(757) 896-9809 or (757) 622-2791
Southeast Virginia's Homebirth Resource
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Blessed Birth Services (757) 896-9809 or (757) 622-2791 Southeast Virginia's Homebirth Resource |
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a list of Frequently Asked
Questions that we receive about our services!
Feel free to contact us via
email or
telephone if you still have any unanswered questions.
Does Blessed Birth Services or its
midwives carry any insurance?
No, we do not carry malpractice or liability
insurance.
Does Blessed Birth Services accept insurance coverage for payment of services?
All payment, must be received in full by 36 weeks. At this point, we do
not accept insurance of any kind. We will submit a statement to your
insurance company for reimbursement after your birth, some insurance companies
will reimburse and some will not. The law regarding CPMs qualifying to be
Licensed Midwives just recently went into effect in the Commonwealth of Virginia
and the insurance companies have not caught up yet. Contact your insurance
provider and inquire if they will cover a homebirth with a Licensed Midwife.
I
am still trying to decide if I want a homebirth. Do you offer an
appointment before I become a client?
Yes, you can schedule a "Checking Us Out Appointment". The cost is $50,
and if you choose to have a homebirth with us, we will deduct that money from
your total homebirth fee. If you would like to schedule an appointment
please give us a call or send us an
A
re there specific recommendations concerning weight gain, exercise and diet?
What things should I avoid?
Especially while you are pregnant, or nursing, you should avoid smoking, alcohol
and drugs.
What kinds of exercise are ok and which are possibly
dangerous?
Any exercise that your body is already comfortable with should be fine, if and
when it becomes uncomfortable then stop.
Should I avoid fish while I am pregnant?
Certain types of fish may contain mercury. Fish thought to be the highest risk
include shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. You can safely eat up to
12oz per week of shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish. If you
prefer white albacore tuna then you may only eat 6oz per week. It is not
recommended to eat raw fish at any time during pregnancy.
Is sleeping on my back as bad as some books say?
Probably not, if it is uncomfortable or your legs are swelling, then don’t do
it.
What are your thoughts on sex during pregnancy?
You should feel free to have sex as often as you desire during your entire
pregnancy.
How often will you see me during pregnancy?
We have a homebirth support group that meets approximately every 6 weeks.
You may come to this as often as you would like.
Prenatal appointments are held on Tuesday evenings. You will be seen once a month until you are approximately 36 weeks and then we will see you every two weeks, we will see you weekly from your due date until your delivery.
We will visit your home at 36 weeks to make sure we know how to get there and to make sure you have all of your supplies ready. You may make a special appointment outside of "office hours" at an additional charge.
How often do you perform vaginal exams?
We do a minimal amount of vaginal exams. We do them when we need to assess
your progress or verify the position of the baby.
What is your recommendation/practice for the use of
ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a great tool when used appropriately. We advise clients on
the pros and cons of ultrasound with regard to each situation and let them
decide for themselves. We do not own an ultrasound machine so having an
ultrasound performed would be an additional expense.
What types of testing do you offer me or the baby?
You will have the option of having all the same tests that
are available
with a physician or nurse-midwife. The initial tests that are offered are a Pap
smear, a screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, and a blood test called a
Prenatal Profile, which includes: blood type, Rh Factor, Complete Blood Count
(CBC) including hemoglobin and hematocrit (to identify possible anemia),
antibody screen, rubella titer (German measles), Hepatitis B, Syphilis, HIV and
Hepatitis C.
AFP (tetra screen) testing, ultrasound and amniocentesis are optional.
Around 28 weeks you will also have your blood checked for sugar levels to screen for the presence of diabetes or hypoglycemia, and if you are Rh-negative, for antibodies to Rh-positive blood.
At 35-37 weeks you will be offered a vaginal culture for Group B Strep.
After the birth, we can perform a blood typing test on your baby’s cord blood and at your first postpartum appointment we will offer to perform the Infant Metabolic Screening that is required by the state. You will also be referred for a newborn hearing screen at this point.
Prior to any test or procedure you will be informed of the risks and benefits to
you & your baby and given time to make an informed decision. You are in charge
of your care. We are here to provide you with the guidance & support you need to
make the best decisions for you and your baby!
Do you recommend certain birth or prenatal classes?
We believe all women should be educated about their bodies and the birth process
and we have Homebirth Support Group meetings just for that reason. We can
recommend birth classes at your appointment.
Are you open/supportive of me attending Lamaze, Bradley
&/or others?
Yes...the choice of class is up to each client but we do not recommend any class
offered through a hospital.
How long have you been in practice?
Blessed Birth Services opened in
2003, as the only homebirth option in SE Virginia.
Do you have references?
We all have references and are happy to provide them to you. Please
What sources of information do you recommend?
Books, movies, videos and the internet provide great information. You are
encouraged to check
What is your general philosophy concerning pregnancy and
birth?
We believe women are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights
among these the right to choose the place and the way that they will give birth.
Read Jennifer's beautiful
.
Jennifer Derugen,
LM, CPM has 1 son who was born in a hospital
and 1 daughter who was born at home.
Do you perform homebirths?
Yes, exclusively.
Do you return calls personally?
Yes, we all return calls personally. When you become a client of ours, you
will receive our beeper and cell phone numbers.
How do you feel about partners being involved at prenatal
exams and during labor and birth?
We strongly encourage partners to be present at exams, attend the birth and to
catch if they would like.
How do you regard written Birthing Plans? Are they
respected?
Feel free to create a birth plan and bring it to your prenatal appointment to
help us better understand your needs. You can find a nice one at
Do you have a birthing stool or birthing ball?
Yes, we usually carry a birthing stool and a birthing ball.
Is there access to a whirlpool/tub for those in labor?
Yes, Blessed Birth Services owns two
What is your cesarean rate?
The Blessed Birth Services rate of clients who have had a C-section is 3%.
The national average is around 30%. The average in the Hampton Roads area
is around 40%.
Why is
your C-section rate so low?
We think it is so low because we spend a lot of time prenatally addressing your
concerns and reducing your fears. By doing that, you become empowered to
trust your body's ability to birth naturally. We also believe that we are
REALLY good at what we do and that God made women's bodies to do the job of
growing and delivering a baby.
What is your epidural rate?
The Blessed Birth Services rate is around 3%.
How many other people can I have with me at all times?
As many as you are comfortable with in your home.
When should I call to alert you that I might be going into
labor?
As soon as you dream of being in labor, we would like you to call and let us
know. That usually alerts us that it will be soon.
If your water breaks, you are having discharge or you start having contractions,
we want you to call us immediately.
How do I know if I am in labor?
Labor is defined by regular contractions causing cervical change. Contractions
will typically start far apart and progressively become more frequent and
stronger over time. As contractions become closer, they will also increase in
intensity and duration. Once you begin to have contractions, typically they last
one minute from the start to the end of the contraction. Once they are five
minutes apart give us a call and let us know. Your water may break once this
process has begun or before you show any signs of labor. If your water breaks at
any time, let us know so that we may advise you further. Finally, if you have
any heavy bleeding towards the end of your pregnancy please call us.
How soon after I start labor will you come to see me?
When you beep us, we will discuss what is going on and how you are feeling.
Together, we will decide when we should come.
How much time will you spend with me when I'm in labor?
If you are truly in labor we will be there until 2-3 hours after the birth.
Do you encourage VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)?
Yes.
How often do you perform vaginal exams during labor?
We do them when we need to assess your progress or verify the position of the
baby. We do not do them as a routine thing.
How do you handle pain/discomfort during labor?
Prayer, change of positions, massage, sitting
on the birth ball, walking, showers and laboring in the birth tub.
What do you recommend to help me avoid
an episiotomy?
We do not do routine episiotomies. To avoid a tear there are a few things
you can do during your pregnancy: maintain adequate nutrition, perform kegel
exercises regularly and perform perineal massage.
How do you feel about water births?
Very positive.
Do you encourage women in labor to walk, squat or be in
positions they find helpful during labor?
Absolutely.
Do I have a choice of positions? What laboring positions
are recommended?
Any position that you are comfortable in, we
are comfortable in.
What is your view of breastfeeding?
There is NO better food for a baby.
Do you encourage women to breastfeed?
Absolutely. If you need encouragement,
classes or help, we can refer you to a specialist.
What is your view of circumcision?
I discuss the pros and cons of circumcision
with my clients. We do not perform it and any client who wanted it done
would be referred to a local Rabbi.