My dd was born at home with Homefirst. Insurance covered part of it. It took us forever to pay off the rest, but it was well worth it. Now we're expecting #2 in June. We were planning to use Homefirst again, but we just found out our insurance does not cover homebirth. Homefirst wants $4500 up front, at the rate of $900 a month, December through April. If our account is not kept up to date, they won't see me. Ummmm, we don't have an extra $900 a month! Apparently there's a possibility that we might be able to get coverage if dh can get someone from the benefits office at work to call Cigna and tell them to cover me for homebirth, but I'm not counting on it.
I really, really like homefirst, but I need to start looking into other options. Does anyone know of a homebirth midwife who is more affordable, or is willing to take payments. I really don't want to give birth in a hospital, nor am I totally comfortable with the idea of a uc.
Please let me know if any or you have any ideas. I am freaking out.

Thea, have you found anyone? My friend did her residency with home first, now out in the far south suburbs. She is pretty connected w/ docs/mw's who deliver in the home in the suburbs. Our local MW is out of Arlington, not sure how far she travels, but is fabulous. IIRC There is a group of 2-3 MW's I want to say out around Edwards is where they deliver. Eh...pm me if you are still looking I'll get you some names. :)
nak

Thea, is there another m/w in your area that would do the birth for less? My m/w in NY wanted only around $2,000 for a home birth. She would have accepted monthly payments, but then I decided to go with a hospital water birth which worked out perfectly for my situation after all. It will all work out. Please try not to stress about it.

{{HUGS}} I have a number of friends who use homefirst and love their dr.s i did hear that they got more expensive. I'm sorry I don't have any suggestiopns - mine are all at Evanston.

I feel for you! I use homefirst, so far for 2 births with another one on the way. I always have the threat of being cut off due to DH varying job circumstances. Anyways, i found info of a homebirth meetup this Sun.. I am thinking of going, so maybe we will meet up there. I thought it could be a good resource for other homebirth practitioners.

The Chicago Homebirth Meetup Group is a community for people interested in laboring and birthing at home. Our monthly get-togethers are a great way to meet other like-minded families in the Chicago area, and are also a wonderful opportunity to connect with local doulas and midwives. You do not need to be pregnant or have had a homebirth to attend - all are welcome!

Group Photo


The Chicago Homebirth December Meetup
Sunday, December 18, 2005 at 2:00PM

This month's topic: Benefits of Homebirth for Baby Find out what you need to know about the benefits of homebirth for baby at the Chicago Homebirth Meetup Group's December gathering! Meet other expectant families, doulas, midwives, and homebirth enthusiasts for support and community. The gathering will begin with introductions and sharing of birth stories, followed by a conversation about how homebirth benefits babies. Partners are encouraged to attend and children are welcome. Please let us know that you'll be here so we can save some tea and cookies for you!

Bloom Yoga Studio
4663 N. Rockwell St.
Chicago, IL 60625

See the full event details at http://homebirth.meetup.com/65/events/4804230/.

* this is in or around Bloom Yoga Studio
* no -- it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

I interviewed homfirst while pg with Vicotoria and did not like them, for me it was not at all what I was looking for, I wanted a midwife not a traveling dr. I do have the #'s of some great midwives all between 2-3000 and do accept payment plans. One does accept some kinds of insurance, I have ppo so I don't know which ones, the others are lay. The homebirth group does meet once a month but you can always call and ask Kerry for some recomendations.

I've been mostly offline for the past couple of weeks. Thanks so much for all the info! At this point, it looks like we'll be using Homefirst after all. There's a new person working in the benefits office, and she kept on our Cigna rep. until they finally said, yes, I am covered for home birth. I finally got to see the doctor on friday. Now I'm just waiting to see what happens when they bill the insurance company. I still don't have all that much faith that they will cover like they said, but if they don't we have it in writing that they will. In the meantime, I'm hanging on to all the info I've recieved from the wonderful mamas here, in case I need it.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, and come open enrollment in the fall, we will be DONE with Cigna.

I am glad it is working out for you! I bet we bump into each other on Fridays on day, I go in then too. Especially since soon they will be seeing me every week. I have had two births with them so far and have been very pleased.