Yay! You're pregnant.   You want to have a home birth. You called the home birth midwife for more information but you are clueless on what to ask.  Most home birth midwives are open to a consultation appointment with you instead of a cold. call. Choosing a home birth midwife is an important decision. These questions can help families learn about a midwife's education, experience, philosophy, clinical practices, emergency planning, and approach to informed decision-making.

Education, Training & Experience

1. What type of midwife are you, and what credentials or certifications do you hold?
2. Where and how did you receive your midwifery education and clinical training?
3. How long have you been practicing as a midwife?
4. Approximately how many births have you attended?
5. How many births have you attended as the primary midwife?
6. What continuing education or certifications do you maintain?
7. Are you currently certified in CPR and neonatal resuscitation?
8. Are you licensed, certified, registered, or otherwise regulated in this state? What does that mean for my care?
9. Do you carry professional liability or malpractice insurance?
10. Do you work independently, with another midwife, or as part of a birth team?

Philosophy & Approach to Care

1. How would you describe your philosophy of pregnancy and birth?
2. What does informed consent and informed refusal look like in your practice?
3. How do you involve clients and families in decisions about their care?
4. How do you support cultural, spiritual, or family traditions surrounding pregnancy and birth?
5. How do you approach clients whose preferences differ from your recommendations?
6. What are your thoughts about eating, drinking, and movement during labor?
7. What birth positions do you commonly support?
8. How do you support clients who want a low-intervention birth?
9. How do you support clients who become anxious or fearful during pregnancy or labor?
10. How do you protect privacy, dignity, and confidentiality during care?

Prenatal Care

1. How often will I have prenatal visits?
2. How long is a typical prenatal appointment?
3. What happens during a typical prenatal visit?
4. What laboratory tests and screenings do you routinely recommend?
5. Which tests or procedures are optional, and how will you explain their benefits, risks, and alternatives?
6. How do you monitor my health and my baby's growth and well-being?
7. What pregnancy conditions might make someone ineligible for home birth in your practice?
8. How do you approach nutrition, supplements, herbs, and complementary therapies during pregnancy?
9. What childbirth education or preparation do you recommend?
10. How can I contact you when I have an urgent concern between appointments?

Labor & Home Birth

1. When should I call you when I think labor has started?
2. When do you typically come to the home during labor?
3. Who will attend my birth with you?
4. Will I meet your assistants or backup midwives before labor?
5. What equipment, medications, and emergency supplies do you bring to a home birth?
6. How do you monitor the baby's heart rate during labor?
7. How do you monitor the birthing parent's vital signs and overall condition?
8. What comfort measures do you offer or recommend for labor?
9. Do you attend water births, and if so, what guidelines do you use?
10. How long do you typically remain in the home after the baby is born?

Complications, Emergencies & Hospital Transfer

1. What complications are you trained and equipped to manage at home?
2. What emergency medications do you carry, and what situations might require them?
3. How are you prepared to manage postpartum hemorrhage?
4. How are you prepared to provide newborn resuscitation if a baby needs help breathing?
5. What situations would cause you to recommend transferring to a hospital during labor?
6. What is your plan for a non-emergency versus an emergency hospital transfer?
7. Which hospital would we usually transfer to, and how is that decision made?
8. If I transfer to the hospital, will you come with me or continue supporting me?

Postpartum, Newborn Care & Follow-Up

1. What postpartum and newborn care do you provide during the first hours, days, and weeks after birth?
2. What is included in your fee, what services cost extra, and what happens financially if I transfer to the hospital or do not ultimately give birth at home?
3. Do you provide lactation services or have a contact of others that might do that type of care?

At Blooming Moon Midwifery, we have very limited availability through the remainder of 2026. We are already starting to fill our calendar in 2027. 

Please contact us as soon as possible to establish care for due dates within our availability. 

You can also schedule a consultation to determine if midwifery care and homebirth will be a good fit for you. 

Please note that Toni has the following time scheduled off in 2027. 

• March 9-16, 2027
• October
• November
• December 30-31, 2027
• January 1-2, 2028

A backup midwife will be available for established clients during these dates. 

Contact us to learn more.

Are you planning for a baby in 2025?

IMPORTANT NOTE: Toni will be off call June 1 - July 15th and unavailable to attend your delivery. 

If you'd like to use Toni or Blooming Moon Midwifery for your home birth or water birth, please keep in mind that ovulation dates between September 1 - October 15th will result in an estimated due date of June/July 2025. 

If you are expecting, please reach out for a complimentary consultation to see if home birth is the right fit for you. 

I have a dream. 

Did you know?

The state of Mississippi consistently leads the country in adverse birth outcomes and C-section rates. Mississippi also boasts the lowest breastfeeding rates. 

Did you know?

Midwifery care can change all of that. In fact, studies have shown that midwifery care can improve outcomes even if someone doesn't birth with a midwife. I think people deserve to be born in a beautiful space with people who are welcoming them in the best way possible. Midwifery care is an age-old nuance that has been around forever. It works!

I have a dream that right here in the dirt of Mississippi we can create an oasis of sorts. I dream of a space where individuals can come and learn to be midwives in their own communities without the financial burden for training. I dream of a space where, if needed, people can come and birth safely without paying anything. I dream of a space where people can come for quality prenatal care at no cost to them. I dream of a location where birth workers can come for a complimentary reprieve to prevent burnout.

My dream is for approximately 10 acres of land with a couple of small houses where people can give birth. They would also serve as a space for individuals to come learn the art and wisdom of practicing traditional midwifery. This would be a place where herbs can grow freely and you can learn southern herbalism. It would be a space for teaching homeopathy and have an apothecary. It would be a homestead of sorts with an herbal garden and even bees for local honey. 

I have a dream. 

Will you help this dream come true?

Donations can be made via Venmo to @Toni-Hill-11.

Midwifery Assistant Training with Toni Hill.

Learn everything you need to know to assist
​a midwife in the homebirth setting.

June 15-16, 2022
9 am - 6 pm both days

Blooming Moon Midwifery Center
1800 West Main St. Box 9, Suite 201
Tupelo, MS 38801


This course will include...

• virtual class space access
• in-person skills lab
• certification once skills are completed

Once you have made your payment, please complete the online registration form.
Payment plan options are available here.

​Hi! I am so glad you’re here. What an honor to be featured on the site of the skilled and loving woman who supported me during my agonizing first labor and who caught my firstborn!
 
Every single parent I know wants the best for their children. Likewise, I know that every single person is doing the best that they can in any given moment. Whether during pregnancy, postpartum, or the different stages of parenting and life, our children and relationships have an uncanny ability to reveal our strongest fears and deepest pain. Journeying inside ourselves to transcend that pain into connection with ourselves, our children, and those around us takes profound courage and often safe guidance.
 
I partner with people who need support to regulate their emotions, heal trauma, and thrive in their families. My particular passions include:

• maternal mental wellness
• conscious/mindful parenting
• and the power of play

I'm Michelle Gaines, a Conscious Parenting Coach, trained and certified by Dr. Shefali. I also use my background in social justice and education to demystify our emotional processes and to empower clients with the awareness and agency to take charge of their unique healing journey.
 
All my sessions are Telehealth over Zoom, no geographical restrictions, and the first 30-minute consultation is always FREE. No obligations/strings attached. Click here to set up your first FREE, 30-minute consultation. I love emails and DM’s on Instagram from people who want to connect or learn more.
 
I am also currently offering one FREE 60-minute coaching session for pregnant/postpartum moms during our COVID-19. Email me at [email protected] with COVID in the subject line to set up your FREE 60-minute session.
 
Regardless of how you move forward, I hope you know:

1. Your experiences make sense; there is a reason you feel the way you do and absolutely nothing wrong with you.
2. Change is possible; you do NOT need to be stuck and alone in a place of struggle.
3. Your body CAN and WANTS to support you. You just might need a little help right now.

 
I would love to support you in this work.

We've recently added several new herbal products to our online shop. 

POKE SALVE: This versatile salve is great for just about anything. It contains wild-crafted Poke RootOrganic Beeswax, Grape Seed Oil,  and Shea Butter. Get a 2 ounce tin for $16. 

ELDERBERRY SYRUP KITS: Everything you need to make your own elderberry syrup. Just add water! Purchase a pack for $25. 

"ALMOST THERE" SET: This package is perfect for the mama who is in her third trimester and will be delivering soon. The set includes our signature Full Bloom Mama Tea blend to be enjoyed as a tea or infusion. This tea is good for third trimester as well as postpartum. This is paired with our signature 4th Trimester Herbal Blend which can be used as a perineal wash, herbal bath, or yoni steam.  Grab both for $25. 

BETTAH BOOTY BUTTER: This balm is specifically formulated to stop the discomfort of hemorrhoids. This multipurpose salve can also be used as a protectant for baby bums.  Our butter has comfrey and chamomile blossoms grown right in our garden in Mississippi, as well as organic beeswax from Mississippi bees, organic rose, extra virgin olive oil, and raw shea butter.  Only $12 per jar. 

It seems that 2021 is already off to a busy start.

At this time, we are full and unable to provide midwifery care to new clients with estimated due dates between January - July 2021.

We currently have 2 openings for August 2021 due dates. 

For those who find themselves expecting September - December, please contact us quickly to schedule a consultation. 

If your family is about to grow through the addition of a new bundle of joy, you’re in for a world of wondrous change. Welcoming a new child is exciting, but it can also be confusing and worrisome. You’ll be introducing another human life with their own wants and needs into your world. If you have disabilities, that confusion and worry are taken many steps further because you have special considerations to face. However, Blooming Moon Midwifery Services invites you to consider the following preparations you can make before the little one’s arrival that will simplify your life and help you relish the experience of parenthood. 
 
Home Sweet Home
 
Your home should be your refuge from the daily stresses and a place that has adequate space for you and your loved ones. It should be accessible to all family members and meet your needs. If you decide your growing family is outgrowing your current home, it may be time to find something bigger. First, determine what you can comfortably afford and then do some online research to investigate prices for homes that are the right size and in the right location. For instance, an online search for Tupelo, Mississippi, will reveal that the median price for homes sold in the last month was $139,400.
 
From there, you should consider how much you can contribute, whether a loan is an option, and what it will cost for modifications. Depending on the disability you have, you may consider modifications in the bathroom, widening doors, installing railings and ramps, taking out carpeting and installing hardwood floors (or vice versa), removing door knobs, and so forth. You may not know exactly what you need until you’re in your home, but you can start tackling the known issues before your bundle of joy arrives.
 
Getting by with a Little Help from Your Friends
 
All parents are faced with obstacles, but if you’re a parent with disabilities, you’re faced with some unique circumstances. Whatever your situation, you’re not alone and there are resources to help alleviate the challenges. If you’re seeking assistance to modify your home, there are programs available that cater to specific criteria. For instance, if you’re a veteran with a disability, the Army Wounded Warrior Program and the Department of Veterans Affairs can help. There are grants available to help you get adaptable equipment and opportunities. Government programs offer assistance in the form of health insurance (Medicaid), monthly income (Social Security/disability), or home modification assistance (AmeriCorps).
 
Pave the Way with a Little Planning
 
Along with a new child will come new and unexpected expenses — baby gear, toys, insurance, diapers, doctor visits, food, and clothes add up. Becoming a parent means you’ll have to make choices not only for yourself but for someone who depends on you. Before your baby arrives, you should tackle your finances. Figure out how much is coming in, how much is going out, what unnecessary expenses you can cut that will result in immediate savings, and what expenses you know you can prepare for. Start getting in the habit before your baby arrives.
 
Above all, make sure your newest addition to the family has health insurance, and consider opening a health savings account, where you contribute untaxed money that can be applied to your health-related expenses. Don’t forget to also plan for your own self-care, which includes exercise, meals, sleep, and relaxation. It’s never too early to start preparing. 
 
After processing the initial emotions of welcoming a baby into the world, it will be time to get to work and plan for the future. If you have a disability, two things are important to remember. First, you’re not alone, and there are resources to help you along the way. Second, you can plan ahead and conquer some of the known obstacles, such as finances and finding a new home, so that when the time comes to deal with the obstacles, you have a plan of attack. The more knowledge you have, the better off you will be. 
 

Blooming Moon Midwifery Services understands the overwhelm associated with expecting a child. To help you through every step of the process, from prenatal visits to testing to labor and birth support, we’re here to hold your hand as you prepare for the wonderful journey ahead.


Written By: Ashley Taylor  |  [email protected]  |  disabledparents.org
​

Greetings!

We hope you and your families are well. There are hundreds of expectant families wondering if this global pandemic will affect them, their pregnancy, their family, and their unborn baby. We assure you we have the same concerns for ourselves, our own families, our clients, and community as well. Midwives have been rooted in every community since communities began. Our care for women and their families has been a pillar in every community on the planet. The idea that women can physiologically have their babies without intervention is not new. Physiological birth, also known as low intervention, or “natural” birth has been shown to be very beneficial for mothers and babies worldwide.

For good reason, there are lots of families who have some anxiety surrounding their impending birth. Some are finding out daily that things are changing at their chosen birth location and are unsure what birth will look like when their time comes to welcome their new baby. We assure you that your concerns are not unheard. The midwives of Mississippi Midwives’ Alliance hear your concerns and hold those and other concerns close to our hearts.

Midwives are frontline workers when it comes to the care of low risk mothers and babies in out of hospital environments. Some families choose midwifery care as soon as they have the earliest inkling that they may have a baby on the way the same way others choose the medical model of care. Mississippi has too few midwives who specialize in out of hospital birth. Mississippi does not currently provide licensure for midwives. Most insurance companies do cover out of hospital birth. Many practices are full many months in advance.

The midwives of MMA understand that parents are facing many new restrictions at their medical facility of choice. This is a scary and uncertain time, with hospital policies changing almost hourly. There may be some midwives who are taking new clients, but many don't have the capacity to take clients late to care. Keep in mind, even though clients are coming into care late, fees can’t be discounted and the strict criteria we maintain for low risk mothers remains the same.

Midwives, like many OB/GYN practices, have gone to some telemedicine visits with their clients. Families may find that some midwives can begin telemed prenatals, even though the midwife may not be able to provide care during the birth of the baby. Some midwives also can be very helpful in the time postpartum by doing postpartum telemed, lactation counseling, or general health assessments for new parents and their newborns. Each midwife will be different in what she decides to do for her community so utilize our directory and contact each midwife directly with any individual questions. Expectant families will find that midwives will be happy to hear from them and answer any question they have during a consultation.

Cordially,
​
The midwives’ of the MMA

I recently shared 10 creative ways to pay for a home birth. Today, I am so excited to be able to offer a new payment option to my patients through United Medical Credit. This company works directly with individuals to help you get the amount needed to cover your home birth. The process is relatively quick and you should expect to receive a response the next business day. They offer affordable monthly payments with repayment plans up to 60 months and no penalty for early pay offs. 

I absolutely love meeting new people! That's part of the joy with a consultation. 

What is a consultation?

Consultations are a way for you and your partner to meet a provider who will listen and find out everything that’s important to you and your upcoming pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. These provide an opportunity for you to find out whether or not we are a good fit to move forward with your pregnancy. Likewise, consultations are a way for me to determine if I’m able to serve you best or if I need to make suggestions of other midwives in the area.

What to ask?

Consultations are great way for you to get all of your basic questions answered about your upcoming plans for an out-of-hospital birth.  Not sure what to ask?  Get more information here: 51 Questions to Ask Your Home Birth Midwife.

Is home birth right for me?

It’s awesome that we live in an environment where out-of-home birth and in-home birth is an option for all moms. Consultations may help you find out whether not you are a good candidate for home birth. Some moms will discover something that makes them more high-risk and see that hospital birth is a better option for them and their babies. Home birth is for low-risk, healthy moms and babies.

How do I find a midwife in Mississippi?

Consultations are a way for you to meet with the midwives in your area to find one that is right for you. You can find information about local providers through the Association of Mississippi Midwives. To learn more about midwifery in MS visit Better Birth Mississippi.

How to schedule a consultation?

Contact me to schedule your consultation or view my calendar. 

I absolutely love being a midwife!  If we didn’t have to feed this growing family, put gas in our car, pay for a roof over our head, use electricity, and have a smart phone / internet service along with all of the things that have to be kept in order to stay in constant contact with clients, I would be able to practice Midwifery for free. That would be a dream but, unfortunately, this is not the life we live. Midwifery care is not aways covered in the same way as standard obstetrics care.  

I’m often asked how people can afford to have a midwife. It's definitely a luxury for some households, especially with the fees that we charge to provide this service. Curious about the cost? Find out what all is included in the home birth fee. Please understand that home birth charges are quite small in comparison to a hospital birth. However, I do understand that it does not come without sacrifice for some families. 

I want to talk a little today about how some families afford to have a home birth.

1. SAVINGS

I’m often contacted from mothers after their first baby about what home birth is like. Often families discover that a hospital birth was not a good fit for them.  If you are looking into home birth and it’s something that you believe is a possibility for your future, I would suggest starting a savings account now for future babies.

2. PRIVATE INSURANCE

Private insurance does not typically pay for out of hospital midwifery care in Mississippi. Call them now before you get pregnant to find out if they provide coverage.  Ask them if they have coverage for a  non-nurse out of hospital home birth midwife in an unregulated state. If they do, great! Within my practice, you will still be responsible for all of your fees upfront before your birth.  At the end of your care you will receive an insurance invoice (complete with appropriate billing codes) that you will be able to submit for reimbursement. If they require additional paperwork or signatures we will work with you, not your insurance company directly. 

3. MEDICAID

Currently in the state of Mississippi, Medicaid does not provide reimbursement for families who select out of hospital midwifery care for their babies. People often ask if I accept Medicaid. If they would pay me, I would. I am hopeful for a day when our government officials recognize the benefits of midwifery care and breastfeeding outcomes for women with limited resources. Until then, I continue to keep fees as reasonably priced as possible for all families.  

4. BARTER

Long ago people would often trade midwifery care for  eggs, milk, or time worked in the Midwives garden, etc. In today's society, bartering is often looked it as a thing of the past. Personally, I love a good barter! If you are looking into midwifery care and have a service or product, that might be something that we can barter. I am always open to offering fair market price in exchange for the care that I provide to families. Here's a list of items that would be beneficial to our family and suitable for bartering.

5. GIFTS
​
Some families ask for home birth midwifery care as their gift from families and friends. When you get pregnant everybody wants to give you all the things that they think are perfect and right for you. If midwifery care is what you want, put that on the registry! If you are having a baby shower, gender reveal, or other type party (whether virtual or in person) contact me and I'll be happy to give info on how your family and friends can add money to your midwifery account.  

6. CROWDFUNDING

Crowdfunding sites have become a social media beast. We spend so much time on social media connecting with family, friends, and even meeting new friends. I have seen a rise in people using platforms like Go Fund Me to raise funds for their own personal medical care. I recently actually saw a family who raised funds for their midwifery care and were able to get everything they needed plus a little extra for a car seat. Sometimes you have to be a bit creative to determine how to afford the care you really want. 

7. HEALTH SPENDING ACCOUNTS

Some families have used flexible spending accounts (FSA) and healthcare spending accounts (HSA) to pay for their midwifery care. Please contact me about how you can make a payment with your FSA/HSA card or check  towards healthcare for your and your new baby. 

8. CREDIT CARDS

You might also look into paying for your midwifery care with a credit card or a personal bank loan. Just be careful about signing up for something with a high interest rate. Opening a low-interest account or taking advantage of a special is how some families pay for their home birth. Sometimes opening a new credit card will give you a special cash back offer so be on the lookout for those deals! 

9. DECLUTTER

At some point, we all find ourselves with too much of one thing or not enough of something else. Some families find it effective to raise money for their home birth by getting rid of things that they no longer need, use, can't fit, or forgot they had around the house.  Consider a yard sale, putting things on Craigslist, or utilizing Buy-Sell-Trade pages. This is a great way to make some extra funds to pay for your upcoming home birth and it helps make room for baby! 

10. BE CREATIVE! 

Figure out something that will generate funds short term.  Maybe a second job, babysitting, house cleaning, holiday decorating (I sure could use this one), personal shopping, and more. The list can go on and on.    

I would love to hear what worked for you!  Drop it in the comments or send me a message. 
​
No matter how you decide to pay for your Midwifery care, you will see that it does take a little planning. Start early to figure out how you will be able to pay for the care that you and your baby both deserve. For my clients, I also offer payment plans that can be spaced throughout your pregnancy so that you can start receiving midwifery care right away. 

Contact me today to schedule a complimentary consultation to learn more about home birth. ​

Every now and then, I host an informal class/discussion for women who are interested in the journey into midwifery.  This class is based on home birth midwifery in Mississippi mostly and just goes over the process into the world of becoming a midwife.  We will pay special attention to the PEP process with NARM, finding a preceptor, what it's like to be an apprentice, and anything else that comes up in the discussion.  The next class is scheduled for May 29, 2018 at 5:00.  If you are interested in attending, feel free to use the PayPal link below to submit your $10 fee.  After it is submitted you will receive an email confirmation and link to a form to complete prior to class.  Those who are registered will be notified in the event that I am at a birth and need to reschedule.  

Hope to see youthere.