Frequently asked
questions

Is home birth legal?

Yes! In Iowa, only Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are legal and licensed to attend home births, carry oxygen, and administer any necessary medications

What is a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)?

While both CNMs and CPMs are committed to serving women and families, though their education and certification – their scope of practice and education differs.

In addition to attending births, CNMs can:

• Order and interpret labs and ultrasounds

• Diagnose and manage common health conditions

• Prescribe medications when needed

• Provide annual exams and gynecologic care

• Support women through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause

• Collaborate with physicians and specialists when additional care is needed

This unique combination of medical training and personalized midwifery care allows CNMs to support both physiologic birth and whole-person wellness.

Learn more about different types of midwives.

Is home birth safe? 

Home birth is safe for low-risk pregnancies and babies with trained midwives. Recent high-quality studies confirm lower rates of cesarean birth, perineal trauma, and infection when compared to low-risk hospital births and without increasing the rates of maternal or neonatal mortality.

What happens if there is an emergency?

Emergencies are rare during physiologic birth in a low-risk mother and baby. We are trained and experienced in managing emergencies such as shoulder dystocia, newborn resuscitation, and postpartum hemorrhage. 

Do you accept insurance?

We do not accept insurance, but we will provide you with a billing summary for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please call your insurance company to inquire about out-of-network and home birth coverage.