Question 1

How do I get Started?

Accepted Answer

I would love to meet you and join in on your birth day preparations.

What that looks like:

Call to set up a consultation.   
If you decide to establish care with us, fill out the contact form here, send us an e-mail or give us a call.  
I’ll send you a link to create your online portal so you can fill out your history and sign consents online.  
Make your initial appointment where we will get to know you, review  your history, and draw initial labs.  
Monthly appointments until 28 weeks. 
At the 20 week mark, you will get your in depth ultrasound study with our maternal fetal medicine specialist that will ensure you and baby are on track for a healthy birth.
 At 28 weeks labs again, then we start every 2 week visits.  
Starting at 36 weeks we will schedule weekly visits until the birth.   
We will join you once you are in active labor and stay with you until both you and your baby have enjoyed a meal and are ready to be tucked into bed.  
We will continue to see you and the baby for 3-4 times in the first six weeks after birth.

Question 2

Do you accept insurance for midwifery services?

Accepted Answer

I currently do not accept insurance to cover home birth deliveries.   After birth, an itemized receipt will be provided for clients to submit to insurance companies for reimbursement or credit towards deductibles. You should call your insurance companies to confirm that your plan has “out of network” benefits. This is required to receive reimbursement from insurance companies.  I do offer competitive rates for my services and individualized payment plans.   I will take a deposit at your initial visit and work out the remainder to be paid over the duration of your care.   Contact my biller for more information.

Question 3

Do I still need to see my doctor?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t! Because we are recognized as national healthcare providers, we are able to order and interpret everything we need to in order to monitor your pregnancy! If it becomes necessary, we have a consulting physician and collaborate with a Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor for evaluation.

Question 4

Can my children, friends, or family members attend appointments with me and be at the birth?"

Accepted Answer

A spouse as well as one additional person is welcome at appointments. 
Doulas are encouraged at birth, along with spouse and a maximum of two other individual supports. I do not recommend, or encourage, a crowded birth.

Question 5

What Does a Midwife Do?

Accepted Answer

A midwife cares for women throughout their life. We can help with family planning, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, menopause and more.  We are  experts at caring for families who have a low-risk, normal pregnancy, birth and postpartum. We are licensed and board-certified, regulated by the state. We order and interpret labs and ultrasounds.  In addition, we can assess, diagnose & treat minor medical conditions and have the ability to write prescriptions. We carry emergency medicine and equipment in case the need arises. We have physicians and hospitals we work closely with, if the need for their care becomes necessary.

Question 6

What Are The Benefits of Having an Out of Hospital Birth?

Accepted Answer

BE YOUR OWN BIRTHING BOSS: Maximize your chances for Natural Childbirth with the freedom of unrestricted labor in a place where you are free to eat and drink, move freely, and assume any position, wherever you like (walking, sitting, standing, squatting, hands and knees, reaping the benefits of tools that feel right to you while you are in labor like a physiologic ball, rebozo, rocking chair and hydrotherapy) and enjoying your family members.

IMPROVE YOUR BIRTH OUTCOME: Birthing in an environment where you are supported by a trained healthcare professional that trusts your body and minimizes the use of interventions in the natural process of birth is proven to reduce operative vaginal deliveries, vaginal lacerations, cesarean sections, neonatal stress and compromise and urinary tract and pelvic infections.

PERSONALIZED MEDICAL ATTENTION:  Women are better able to relax and trust their bodies without the stress, anxiety and upheaval of several different hospital staff interrupting the process with questions, lights, papers to signs, alarming monitors and a plethora of demands.  My team, whom you have had a chance to get to know and trust throughout your prenatal care will be with you every step of the way from active labor to the birth of your newborn or until you are safely transferred if the need arises and then follow up in your care postnatally.

AVOID UNNECESSARY INTERVENTIONS AND UNFOUNDED RESTRICTIONS: Women that are hospitalized for normal labor and birth, become vulnerable subjects to a host of unnecessary interventions which often increase risks and create a cascade of greater problems and greater interventions. These include: routine artificial rupture of membranes, use of augmentation drugs to speed up the process of birth, encouraged use of narcotics and and epidrurals, withholding food and drink to women in active labor, restricting freedom of movement and routine use of unfavorable birthing positions and an infinite number of protocols that are directly in opposition to evidence based care all of which increase risks to moms and babies.

REDUCE YOUR RISK FOR MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY:  Compared to America’s hospital average cesarean rate of 32%, Home birth clients boast of a very low cesarean section rate of 4.7%

Question 7

Am I a Candidate For Home Birth?

Accepted Answer

Home birth is an option for most families,but there are some situations in which I would need to advise against a home birth. If you do not have a health condition that could impact your labor, all of your exams and lab results are normal, you are a good candidate for a home birth.   Low risk pregnancies allow the best outcomes for mom and baby. Since so many women are informed by hospital based providers that they are experiencing a high risk pregnancy when in fact they are not,  Let's have a conversation to review the data and confirm if your pregnancy is indeed high risk. If your pregnancy is high risk I will be happy to make suggestions that will enhance your pregnancy and birth experience.  If your pregnancy is indeed low risk we would be happy to attend you at PBWS.

Question 8

What Type of Service Can I Expect?

Accepted Answer

You can expect to see me at all your visits and your birth. This gives you an opportunity to truly build a trusting relationship with me  throughout your pregnancy, birth and postpartum period. I follow the standardized prenatal care schedule and order the same screening and diagnostic labs and ultrasounds recommended by most major professional organizations.

During your visits, expect to have time to address your concerns, and to review educational points. Expect to be well informed regarding your care, nothing will be done without your consent, all testing will be fully explained, so that you can make informed choices. Expect to be the leading partner in your care. Expect to birth in the comfort of your home or whatever your desired location is. Finally, expect high quality, safe care from a provider who really cares about improved birth outcomes.

Question 9

Do you offer a Birth Center option?

Accepted Answer

For an extra fee you can birth your child at one of the birth centers I have privileges to use.  Whether you are planning to birth at home or at the birth center, the majority of your appointments will take place at my office.

Question 10

Do you accept clients desiring TOLAC (Trial Of Labor After Cesarean) or VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)?

Accepted Answer

Do you accept clients desiring TOLACs or VBACs?

On a case by case basis, I am proud to say that YES YOU CAN and Yes I do.  
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologist has recommended VBAC as a safe and appropriate choice for most women who have had a prior C-section, however most doctors simply choose not to disclose to women that this option exists.

I have encountered countless women who were routinely scheduled for repeat cesarean deliveries despite their desires and many naively believed “once a c-section always a c-section”.  This is  tragic as cesarean deliveries are the #1 surgical procedure performed in America, costing Americans millions of healthcare dollars.
Hence, I am a huge fan of Vaginal births after cesarean delivery and encourage you to explore if this option is right for you.  I will offer you information and go over your surgical records and reasons for the previous cesarean delivery.

I will explain the risks and benefits, whatever you decide, I am right behind you. 
Resources for VBAC:
www.vbacfacts.com
https://www.ican-online.org/
VBAC success calculator: 
https://mfmunetwork.bsc.gwu.edu/web/mfmunetwork/vaginal-birth-after-cesarean-calculator

Question 11

What Is Your Service Area?

Accepted Answer

I serve home birth clients that live within a 45 mile radius from my Plano office.

Question 12

What if there’s an emergency or if I have to transfer to the hospital during my birth?

Accepted Answer

We are trained to manage the most common complications that arise at birth. We carry the same emergency medications and equipment that are available at the hospital. However, if a need arises for a higher level of monitoring or intervention, I don’t hesitate to transport to the hospital. My goal is always safety, so I monitor vigilantly and transfer to the closest hospital with a maternity unit before a true emergency is occurring.

Question 13

Do you have requirements for first time parents/first time natural birthing mothers?

Accepted Answer

To maximize your success, first time parents/first time natural birthing mothers are required to complete a childbirth education class and hire a doula.

Question 14

Are doula Services included in pricing?

Accepted Answer

No. But we have a list of doulas that we frequently refer clients to that are happy to provide custom pricing.

Question 15

What happens if I risk-out home birth during the pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

If you risk out of home birth I will recommend home birth friendly providers who will treat your in hospital birth with respect and who deliver at open minded facilities. you will be given a copy of your complete medical record and a transfer of care form. I will remain available for questions you have in your ongoing care, just call me.

Question 16

How do Labs & Ultrasound work?

Accepted Answer

I draw labs during your first prenatal appointments,  and at 28-weeks, and at 36 weeks.  If for some reason you need labs but cannot make it to the office, we can order any lab and you can go to the Quest location that is convenient to you.   Ultrasounds are done at our consulting physician’s office.Labs and ultrasounds can still be covered by insurances.   PBWS uses Quest which accepts most insurances and medicaid plans.  They offer reasonable discounted self-pay pricing for uninsured clients.

Midwife & Clinic

How do I get Started?

Do you accept insurance for midwifery services?

Do I still need to see my doctor?

Can my children, friends, or family members attend appointments with me and be at the birth?"

What Does a Midwife Do?

What Are The Benefits of Having an Out of Hospital Birth?

Am I a Candidate For Home Birth?

What Type of Service Can I Expect?

Do you offer a Birth Center option?

Do you accept clients desiring TOLAC (Trial Of Labor After Cesarean) or VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)?

What Is Your Service Area?

What if there’s an emergency or if I have to transfer to the hospital during my birth?

Do you have requirements for first time parents/first time natural birthing mothers?

Are doula Services included in pricing?

What happens if I risk-out home birth during the pregnancy?

How do Labs & Ultrasound work?

“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.”

- Marie Mongan

Midwife & Clinic

How do I get Started?

Do you accept insurance for midwifery services?

Do I still need to see my doctor?

Can my children, friends, or family members attend appointments with me and be at the birth?"

What Does a Midwife Do?

What Are The Benefits of Having an Out of Hospital Birth?

Am I a Candidate For Home Birth?

What Type of Service Can I Expect?

Do you offer a Birth Center option?

Do you accept clients desiring TOLAC (Trial Of Labor After Cesarean) or VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)?

What Is Your Service Area?

What if there’s an emergency or if I have to transfer to the hospital during my birth?

Do you have requirements for first time parents/first time natural birthing mothers?

Are doula Services included in pricing?

What happens if I risk-out home birth during the pregnancy?

How do Labs & Ultrasound work?

“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.” - Marie Mongan

“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.”

- Marie Mongan