Making Homebirth Costs Accesible

Affording Homebirth

Paying out of pocket for midwifery care—often anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000—can feel out of reach at first. In our state, most homebirth midwives don’t work directly with insurance, which means families have to get creative and intentional when it comes to planning for this kind of care.

Here are some ways to help make homebirth financially possible:

Ask about HSA or FSA options
Midwifery care often qualifies for reimbursement through Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Ask your midwife if they can accept HSA/FSA card payments directly or provide a superbill for you to submit.

Request a payment plan
Many midwives are happy to offer payment plans—some possibly even extending into the postpartum period. Others offer discounts for early payment in full. It never hurts to ask. Most midwives genuinely want to make their care accessible for families who are committed to working with them.

Consider bartering or trade
If you or your partner have a skill or service to offer, it’s worth bringing it up. Some real-life examples of barters midwives have accepted:
• Photography or videography
• Handyman work or skilled trades
• Website design or branding help
• Herbal remedies, handmade goods, sewing, farm or garden products
• Regifted or unused gift cards
• Airline miles, hotel points, or access to a vacation home (consider asking friends or family members with a beach house or cabin to donate a weekend stay for your midwife’s family)
• Childcare, music lessons, or sports coaching for the midwife’s children

Many midwives are open-minded and resourceful—you won’t know unless you ask.

Start a Homebirth Fund
Instead of registering for baby gear or receiving dozens of onesies, some families create a fund specifically for midwifery care.
• Platforms like BeHerVillage allow you to register for birth and postpartum support
• GoFundMe can be used to share your story and raise funds
• A simple Venmo or CashApp tag can be shared at a baby shower or in a holiday card

People want to give meaningful gifts—inviting them to invest in your birth experience can be a powerful option.

Ask for financial contributions instead of gifts
Some families include a short note in their shower invites or baby announcements that says something like:

“In lieu of traditional gifts, we’re gathering support for a safe and peaceful homebirth experience.”

Look into a credit card with low or no interest
Opening a 0% interest credit card or one with travel reward points can be a short-term solution for some families—especially if you have a plan to pay it off gradually after the birth.

Start small, save monthly
Even setting aside $100–$300 per month during pregnancy adds up quickly. You might also consider using tax returns, bonuses, or selling unused items around the house. Pausing non-essential spending (subscriptions, take-out, etc.) for a few months can also create room in your budget.

Investing in homebirth care is not just about paying for a service—it’s about choosing a birth experience that aligns with your values, your body, and your intuition. It’s okay to get creative. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s absolutely okay to prioritize care that feels safe and sacred to you.