Creative Ways to Pay for Non Conventional Birth Care

We'd like to thank Stacey Davis of Your Birth Time for sharing this blog post with us. Stacey is a doula, placenta encapsulation specialist, and postpartum wellness coach. 

There are many non conventional options regarding pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. These often are not related to physician or hospital care. These options may or may not be covered by your insurance. Things such as prenatal and postpartum massage, chiropractic care, birth doula support, placenta encapsulation, acupuncturist care the list can go on. The first step in determining what care you would like to receive would be to research the many options. Using research and your own self history can help you decide what non conventional care you would like during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Once you have decided what you want to implement in the care you receive then decide how you are going to pay for it. Here are five creative ways to pay for those services:

1.     Skip that treat, pocket the change. We all have that one treat we allow ourselves which may not be the best for our baby while we are pregnant or even breastfeeding. You know that Starbucks indulgence or bag of kisses stuffed in your top drawer. Skipping your daily Starbucks for one month could save you about $100!

2.     Barter or trade for partial services. Many non conventional birth workers will barter or trade for part of the services they offer. Do you have a special talent or does your husband, mom, dad or brother run a local business that would benefit your birth worker? Work out a trade. You could even offer to babysit or prepare meals for your birth worker when they are called to a birth or to assist a pregnant or postpartum mom.

3.     Create a registry for your birth services. Twenty dollars from ten of your close friends or family members comes up to $200. This could definitely help you pay for the birth services that you would like. Let’s face it, several of these family and friends would contribute much more than $20! Call your birth worker and ask them to work with you to come up with a registry for their services.

4.     Birthday, Christmas or baby gifts ask for cash in place of gifts. Gift cards are also another great option. Many birth workers are willing to work with you to create gift cards or gift certificates. I  know that asking friends and family for money instead of gifts can be a little uncomfortable. When you explain what it is for they will understand and be more than willing to accommodate.

5.     Check with your insurance, cafeteria plan or HSA. Yes many moms have gotten their insurance, cafeteria or HSA to cover these services, even doula care and some portion of home birth services. Talk with your local birth provider she will be the most familiar with how to arrange this for your area.

Tips For An Easier Pregnancy and Birth

Whether a woman is expecting her first or ninth baby, pregnancy and birth are important events in her life. Women who take time to prepare prenatally can have easier, more comfortable pregnancies and births. Here is a list of things that can help you as you prepare to give birth.

Hire a care provider

Many women today are looking for more natural birthing options, like un-medicated birth, water birth, delayed cord clamping, and immediate skin-to-skin with baby after the birth. Read some books on childbirth to find out what is important to you and then talk to your care provider and ask how he or she plans to support you in achieving the birth you desire. Remember, your doctor or midwife works for you, and it is in your best interest to hire one that is supportive of your desires.

Take a childbirth class

There are several different childbirth classes available today. Look for one that teaches the physiology of birth, how to stay healthy and low risk, the benefits, risks and alternatives for common medical procedures, and relaxation techniques. Every woman, whether planning a natural or medicated birth, needs to understand how her body will be working in labor and what options she has when giving birth. It is very empowering for a woman to go into her birthing time armed with the knowledge and the tools to help her give birth.

Hire a doula

A doula is a non-medical labor support person who is trained to help women throughout birth by providing information, as well as physical and emotional support. Statistically, women who have the support of a trained doula have shorter labors, fewer complications, decreased medication use, fewer cesarean sections, and increased overall birth satisfaction. A doula can be a great asset to all women in a variety of birthing situations and can help them achieve their goals for the birth they desire.

Schedule time to relax daily

Women who take time to relax daily have easier and more enjoyable pregnancies and labors. In labor, a woman’s birthing muscles function better when she is relaxed. Sign up for some yoga classes, practice meditation or hypnosis, or listen to classical music — do whatever makes you feel physically and mentally relaxed — and do it every day.

Eat well

Pregnancy provides a great opportunity to begin eating healthy, if you aren’t already doing so. Your diet will impact your health and your baby’s health. Replace processed foods and soda with whole foods and water. Read food labels and eat lots of fruits, vegetables and high-quality protein. When you eat well, you feel well.

Receive regular chiropractic care

Women who are regularly adjusted by a chiropractor throughout their pregnancies have much more comfortable pregnancies and labors. As a woman’s belly is expanding and growing, it can shift the spine out of alignment. Regular adjustments not only help ease pregnancy discomforts but also help your baby get into the best position for birth — head down, chin tucked, facing toward your back. When your baby is in the optimal fetal position, you will have an easier labor, and you will have more options as you give birth.

You will remember your child’s birth for the rest of your life, so make sure it is a good memory. Your educated choices can empower you as a woman and mother like no other event in life. Birth is unpredictable and full of surprises, so maintain flexibility as you plan for and expect the very best.

Kelly Colvin, HCHI, HCHD

*Originally published by The Spectrum Daily News on December 17, 2014