Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is this a better way to do pregnancy care? 

A: Our way of doing care provides you with long appointments (including in the evenings or on weekends) where you can truly get to know us, and we can get to know you. The average doctors office will allow your provider to spend a total of 45 minutes with you TOTAL throughout your entire pregnancy! (And that's assuming you see the same provider each time). Our first prenatal appointments alone are 2 hours long. By the time you're ready to deliver, we've gotten to know each other really well, and we've had time do develop trust, whereas in a traditional OB office, you have NO IDEA who will actually be on call the day you have your baby!

Q: How do I afford this? 

A: A home birth represents a substantial investment, for sure. To make this more affordable, we offer payment plans, so you can stretch your payments out over time. We also offer a sliding-scale fee schedule for military families! 

Q: Is home birth safe? 

A: For healthy, low-risk women, having a baby at home is every bit as safe as delivering in a hospital. In addition, women who deliver at home have far fewer cesarean births, lower chance of vacuum or forceps-assisted delivery, and a drastically lower episiotomy rate. 

Q: What kind of education/training does my midwife have? 

A: Marissa completed a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Nurse-Midwifery from Georgia College & State University in 2025. Before her life as a midwife, she worked as a labor & delivery nurse for over 4 years, after 7 years as a certified birth & bereavement doula, childbirth educator, and placenta specialist.

Q: What if something happens? 

A: Childbirth is a natural, beautiful process, but is not entirely without risk. Things can and do go sideways, and emergency measures must be taken. Your midwife has experience managing obstetric emergencies and has all the same emergency supplies that the hospital does (minus an operating room). In the event we need emergency care, EMS will be called, report will be provided to the receiving hospital, and your midwife will stay with you to ensure a smooth transfer of care.

Q: How does prenatal care work? 

A: Prenatal visits are usually done in the clinic, and are typically an hour or so in length. Exams, basic ultrasounds, and lab collection are all done at the clinic. We also have appointments available on evenings and weekends, to ensure that spouses/partners can be there. We do refer our clients to Maternal-Fetal Medicine for anatomy ultrasounds, and to other specialists as necessary. 

Q: What happens after baby is born? 

A: After your baby is born, your placenta is delivered, and any repairs are completed, your midwife will be around for at least a few more hours, to monitor you and your baby, as well as to do your baby’s first exam, administer medications (if desired) to baby, and keep a close eye on your bleeding, pain etc. After that, we’ll help clean up, make sure you are fed and tucked comfortably in bed, and then we’ll go home for a bit. We are always just a call/text away and will be back the next day to check on you both. After that, we’ll stop by as often as you need us to. We want to make sure that you are safe, comfortable, and that any concerns or issues you may have are addressed. We will file the necessary paperwork for birth certificates and social security cards with the state. 

Q: What if I want to decline vaccinations, medications, lab tests, or anything else? 

A: This is your baby, your body, and your birth. We will support your choices, as only you are in a position to determine what is best for you and your baby. 

Q: Can my midwife see me for anything other than pregnancy? 

A: Yes! As a Certified Nurse Midwife, Marissa can see you for a wide range of things, such as primary care needs, annual exams (including Pap tests, if needed), breast cancer screening, period issues, birth control, etc. 

Q: How does payment work? 

A: A home birth costs a flat rate of $6,500, not counting lab costs (usually covered by insurance) or unforeseen referrals. We will make a monthly payment plan for you to pay gradually, over the course of your pregnancy. After deposit, the typical monthly payment is between $650 and $900, depending on how early in your pregnancy you start care. We will work with you, however, to help you afford your payments, if at all possible. Because we have far more people interested in delivering with us than we can safely take, we require a deposit before your first prenatal appointment to hold your spot. After your pregnancy, we will provide a "superbill" that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. 

Q: Can I see you for just prenatal care, and then deliver in a hospital? 

A: Yes! We understand that home birth is not for everyone, and we would still like to provide you with personalized, excellent quality prenatal care. 

Q: What if I need something in the middle of the night, or on weekends? 

A: This is what cell phones are for! Clients will receive Marissa's personal phone number upon establishing care. If it’s important enough that you’re worried, PLEASE call. For routine questions or issues, you can text any time, weekends and evenings included.