my first baby at a hospital and the next three at a birth center. I didn’t know about home birth back then but if I could go back, I would definitely choose a home birth.

What made you want to become a midwife?

My hospital birth was not a good experience and I felt out of control and not listened to. I decided to find care where I was able to make choices alternative to the mainstream recommendations.

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife for those who don’t know?

A doula is a labor support person with no medical training. They support the emotional and physical needs of the mother and are a perfect compliment to the mother’s partner. A midwife is medically trained to take care of low risk women prenatally, during birth and postpartum. A midwife takes the place of an OB unless things become high risk.

How long have you been a midwife or working with mothers and babies?

I have worked in the birth community for 17 years. I was a doula for 10 years then went to midwifery school for 3 years and have been practicing as a midwife for almost 4 years.

What would you say is the biggest misconception about midwives?

The biggest misconception I have heard is that midwives are the same thing as doulas or have no medical training and do not know what to do in an emergency situation. People are often surprised that we carry medication, oxygen, and resuscitation equipment.

Do you offer genetic testing and/or gender testing for mothers-to-be?

Yes, we offer all the same lab testing offered at an OB office. We even do it in office so you don’t have to go anywhere else. We also are ok if you decide to decline some lab testing.

Do you accept vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) patients?

Yes! We love to support VBAC moms. We do need to have you consult with an OB regarding the risk and benefits of a repeat C Section vs a VBAC but we do this often.

Can you deliver twins or multiples?

In Florida, we cannot attend twin or breech deliveries at home.

Can mothers eat and drink during labor at their home birth?

Absolutely, whatever and whenever you want. In fact, we encourage you to drink frequently to avoid the need for IV hydration.

What is a common question you get asked a lot when meeting moms-to-be for the first time?

We are often asked if we “allow” you to do different things. Our answer is consistently the same. There is nothing we allow or don’t allow. It is your pregnancy. Your birth. Your baby. We have recommendations and we have some things that would exclude us from attending your birth but everything is a discussion and you ultimately have the final say.

Is anyone not a good candidate for home birth?

Yes. Home birth is only appropriate for low risk moms and low risk babies. We have a risk screening that helps us determine if you are a good candidate for home birth and we have a consulting OB that will help us to determine if you are a good candidate when there are “moderate” risks during the pregnancy. By the way, AMA (advanced maternal age), high BMI, and history of infertility are NOT considered high risk in our practice or by law in Florida. We hear these reasons all the time that women think they are too high risk for home birth.

Are your services covered by insurance?

Sometimes. We do take Medicaid on a limited basis and we are in network with 2 private insurance companies in Central Florida. We can also bill your insurance as out of network providers and sometimes get a decent reimbursement. Our self pay rate is approximately 10%-25% the self pay cost at the hospital.

Do you accept patient transfers into your care? If so, up until how many weeks pregnant can they transfer over?

Yes, as long as they have a copy of their records and are low risk. We have had many late transfers even up to 40 weeks for a couple mamas. As long as the family is confident in the decision, we have seen great success with transfers.

What are some of the reasons your patients have transferred to Teamwork Birthing?

Some of the top reasons we have seen women transfer to us recently are families being welcomed in prenatal appointments and the birth in our care, longer appointment times (and less wait time to be seen) at our office, patients/partners not feeling heard and understood by their OB office, patients desiring to have more freedom during labor and pushing, previous traumatic birthing experiences.

What kind of pain management do you offer?

We do not offer any medical pain management during labor. However, midwives say the birth pool is our epidural. Obviously, it does not take away the pain, but it can give a great deal of relief. We also try to reframe the thoughts around labor pain and remind mamas that labor pain is different than any other pain in your life. It is pain with a purpose. It is empowering and women have been doing it since the dawn of time. We know that fear makes labor more painful so we aim to bring as much peace and safety to the birth space.

What is delayed cord cutting for those of us who haven’t heard that before?

There is a wide variety of delayed cord cutting. In the hospital, that typically means 1-2 minutes. For us, we rarely cut a cord (unless there is an emergency that necessitates it) until after the placenta is delivered and whenever you are ready.

How much does a birth with midwives cost?

Our global package including all care and labs is $6,000.

Is there a limit to people being present for the birth?

There is no limit to people being present at your birth. We want you to have all the support you need. We do encourage only having those present who fully support home birth and only those you are ok being completely naked in front of. Giving birth is very vulnerable and intimate and if you feel you are “being watched”, it will inhibit your progress.

What is one of the most memorable moments you have experienced delivering a baby?

This is such a hard question to answer. There have been so many! But, I will say that some of the most emotional births for me have been mamas that have delivered after a loss. We are all grateful for our babies and we all have a story of how we get to where we are but these stories just get me in the feels.

Cassie, thank you so much for answering all of my questions! For those in Central Florida interested in working with your team for a home birth, how can people contact you?

You can visit us online at: www.teamworkbirthing.com or call 321-296-9399

Our office is located at: 5104 N OBT, Suite #109. Orlando, FL 32810

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