We offer placental encapsulation/tinctures, breast milk soap & freeze-drying services

Welcome & Congratulations!!

You should have the birth you desire !

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What We Do

Midwifery Model of Care VS Medical Model of Care

Midwifery care is uniquely nurturing, hands-on care before, during and after birth. Midwives are healthcare professionals specializing in low risk pregnancy and childbirth who develop a trusting relationship with their clients, which results in a confident, supported labor and birth.

The midwifery model of care differs from the medical model of care in respect to the responsibility of care, how pregnancy is viewed, definitions of care and the type of care.

A prominent difference between the two models of maternity care centers on "the responsible party". In the medical model the doctor is the one primarily responsible for making decisions. In the midwifery model, however, the responsibility is placed on the parents for their own well-being and for that of their unborn baby.

Doctors utilize pharmaceuticals and technological interventions while midwives employ natural remedies focusing on preventive care, diet, exercise, early assessment of conditions requiring referral to a higher level of care when necessary, and support of spouse, friends and family.

Pregnancy is viewed as a pathological state in obstetric care where so many things can and may go wrong whereas midwives view pregnancy as a natural, healthy stage of life. The medical model looks at mom and baby as separate beings while midwives see them as one during pregnancy.

The differences in the two models of care are due largely to how the two are taught and their expertise. Midwives care for and support the healthy pregnancy and birth while physicians are the experts in treating complications. Both are hugely essential for caring for expectant moms and babies everywhere.

Labor and Birth

Having a baby should be a positive experience, so our main focus is to create a safe and comfortable environment for you to bring your baby into the world and begin bonding immediately. We believe you should be free to move about in labor finding positions that work for YOU. We also believe you should take in light nourishment to power your 'labor' of love. You and/or your husband want to 'catch' your baby? We LOVE those births!!

Postpartum and Newborn Care

Our job isn’t done once the delivery is over. Your midwife will stay in close contact with you after your birth to provide any assistance you need. The day following your birth she will do your baby’s newborn screen (if you agree to it). It is a heelstick that tests for 50+ congenital conditions of the newborn. She will check mom and baby’s vital signs to be sure they are both settling in after baby’s arrival. We are happy to discuss any concerns/requests you might have.

Midwife

I‘ve been a Registered Nurse for 40 years and a Licensed Midwife in SC for 21 years. I‘m a believer. I’m married (almost 39 years), have 6 grown children, 2 sons-in-law, 2 daughters-in-law, 11.5 grandbabies (so far) and live on a small homestead in Hopkins, SC (SE Columbia) where I garden and raise chickens, rabbits and goats for eggs, milk and meat. I love sewing, crafts, making cheeses, ferments, soaps, body butters and canned goods and am an instrumentalist in our churches praise team.

Screening Questions

Contact us directly with any questions you may have. Please include:

1. Address
2. Date of last period
3. Due date
4. Have you been seeing a healthcare provider with this pregnancy ?
5. Ht / Wt
6. Your date of birth
7. How many times have you been pregnant? Were they delivered full-term ? C-section?
8. History of hypertension, diabetes, anemia or other ?
9. Do you take any medications ?
10. Method of payment
11. Do you have insurance? Which?

Homesteady Homebirth, LLC

2805 Millwood Avenue, Suite M, Columbia, South Carolina 29205, United States

803.467.7109 Denesenorris@gmail.com For videos and great content see our Facebook page: <<https://www.facebook.com/Homesteady-Homebirth-LLC-103646468730042/<<

Hours

Office Hours:

Monday: By appt only

Tuesday: By appt only

Wednesday: By appt only

Thursday: By appt only

Friday: By appt only

Labor Service:
Available 24/7

Emergency Service:
Please call 911

Our Services

Schedule your first consultation

Our services cover

A free consultation
A review of your medical history
Full prenatal care--our prenatal visits each last about 60 min

Monthly office visits until 28 wks

Bi-monthly office visits until 36 wks

Weekly office visits until delivery

One prenatal home visit

Birth attendance by two professionals
Newborn exam and breast feeding support
Postpartum visit in your home at 24-36 hrs
Postpartum 2 wk office check
Postpartum

Placental Encapsulation

Your placenta will be freeze dried to preserve the most nutrients. We only process one placenta at a time to ensure there is no cross contamination or possible mix ups. Everything that comes into contact with your placenta is carefully sanitized. Price Includes pick up and delivery of capsules/placenta within a 30 mile distance. Beyond 30 miles there will be an additional cost

Encapsulation

$150 for my homebirth clients/$225 for all others

Placental tincture add on: $25 (4 oz dropper-bottle)

**Most insurances do not reimburse Licensed Midwives in SC. We can provide you with a superbilll if you wish to attempt to get reimbursement from your insurance company but our fee will be an out of pocket expense spread over your entire pregnancy. Homesteady Homebirth, LLC accepts cash, check, Venmo, Zelle and PayPal

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at denesenorris@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is a licensed midwife (LM) ?

LM's in SC are trained perinatal professionals qualified to care for healthy, low risk women and newborns through pregnancy, childbirth and up to 6 wks postpartum. They provide out of hospital birth in your home or at a birth center. They do not have hospital priviledges as CNM's do.

I notice you are an RN and a midwife. Are you a certified nurse midwife (CNM) ?

No, I am am not a CNM. CNM’s and LM’s (Licensed Midwives) are two different things and often practice VERY differently. A CNM is a nurse who has continued her studies to a Masters degree or higher and practices primarily in hospitals and birth centers (a select few do homebirths). LM’s are not usually nurses, attend women who wish to have homebirths and MAY work in birth centers but do NOT practice within hospitals. CNM’s typically can bill insurance companies while many LM’s do not

What is your fee and do you accept insurance as a Licensed Midwife ?

It is not that I/we do not accept insurance it is that insurance companies do not reimburse us well (if at all) as LM’s. Samaritan Ministry Share DOES work with us but it is the ONLY one I am aware of. It is technically NOT insurance but a share program that works similarly to health insurance. You will be responsible for my fee ($5000) but it will be spread over your entire pregnancy. If you seek care early in your pregnancy that works out to a $500 registration fee and $300 per visit (roughly). My fee does not cover the 2 doctor visits you need (approx $150 each visit), any labs and or ultrasounds you need (your insurance typically pays for them), your birth kit ($45), childbirth classes (if desired), birth tub (if desired) and my birth assistant (up to $300)

Am I a good candidate for an out-of-hospital birth?

Because we only care for healthy, low risk women--this is an important question. Our goal is a safe and healthy mom and baby so not all women are a good candidate for a homebirth. At your consultation we will asess your personal health to ensure that you are a good midwifery candidate. We provide an ongoing risk assessment throughout your pregnancy as well in the event anything changes. Our clients must be committed to healthy lifestyles (diet and exercise) and without chronic health conditions. The following pre-existing conditions or risk factors would be considered high risk or outside the scope for safe OOH birth for our practice in SC (please note that this is not an exhaustive list and that there may be other unique situations where someone may be considered high risk):

Insulin-dependent diabetic or gestational diabetic that necessitates medication to manage glucose readings.
Hypertension (high BP)
Current smoker
History of cervical incompetence with or without surgical treatment
Rh or other blood group isoimmunization
Multiples in pregnancy (twins or higher order multiples)
Previous uterine scar (from a c/s or other surgery on uterus)

What about labs and ultrasounds?

All labs are drawn in office and sent to Lab Corp. Basic lab panels are required according to midwifey law, our state regulations and/or practice guidelines. Labs and U/S's are typically covered by insurance. If you do not have insurance basic labs are run through Professional Co op services at a cash rate of approx $250. U/S are approx $300

Referrals for U/S's are to local MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine). We limit their use to medical necessity.

The dating scan usually done 8-12 weeks if unsure of dates
An anatomy scan usually done 20-22 wks looks at all the baby's vital structures and tells us where your placenta is located
Growth scans are offered but may not be necessary if baby is measuring according to dates

If I am using Homesteady Homebirth, LLC for my care do I need to also see a doctor?

In SC LM's are required to send their clients to a doctor or Advanced Practice RN (CNM or NP) for two visits: One at the beginning of your pregnancy and another around 36-37 wks. If you are transferring care from an OB those visits count as your initial required visit. The cost of those two visits are about $150 each

Do I have to test for Gestational Diabetes?

Yes (in some form). Our consulting providers need some documentation that glucose numbers are within normal limits to label you low risk. You can choose to do the one hour glucose challenge in our office using Fresh Test or 2 weeks of diet logging and finger sticks. Finger sticks to be done fasting and either 1 hr or 2 hrs after each meal each day for two weeks.

What about the mess?

Birth isn't as messy as you'd think. Your birth kit contains much of what we need to protect your space. Before we leave we gather trash--usually contained in one simple trash bag and put in your dumpster and throw in a load of laundry. There will be hardly any evidence you birthed except for the sweet new baby tucked into bed with you.

What supplies will I need to provide?

Around 34 weeks you will order a custom birth kit (about $45) that contains all of the disposable items for your birth. You will also be given a list of other items you will use to set up your space for home delivery (sheets, towels, wash cloths, heating pad, flashlight, etc)

What if my midwife has an emergency or is sick when I go into labor?

Your midwife works with a small group of similarly practicing midwives who've agreed to cover each other in cases of emergency

What if birth doesn't go as planned?

MW's are trained to handle certain complications at home and to recognize complications that require a hospital transport. Throughout labor we'll be intermittently monitoring baby using a fetal doppler. This allows us to listen for changes in baby's heart rate so that he/she can let us know how they are tolerating labor. IF the baby's heart rate tells us they are not tolerating labor we will transport to hospital. During a transport in most situations your LM will accompany you if you desire, if hospital policy allows and if no other clients are in labor. Your LM will call ahead to inform hospital staff and will fax your records to them After discharge from the hospital your LM will resume postpartum care as previously planned. Depending on the urgency of the transport you will travel to the hospital in your vehicle or we will call EMS.

Each member of our team is certified in adult and infant CPR and NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation). Resuscitation equipment and oxygen is available at every delivery in case of emergency.

At your 36-37 wk collaborating provider appt you will receive prescriptions criptionsfor any meds you want fro baby (eye antibiotic ointment, Vitamin K) and meds for postpartum hemorrhage (pitocin, methergine and misoprostol) just in case.

What types of pain control can I get at home?

We do not offer any type of pain relief medications in labor at home. BUT labor is less uncomfortable when you are not confined to the bed, when you are not receiving Pitocin to shorten labor or when your choices for positions aren't limited. You may wish to hire a doula for extra support (epecially if this is your first baby or your first unmedicated labor). You may desire hydrotherapy (water birth). Many call it nature's epidural. This is your birth. You get to call the shots!

Welcome & Congratulations!!

You should have the birth you desire !