In simple terms, only certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are offered licensure in North Carolina to practice legally. North Carolina has continually refused to offer licensure for certified professional midwives (CPMs), which is the only branch of midwifery specializing in low-risk, out-of-hospital birth. This is a national certification and most other states in the US offer licensure for CPMs, including our surrounding states, SC and TN. Practicing midwifery without a license in North Carolina is a misdemeanor. Therefore, the practicing midwife is taking a legal risk, but the family is not. This usually means that there is a lot of focus on building trust in the relationship, hearing the family’s wants and needs, and discussing if someone is “low-risk” and a good candidate for home-birth midwifery care.
Because of this, non-nurse midwives have been forced to practice “underground.” It can be challenging to find a home-birth provider (when it isn’t appropriate to share these midwives names publicly or tag them on Facebook) but we do have lots of options for home-births!
This means that we are allowed to hire any birth attendant that feels like the best fit for our family, regardless of their certification, licensure or training— and, we can give birth wherever we want, including our home. It is my belief that families should give birth wherever they feel safest, which for many, is at home, and for many, is at the hospital or birth center. There is a community of midwives here in the Asheville area who believe in autonomy of families and our right to choose our own care. And thankfully, we have lots of birthing options here so we can all pick what is right for us.
In the WNC area, we have a couple of certified nurse midwives (CNMs, Ellie Lee and Jude Wrzesinski) and at least one MD/OB (Dr. Graeme Potter in Sylva) and a handful of certified professional midwives (CPMs), and a handful of traditional midwives who are highly trained though not certified. All of these providers can offer home-birth services. This means that they offer all routine prenatal care, attend the birth at home, and do 6 weeks of postpartum care for both mother and baby.
When talking about home-birth, it is also important to mention that some families also choose to have an unassisted/free-birth at home, meaning there is no paid provider or midwife present.
It is true that not all midwives are the same. It is up to us as families to interview our care providers, ask the right questions, decide who we feel most safe and comfortable with, and take responsibility for our own decisions regarding our pregnancy and birth.
Most home-birth providers don’t (or can’t) take insurance. Typically home-birth midwifery services in our area range from $4-6k out-of-pocket. The birth center in town, Lilac Asheville Birth and Wellness Center is about $6k out of pocket and working on being able to take insurance in the future. However, the average person in NC with insurance still pays $3k+ out-of pocket, and that’s for a no-intervention, vaginal birth. Most home-birth providers are happy to set up a payment plan and some will even trade or barter. Some people set up GoFundMe’s and ask for family and community financial support.
We are committed to providing personalized and supportive care throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey. Our team of experienced midwives will work with you to create a birthing plan that meets your unique needs and preferences. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can support you during this special time.
As a experienced midwife, I offer a variety of services to support you throughout your pregnancy and birth journey. From prenatal care to postpartum care, I strive to provide compassionate and personalized care to each of my clients. My goal is to empower you to make informed decisions that align with your values and preferences, while ensuring the safety and well-being of you and your baby. With my years of experience, I am confident in my ability to provide you with the care and support you need to have a positive and fulfilling birth experience.
Whether you're in the early stages of pregnancy or nearing your due date, I would be honored to support you on your journey. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the services I offer.
Morgan May: Asheville Doula and Postpartum Care
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