FAQs

What is a midwife?

Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is certified by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). CPMs work autonomously and do not require the supervision of a medical doctor. CPMs provide pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care for women outside of the hospital—often in birth centers and homes. CPMs are not able to prescribe most medications.
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM®) are registered nurses with graduate education in midwifery. They have graduated from a nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). This education includes a university degree as well as hands-on clinical training by practicing CNMs. They also have passed the national certification exam of the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). CNMs are able to prescribe a full range of substances, medications, and treatments, including pain control medications. CNMs work in many different settings, such as hospitals, health centers, private practices, birth centers, and homes.
Both midwives are trained to provide general women’s health care throughout a woman’s lifespan. These services include general health check-ups and physical exams; pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care; and well woman gynecologic care.
What is a Midwife?

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

A midwife provides medical care for both mom and baby. A midwife is going to check heart rates and blood temperature. Basically, a midwife’s job is to make sure mom and baby are okay, that baby is born safely and healthy.
A doula provides birth support to mom, both physically and emotionally – perhaps suggest breathwork or provide a lower back massage. A partner can even stand in as a doula.

How are services different between a midwife and an OBGYN?

GRACEFULL CARE SERVICES

Low-risk pregnancy specialist
Checks blood pressure
Listens to baby’s hear trate
Measures fundal height
Draw labs
Prescriptions
Suturing
Ultrasounds
Follows obstetrical schedule of prenatal visits
24/7 emergency access
One-hour prenatal visits
Weekend and evening visits
General education about body, birth, and postpartum period
Time to see and hear your personal concerns
Labor sitting (sitting with you the entire time during active labor)
No rushing of care during immediate postpartum
Delayed clamping and cutting of cord
Informed consent and education for all labs, medicine, and injections
Immediate newborn assessment at birth
Assisting baby to latch during breastfeeding
Initial postpartum visit at home
Newborn visit at home
(3) additional postpartum visits for mom and newborn
(4) lactation assessments
Nutritional assessment and coaching
Exercise assessment and education
Discussion on all labs and tests before they happen
Informed consent of all labs and ultrasounds on pregnant person’s body and baby’s body
Free breastfeeding class
Free infant care class
Free class on emotional and mental prep for birth
Access to educational handouts

OBGYN CARE SERVICES

Low-risk pregnancy specialist
Checks blood pressure
Listens to baby’s heart rate
Measures fundal height
Draw labs
Prescriptions
Suturing
Ultrasounds
Follows obstetrical schedule of prenatal visits
24/7 emergency access

How can I schedule a consultation?

Please go to our Classes>GraceFull Zoom Classes page and sign up for our virtual group interviews, held (almost) every Sunday 1:30-3pm. We hold group consultations with our owner Elizabeth Bachner and our midwives over Zoom, where they answer all of your questions and more! If you would like to know more about GraceFull, our care, how we work, who our midwives are, and our philosophy, we encourage you to join us!

What about pain management?

Pain management is offered through different birthing positions, along with using the Rebozo technique and birth swings. We also offer nitrous oxide.

What if we have complications during pregnancy?

If there are complications during your pregnancy, our midwives will discuss your options with you in great detail. You will also have access to our backup doctors who can provide a second opinion and can provide care for the rest of the pregnancy. Our backup doctors are people who have the same birth philosophy as GraceFull and sees and hears all our patients.

What is your C-section rate?

Our vaginal birth rate is 91%, one of the highest in Los Angeles.

Can I give birth in water ?

Yes! You can either rent or buy a birthing tub for home births or use our whirlpool spa tubs at our center. We have a tankless water heater and our water at our birthing center is UV filtered.

Do you provide Vaginal Birth After Cesarean services (VBAC) ?

Yes!

Who can be with me at birth?

We welcome anyone who is going to be of emotional, spiritual, physical support for you. Our complimentary class “History, Hats, and Hormones” helps you ask the right questions of whom you want to be there.

Do you accept Medi-Cal?

No, unfortunately at the time, we do not accept Medi-Cal, but we are working on it!

Do you accept insurance?

Yes! We are in-network for Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, and Aetna and our in-house insurance biller and client concierge will work with most insurance companies and policies on your behalf. We are not affiliated with any specific medical group. At this time, we are unable to accept Medi-Cal, Kaiser, or HMO plans.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes! We offer discounts for returning GraceFull moms and in-network insurances. Please call us to find out more!