Midwifery FAQ

We know choosing a homebirth and midwifery care is a deeply personal decision — and it often comes with a lot of questions. At Ohana Midwifery & Wellness, we’re committed to making sure you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way. Below, you’ll find answers to the most common questions we receive about our midwifery services, homebirth process, and what to expect before, during, and after birth.

  • We are Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) — licensed, nationally certified providers with advanced training in midwifery. Each CNM at Ohana has earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing with a concentration in Nurse Midwifery, holds national certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board, and is licensed by both the NC Midwifery Joint Committee and the NC Board of Nursing.
    Yes — CNM-led midwifery care is fully legal and regulated in North Carolina.

  • Homebirth is a safe option for individuals with low-risk pregnancies who desire a more personalized, natural experience outside of the hospital. During your initial consultation and prenatal care, we’ll assess your health history, pregnancy progression, and any potential risks to ensure that homebirth is the right fit for you and your baby.

  • Our routine prenatal care schedule is:

    • Every 4 weeks until 28 weeks gestation

    • Every 2 weeks from 28 to 36 weeks

    • Weekly from 36 weeks until birth

  • No. We provide full-spectrum prenatal, birth, postpartum, and newborn care for low-risk clients and healthy babies.
    Some clients choose to maintain a relationship with their OB/GYN through parallel care, but this is optional. Please note: most insurance providers will only cover one licensed provider for maternity care during the same pregnancy.

  • At minimum, every homebirth is attended by one Certified Nurse Midwife and one Birth Assistant. We are committed to providing safe, skilled, and calm support throughout your labor and delivery.

  • We bring all essential tools and supplies for safe, out-of-hospital birth, including:

    • Vital sign monitoring equipment (including fetal doppler)

    • General birth supplies and basic cleaning materials

    • IV supplies

    • Neonatal resuscitation equipment (including oxygen)

    • Medications to manage postpartum hemorrhage

    Note: We do not bring narcotics or pharmaceutical pain medications.

  • We do not perform ultrasounds in our office. However, we refer clients to trusted diagnostic imaging centers or OB/GYN offices who are familiar with homebirth clients and respectful of your care choices.

  • Our standard postpartum care includes:

    • 24–48 hours (CNM): Home visit for assessments of both client and baby, including newborn metabolic, hearing, and CCHD screens

    • 72–96 hours (Birth Assistant): Virtual check-in

    • 5–7 days (Birth Assistant): In-home support for vitals, feeding, weight checks, and lactation

    • 10–14 days (Birth Assistant): Follow-up home visit

    • 4–6 weeks (CNM): In-office postpartum exam

  • Yes. CNMs are trained to provide routine newborn care for the first month, including physical assessments and screenings. We’ll also support feeding, weight gain, and newborn wellness during postpartum visits.

  • Yes! We offer: (COMING BACK SOON)

    • Childbirth education classes (group or private)

    • Breastfeeding basics and lactation support

    • Newborn care classes

    • Ongoing education and preparation at every prenatal visit

  • Yes. We think doulas are vital to the birth team. We partner with trusted doulas who offers:

    • Prenatal visits focused on birth preparation

    • One-on-one support during labor and birth
      This adds an extra layer of emotional and physical support alongside our midwifery team.

  • Our comprehensive package for prenatal care, homebirth, postpartum, and newborn care starts at $7,600. Please see our Homebirth Package Information Sheet for full details on what’s included.

  • Yes. You may use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for midwifery services.

  • We are out-of-network with all insurance providers. However, we can provide a superbill after services are rendered for you to submit to your insurance company. We are a non-network Tricare certified provider.

    • If you transfer during pregnancy, you’ll only be billed for services already provided. Partial reimbursement may apply.

    • If you transfer during labor, we bill for labor support and travel. Reimbursement is unlikely in this case.

  • Our team members bring advanced training and skills, including:

    • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

    • Basic Life Support (BLS)

    • Breech Without Borders

    • Birth Emergency Skills Training

    • Spinning Babies + Shoulder Dystocia Techniques

    • Doula Training

    • Lactation Counselor Certification

    • Tummy Time Method

  • We work hard to leave your space just as we found it — or better. We:

    • Provide tips for setting up your birth space

    • Clean up all birth-related supplies

    • Start a load of laundry

    • Take out the trash
      Our goal is to help you focus on bonding and recovery while we quietly restore your space.