On Certification, Accepting Insurance, and Being a Biblical Birthworker
Frequently I am asked questions like “Do you accept insurance?”, “Are you on Kaiser’s provider list?”, or “Are you a certified doula?” and my short answer is no, but not for the reasons you may expect.
When I first began my journey walking with women, I started with all the research on what doula organization to train with that would be the most likely to get me hired, and sought to be the most accessible birth support available in my area. After I got through my initial training with the most recognized certifying body, I realized pursuing certification with an organization would require me to limit my scope of practice and present myself in ways I did not align with. Early on I supported a woman’s choice to birth how she wished, and if that meant intentionally not having a licensed medical provider present I would be happy to attend her through that. Most doula scope of practice agreements would revoke any certification for doing so. Some organizations would even require me to use woke “inclusive” language that would alienate women from the femaleness of their own bodies through the life event that is quite literally exclusive to biological women. While I have struggled with my own “identity” in the past, God rescued me from those lies and placed my identity firmly in Christ, as a redeemed daughter of the one true King, created for such a holy purpose as bringing forth new image bearers onto the earth. Ephesians 4:15 declares, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head”. To “speak the truth in love” necessitates both parts, and the truth is that one cannot change their biological, God-given sex, no matter how much one “feels” otherwise. I am no longer afraid of people, nor do I seek to please them in how I speak or act; I seek to glorify God and serve Him above all else. If He calls me to support a laboring woman in a way that would disqualify me from a certification, why should I pursue the certification to begin with if I am always going to follow His call anyway?
Similarly, working with insurance companies requires certification of some sort. I find that I can work more flexibly and authentically with women by avoiding the transactional nature of accepting insurance. Historically, birth has not been a business endeavor but a community service. In our modern western era of efficiency and profit, the quality and connectivity of pregnancy care has suffered. Midwifery, being “with women” in the classical sense, is an ancient art and calling of women by God, seen as early as Genesis 35:17. While it has been common for midwives to be offered gifts of gratitude after a birth, financial payment (whether directly or through insurance) attempts to systematize and itemize what I believe should be a dynamic relationship. Insurance companies place a certain monetary value on appointments and services, but cannot account for the quality or appropriate individuality of the time spent. Agreeing to preset limited reimbursement rates reasonably would affect my standard of care, rendering it shallower and narrower than I am willing to offer.
While not accepting insurance may make me seem less accessible to those who wish to use certain benefits, I’ve found my ideal clients to be the families who understand the value of working outside the mainstream societal systems. Just because it’s common, doesn’t mean it’s good. Being an independent birth supporter also provides the flexibility to barter, receiving an equal exchange of energy instead of involving the middle man of money. For example, I’m currently open to bartering my prenatal and birth services locally in Silicon Valley area for the following current needs:
Wholesome Freezer Meal Preps
Photography (Professional Branding Session or Family Photoshoot)
Data Entry Work (Lending Library Cataloging)
Home Organization Consulting
Quality Crafting Materials (leather, spun wool, natural fiber yardage, etc)
Send me a message if you’d like to discuss a barter exchange, even of something not listed here! I have suggested prices for my support packages based on fair compensation for my education, experience, tools, and time; contact me for more specifics. Know that I’ve completed many trainings, listened to and watched hundreds of birth stories, and have firsthand experience of birthing several children at home (and one in the hospital). I have navigated ideologies, I have sifted through swamps of pregnancy information, and I see each mother-baby dyad as the unique entity it is, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I’m not in this for the money, I’m in it to serve the Lord, by serving His daughters. If you need flexibility through payment plans, sliding scale, or bartering, let’s talk.
All that said, I understand the convenience and attraction of using insurance to cover costs. I understand the sense of trust and authority that a certification gives. I understand most people have not been challenged to think outside the systems that are in place. Since I have never been usual, I hope it makes sense that I would operate in this eccentric way, ultimately submitting to the authority and accountability of the Lord rather than man. If you get it, we’re probably a good fit to work together, if not, I’m happy to connect you to other doulas in the Santa Clara County/Bay Area that are certified, accept your insurance plan, or anything else you’re seeking for your unique birth team.
