FAQs
What is your educational background?
I began my midwifery training with a local Licensed Lay Midwife in 1999. I took a short break to focus on my second child and family before going on to finish my training/ apprenticeship with a Certified Nurse Midwife that was practicing and offering home delivery services in Central Arkansas at that time. I finished my midwifery training in 2006 and founded Carrie Cobb Midwife Services, formerly Gentle Arrival Midwifery Services. I am a former Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth educator and have been a private labor coach, also known as a doula, since 1997. I have always been passionate about health care and went back to nursing school in 2007. After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas at Little Rock, I continued to work as a Licensed Lay Midwife and worked as a RN providing end of life care to those on hospice. I am still currently expanding my knowledge base in all areas of health and hopefully in the next few years will earn my Master’s in Nursing.
*** please note the above statement is to answer my educational background question not to advertise nursing services. We all wear different hats in life, and this is meant to inform you of my educational background only.
Are there any laws in the state of Arkansas regulating home birth?
Midwives in the state of Arkansas are licensed to take care of low risk women, meaning if you have an underlying medical condition such as previous cesarean delivery, multiple gestation, insulin dependent diabetes, or other conditions that would put you or your baby at a higher risks you may not be able to qualify for home delivery itself, but could definitely benefit from doula services. The rules and regulations governing midwifery practice can be found at healthy.arkansas.gov and will give you a full list of conditions that preclude midwifery care. You are also encouraged to take advantage of a free consultation as well to answer any questions you may have.
Can anyone have a home birth?
A person must be healthy and low risk to have a home birth. The most common questions that clients ask frequently are about previous cesarean delivery and being an insulin dependent diabetic. These conditions preclude care and are both considered high risk by the state of Arkansas. healthy.arkansas.gov will give you a full list of conditions that would preclude midwifery care.
Are your services covered by insurance?
All insurance companies vary in the coverage regarding midwifery care. Some reimburse at 100% while other do not cover midwifery services at all. I encourage you to contact your provider and ask them directly what their policy is with your particular plan. I will assist you as much as possible finding the answers you need if you are having difficulty. I do not file insurance claims for you, but will provide receipts or an itemized statement for your use when seeking reimbursement from your provider if midwifery is covered.
Do you offer payment plans?
I understand every family has different financial obligations to meet each month. I will help you to come up with a payment plan that will assist you with midwifery care and the delivery you desire. I have found that being honest and open right from the beginning and having mutual respect between the client’s expectations and the midwife’s care is key to making this extra financial expense possible.
What is your refund policy if we need to switch to an OBGYN and deliver in a hospital?
This will depend on when during your pregnancy or labor this occurs. Each situation is unique and is handled on an individual basis. This is a common question we will go over in more detail at your free consultation.
Would you consider yourself to be more hands on or more hands off?
Each woman is as unique as her pregnancy. I am there to provide safety as home birth is our specialty. It is up to the mother and her needs/desires. If she would like me to be more hands-on, I will be glad to be right by her side through it all. Some mothers choose this while others want to experience a more hands-off approach. That is when I will monitor as needed and try to be a quiet as possible blending naturally into a corner of the room.
Will I have the same available tests and ultrasounds during my pregnancy?
The goal is for a healthy mom and a healthy baby. This means there are some tests and ultrasounds that are necessary for helping reassure both the care provider and the family that things are going exactly as planned. There are some tests you can decline, but I want you to be well informed and educated on ALL tests and procedures throughout this process regardless of if you choose to decline or not.
Do you have experience using water during labor and/or birth and can I choose my own birthing position?
Laboring mothers should be able to choose when, where and how they give birth. This includes whatever position they feel the most comfortable at that time. This might be in a pool of warm water, hands and knees, standing, sitting on the birth stool, laying on her side with leg extended over the midwife’s shoulder. The list could go on and on. What I don’t see a lot of is a mother giving birth in a bed. Believe it or not, gravity is your friend and it works. Whatever position you choose is your choice. I am there to simply provide comfort to the best of my ability and make your story your own.
Birth seems like it could get messy. What do you do with the mess?
Birth is not as messy as you would think, but everything will be cleaned up once labor is over and when I leave there will be no evidence that a birth even took place… well, besides a new baby in your arms. I freshen the bathroom, start a load of laundry, get you something to eat that you have in your kitchen prepped beforehand, and even run you a warm herbal bath to relax in while you enjoy the comforts of your own home while treasuring the recent moments of just giving birth.
Is it okay to have my other children, family, and/or friends at the birth?
This is your story and I want to help you create the birth of your dreams. Who is present at your delivery is a personal choice and I am excited and blessed that you have chosen me to be a part of one of the most memorable times in your lives. Children have never been a problem if there is somebody else responsible for their care besides yourself and the people you are depending on for your personal labor support. Anybody including your children can be as active in the delivery as they choose to be. Some families choose to have a photographer present for deliveries, and I am perfectly comfortable with cameras snapping away. I have seen many chiropractors make a trip to the home during labor and after for adjustments. This is your story; you will be allowed to create it any way you choose.
What happens if you have more than one birth at a time?
While midwifery is what I have been called to do, I do choose to limit how many clients I take per month. First, it gives us both a sense of security that would limit the need for another midwife to attend in our place. Secondly, our families do not suffer the consequences of our long hours away from home that being a midwife requires. Finally, stress is decreased making life more enjoyable for all.
Do I need to make a birth plan?
I encourage all families to consider making a birth plan for both home and hospital in the case of an unexpected transport. I want your birth to be as close to what you dream it to be. Once you have created your plan, we will go over it in detail and it will be put in the front of your chart. Reviewing your birth plan is one of the first things I go over upon arrival. In the case of transport your hospital birth plan will assist our team and help be your voice in the event you or your partner are unable to do so.
How will we get a birth certificate and social security card?
We will fill out a birth certificate application and start the process once your baby arrives. The birth certificate is normally ready within approximately 1 week after it has been submitted and the social security card comes directly to your mailbox approximately 60-90 days after submission.
Are you certified in CPR?
Yes, all midwives in the state of Arkansas are required to be certified in CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation and is renewed every two years.
Do you collaborate with any CNM’s or OBGYN’s regarding concerns that may arise during pregnancy or birth?
While home births are still the minority, it is now becoming more recognized and accepted with our medical community. There are several OBGYN’s and CNM’s that are doing risk assessments for my clients and willing to help with consultations, referrals or transports when needed.
Recommended Resources:
Books:
Below listed are a few books that I love and witnessed make an immense difference in families education level regarding the process of natural childbirth and understand the benefits and reasons why natural childbirth is best in most cases.
The Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
By: Susan McCutcheon
Husband Coached Childbirth
By: Robert A. Bradley, M.D.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
By: Ina May Gaskin
Childbirth Without Fear
By: Grantly Dick-Read
Birth Partner
By: Penny Simkin
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth
By: Henci Goer
Gentle Birth Choices
By: Barbara Harper
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
By: La Leche League International
Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding
By: Ina May Gaskin
Breastfeeding Made Simple
By: Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tacket
The Nursing Mother’s Companion
By: Kathleen Huggins, RN, M.S.
Mama Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
By: Genevieve Howland
Helpful Websites:
www.cdc.gov
www.AAP.org
www.acog.org
www.midwife.org
www.spinningbabies.com
www.dancingforbirth.com
www.bradleybirth.com
www.us.hypnobirthing.com
www.llli.org
