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Frequently Asked Questions
Where did you get the name "Fair Flowers?"
What kind of training do you have?
What areas/towns do you serve?
Do you accept insurance?
Do you accept Medicaid?
Is homebirth safe?
What if something goes wrong?
What if I need something for the pain?
Do you do VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean)?
Do you do waterbirths?
What if someone else goes into labor at the same time I do?
Do you have other midwives that you work with?
What do you think are the greatest benefits of midwifery and homebirth?
If you have other questions not answered here, please e-mail me by clicking on the lilacs below!
What kind of training do you have? -- I have taken a state approved course in midwifery through the Association of Texas Midwives and I have completed an apprenticeship of at least 18 months with an approved preceptor. During my apprenticeship, I had to attend at least 30 births, and be the primary midwife for at least 20 more births under the supervision of my preceptor. I also had to complete a certain number of other clinical skills as well. To maintain my licensure, I will be required to take continuing education classes each year.
What areas / towns do you serve? -- I live about 10 miles from Pittsburg, 15 from Gilmer, and 15 from Daingerfield. I find it easiest to serve women who live within a 35 mile radius from my home. This area includes all of Franklin, Titus, Morris, Camp, Upshur and Gregg counties, the eastern half of Wood county and the western half of Harrison and Cass counties. I will consder those living outside these areas on a case by case basis. It is difficult to give good care at greater distances and may incur an additional fee.
Do you accept insurance? -- Not at this time. Perhaps in the future. (Why not?)
Do you accept Medicaid? -- Medicaid will not pay for a homebirth or the services of a licensed midwife. However it will pay for any labwork and testing, as well as a sonogram if it is medically necessary. If you truly desire a natural, home birth, please speak to me and we will try to work out a payment plan that is mutually agreeable.
Is homebirth safe? -- When the mother has cared for herself well during her pregnancy and she is at low risk of developing complications, then yes, homebirth is safe. Of course, there is nothing that is perfectly safe, not even a hospital birth. My question for you is: is it safer to birth in a place where you are considered normal and healthy, or in a place where you are considered a complication just waiting to happen?
What if something goes wrong? -- There are only a few things that could go wrong that would constitute a true emergency. I carry pitocin, methergine, and oxygen to be used in these situations and would immediately transport the mother/baby to the closest hospital while giving emergency care, or I would give care until EMS arrived to transport the mother/baby. The most common reason for non-emergency transfer to the hospital is "failure to progress."
What if I need something for the pain? -- If you really feel that you need pain medication during labor, you will need to be transported to the hospital. All pain medications have side effects for you and the baby that necessitate medical supervision and care. However, remember that during a home birth you ar e able to move around, eat, drink, bathe, and rest where you are most comfortable. You are not confined to a room or a bed and you can work with your contractions. You might just surprise yourself and find that the contractions are quite manageable under these circumstances!
Do you do VBACs? -- Before agreeing to do a VBAC, I will require a copy of the surgical report on your c-section. Both the outer and inner incisions must be low transverse, and double layer suturing must have been done. I will also look at the reason(s) why the cesarean was done. I also require that you live within 30 minutes of a hospital (if you don't, talk to me and we may be able to arrange an alternative).
Do you do waterbirths? -- Yes. You can rent or buy a birth tub from various places online, you can use a Rubbermaid water trough (really!) or a deep garden tub if you have one. Once the baby is born, I immediately lift it up out of the water into your arms so it can breathe.
What if someone goes into labor at the same time as I do? -- Yes, this does happen occasionally. It depends on where both of you are in your labors. I always try to bring an assistant with me to a birth, so I might be able to leave to check on the other person if they are nearby. Or, more likely, I would call another midwife to go check on the other person and attend the birth if I couldn't make it. I do try to limit the number of clients I take so that this sort of thing doesn't happen.
Do you have other midwives that you work with? -- I have backup arrangements with a couple of other midwives in the area. I also have at least one trained assistant who comes to births with me to help me out when I need it. Once my practice is more established I will also have apprentices who will assist me in giving care to my clients during prenatal visits and births.
What do you think are the greatest benefits of midwifery care and home birth? -- A midwife takes more time to get to know you and your family during your visits. The care is very personal and individualized. Birth at home is much more comfortable because you are with people you know and trust in a place that you are familiar with. You don't have to pack a bag and go anywhere, and after the birth you can all snuggle up in bed and take a well deserved rest! You also won't be exposed to all those very nasty, drug-resistant germs and bacteria that you'll find in hospitals. Your body has already built a resistance to the germs in your own home, and you'll pass it on to your baby while nursing.
What kind of training do you have?
What areas/towns do you serve?
Do you accept insurance?
Do you accept Medicaid?
Is homebirth safe?
What if something goes wrong?
What if I need something for the pain?
Do you do VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean)?
Do you do waterbirths?
What if someone else goes into labor at the same time I do?
Do you have other midwives that you work with?
What do you think are the greatest benefits of midwifery and homebirth?
If you have other questions not answered here, please e-mail me by clicking on the lilacs below!
What kind of training do you have? -- I have taken a state approved course in midwifery through the Association of Texas Midwives and I have completed an apprenticeship of at least 18 months with an approved preceptor. During my apprenticeship, I had to attend at least 30 births, and be the primary midwife for at least 20 more births under the supervision of my preceptor. I also had to complete a certain number of other clinical skills as well. To maintain my licensure, I will be required to take continuing education classes each year.
What areas / towns do you serve? -- I live about 10 miles from Pittsburg, 15 from Gilmer, and 15 from Daingerfield. I find it easiest to serve women who live within a 35 mile radius from my home. This area includes all of Franklin, Titus, Morris, Camp, Upshur and Gregg counties, the eastern half of Wood county and the western half of Harrison and Cass counties. I will consder those living outside these areas on a case by case basis. It is difficult to give good care at greater distances and may incur an additional fee.
Do you accept insurance? -- Not at this time. Perhaps in the future. (Why not?)
Do you accept Medicaid? -- Medicaid will not pay for a homebirth or the services of a licensed midwife. However it will pay for any labwork and testing, as well as a sonogram if it is medically necessary. If you truly desire a natural, home birth, please speak to me and we will try to work out a payment plan that is mutually agreeable.
Is homebirth safe? -- When the mother has cared for herself well during her pregnancy and she is at low risk of developing complications, then yes, homebirth is safe. Of course, there is nothing that is perfectly safe, not even a hospital birth. My question for you is: is it safer to birth in a place where you are considered normal and healthy, or in a place where you are considered a complication just waiting to happen?
What if something goes wrong? -- There are only a few things that could go wrong that would constitute a true emergency. I carry pitocin, methergine, and oxygen to be used in these situations and would immediately transport the mother/baby to the closest hospital while giving emergency care, or I would give care until EMS arrived to transport the mother/baby. The most common reason for non-emergency transfer to the hospital is "failure to progress."
What if I need something for the pain? -- If you really feel that you need pain medication during labor, you will need to be transported to the hospital. All pain medications have side effects for you and the baby that necessitate medical supervision and care. However, remember that during a home birth you ar e able to move around, eat, drink, bathe, and rest where you are most comfortable. You are not confined to a room or a bed and you can work with your contractions. You might just surprise yourself and find that the contractions are quite manageable under these circumstances!
Do you do VBACs? -- Before agreeing to do a VBAC, I will require a copy of the surgical report on your c-section. Both the outer and inner incisions must be low transverse, and double layer suturing must have been done. I will also look at the reason(s) why the cesarean was done. I also require that you live within 30 minutes of a hospital (if you don't, talk to me and we may be able to arrange an alternative).
Do you do waterbirths? -- Yes. You can rent or buy a birth tub from various places online, you can use a Rubbermaid water trough (really!) or a deep garden tub if you have one. Once the baby is born, I immediately lift it up out of the water into your arms so it can breathe.
What if someone goes into labor at the same time as I do? -- Yes, this does happen occasionally. It depends on where both of you are in your labors. I always try to bring an assistant with me to a birth, so I might be able to leave to check on the other person if they are nearby. Or, more likely, I would call another midwife to go check on the other person and attend the birth if I couldn't make it. I do try to limit the number of clients I take so that this sort of thing doesn't happen.
Do you have other midwives that you work with? -- I have backup arrangements with a couple of other midwives in the area. I also have at least one trained assistant who comes to births with me to help me out when I need it. Once my practice is more established I will also have apprentices who will assist me in giving care to my clients during prenatal visits and births.
What do you think are the greatest benefits of midwifery care and home birth? -- A midwife takes more time to get to know you and your family during your visits. The care is very personal and individualized. Birth at home is much more comfortable because you are with people you know and trust in a place that you are familiar with. You don't have to pack a bag and go anywhere, and after the birth you can all snuggle up in bed and take a well deserved rest! You also won't be exposed to all those very nasty, drug-resistant germs and bacteria that you'll find in hospitals. Your body has already built a resistance to the germs in your own home, and you'll pass it on to your baby while nursing.