Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is this a better way to do pregnancy care? 

A: Our way of doing care provides you with long appointments (including in the evenings or on weekends) where you can truly get to know us, and we can get to know you. The average doctors office will allow your provider to spend a total of 45 minutes with you TOTAL throughout your entire pregnancy! (And that's assuming you see the same provider each time). Our first prenatal appointments alone are 2 hours long. By the time you're ready to deliver, we've gotten to know each other really well, and we've had time do develop trust, whereas in a traditional OB office, you have NO IDEA who will actually be on call the day you have your baby!

Q: How do I afford this? 

A: A home birth represents a substantial investment, for sure. To make this more affordable, we offer payment plans, so you can stretch your payments out over time. We also offer a sliding-scale fee schedule for military families! 

Q: Is home birth safe? 

A: For healthy, low-risk women, having a baby at home is every bit a safe as delivering in a hospital. In addition, women who deliver at home have far fewer cesarean births, lower chance of vacuum or forceps-assisted delivery, and a drastically lower episiotomy rate. 

Q: What kind of education/training does my midwife have? 

A: Jacob (Jake) completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Washington, graduating in 2014. He then completed 2 years of postdoctoral training at Frontier Nursing University, as well as a fellowship in perinatal mental health. His clinical rotations were completed at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego. He has delivered over 500 babies, and seen countless patients for gynecologic issues, reproductive health, primary care, and psychiatric issues. Prior to his life as a midwife, he worked as an emergency room nurse for 10 years, and deployed with trauma units to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. He served 25 years in the Navy, and is blissfully retired from active duty as of 2017. 

Q: What if something happens? 

A: Childbirth is a natural, beautiful process, but is not entirely without risk. Things can and do go sideways, and emergency measures must be taken. Your midwife has years of experience managing obstetric emergencies, and has all the same emergency supplies that the hospital does, minus an operating room. In the event we should need surgery, EMS will be called, and we will probably still be at the hospital before the OR is ready for us. Your midwife will stay with you, every step of the way. 

Q: What is your C-Section rate? 

A: As of 3/3/2024, our Cesarean Section rate is 4.2%. The C-Section rate for the state of Georgia as a whole is 35.1% (Source: March of Dimes)

Q: How does prenatal care work? 

A: Prenatal visits are usually done in the clinic, and are typically an hour or so in length. Exams, basic ultrasounds, and lab collection are all done at the clinic. We also have appointments available on evenings and weekends, to ensure that spouses/partners can be there. We do refer our clients to Maternal-Fetal Medicine for anatomy ultrasounds, and to other specialists as necessary. 

Q: What if my house is messy, noisy, too small, etc…….?

A: We have 7 children. 4 of them are teenagers. We have seen messes you can’t possibly imagine! We don’t care about messy houses, cramped spaces, dishes in the sink, etc. We only care that you have the best possible birth experience, in your own environment. 

*Please note - If you smoke cigarettes in your home, we are unable to provide care there, due to allergies and consideration for other clients. 

Q: What happens after baby is born? 

A: After your baby is born, your placenta is delivered, and any repairs are completed, your midwife will be around for at least a few more hours, to monitor you and your baby, as well as to do your baby’s first exam, administer medications (if desired) to baby, and keep a close eye on your bleeding, pain etc. After that, we’ll help clean up, make sure you are fed and tucked comfortably in bed, and then we’ll go home for a bit. We are always just a call/text away, and will be back the next day to check on you both. After that, we’ll stop by as often as you need us to. We want to make sure that you are safe, comfortable, and that any concerns or issues you may have are addressed. We will file the necessary paperwork for birth certificates and social security cards with the state. 

Q: What if I want to decline vaccinations, medications, lab tests, or anything else? 

A: This is your baby, your body, and your birth. We will support your choices, as only you are in a position to determine what is best for you and your baby. 

Q: Can my midwife see me for anything other than pregnancy? 

A: Yes! As a certified Nurse Midwife, Jake can see you for a wide range of things, such as primary care needs, annual exams (including Pap tests, if needed), breast cancer screening, period issues, birth control, etc. Since he is also board-certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Jake also see patients for psychiatric complaints of all kinds.

Q: How does payment work? 

A: A home birth costs a flat rate of $6,000, not counting lab costs (usually covered by insurance) or unforeseen referrals. We will make a monthly payment plan for you to pay gradually, over the course of your pregnancy. After deposit, the typical monthly payment is between $700 and $900, depending on how early in your pregnancy you start care. We will work with you, however, to help you afford your payments, if at all possible. Because we have far more people interested in delivering with us than we can safely take, we require a deposit prior to your first appointment, to hold your spot. After your pregnancy, we will provide a "superbill" that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. 

Q: Can I see you for just prenatal care, and then deliver in a hospital? 

A: Yes! We offer two different pricing plans, either “per visit” or as a total package. We understand that home birth is not for everyone, and we would still like to provide you with personalized, excellent quality prenatal care. 

Q: What if I need something in the middle of the night, or on weekends? 

A: This is what cell phones are for! Jake’s personal # is (253) 777-7501. If it’s important enough that you’re worried, PLEASE call. For routine questions or issues, you can text any time, weekends and evenings included.