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Resources to Help Pay for Home Births

In the United States, the majority of births occur in hospitals, as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists traditionally has been opposed to home births. Even so, home births are on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, home births are expensive, usually costing between $1,500 and $3,000. There are few resources to help pay for home births, but with some creativity, you can defray the costs.

  1. Your Insurance Company

    • By far the best resource in paying for a home birth is insurance. Some insurance companies state outright that they won't cover home births. However, others cover home births by treating the midwife as an out-of-network provider. If you aren't sure whether your insurance will accept a home birth this way, check your policy. There should be something in the policy about home births. If there isn't, call your company and get a response in writing.

    Women's Advocacy Groups

    • There are hundreds of women's advocacy and home birth groups across the United States, such as the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, Citizens for Midwifery and Mothers Naturally. These groups don't usually pay for a home birth, but they may help you by organizing fundraisers or providing donated items. You most likely will have the best luck checking with local groups first. You can find these groups by contacting the Midwives Alliance of North America, searching for them on the MelissaData nonprofit group database website or by looking for home birth groups on networking websites such as Meetup. A list of groups also is available from the Welcome Home Birth website.

    Your Closet or Garage

    • Midwives don't always demand 100 percent of their fees in cash. Sometimes, if you let them know ahead of time what your situation is, midwives will barter with you for service, as suggested on The California Green Guide and Natural Birth and Baby Care websites. For example, you might be able to give them fresh foods from your garden, make them a quilt or give them a nice bookshelf or lamp set you don't use. They do this because they honestly want to help. If they can't personally use an item, they can sell it to cover the costs.

    Churches

    • Most churches collect some donations for those they know are in need. If you don't have insurance, members of your church may be willing to cover some costs for you to preserve your health and the health of your baby. When you approach your church, you also can emphasize the spiritual aspects of home birth and connecting to your newborn.

    Friends and Family

    • Friends and family may not be able to cover the entire cost of your home birth, but you may be able to meet expenses if each person gives just a little. Your family and friends also can help you save money by driving you to see your midwife, taking care of other kids you have during the birth (if desired) or purchasing the basic supplies you'll need, including, for example, towels and disposable undergarments for after the birth.

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