Mandala Midwifery

We work closely with Jennifer Vracin at Roots Billing to ensure that our clients are able to maximize any insurance benefits they have for midwifery care. If you would like to know what your coverage is before starting care, please use the contact page on her site to verify benefits. We accept all private health insurance companies as out-of-network providers. We are unable to accept Oregon Health Plan as a form of payment, though we do offer sliding scale fees for families who qualify. https://www.unitedcredit.com offers low-interest rate options for financing homebirth and midwifery services - please call us for more information and pricing.

Many clients find great relief from the use of a birth pool during labor. Some benefits include: A more relaxing experience through the stages of labor, the possibility of a shortened labor, a decreased amount of uncomfortable sensations and can help some clients to be more present in the mental space they desire. Birth pools are available for clients through our practice. We are trained to facilitate safe birth in the water.

Here’s a link on multiple studies of outcomes for waterbirth.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26789485/

One of most common question asked about home birth is: "What about the pain?"

Women are strong, capable, intuitive, and incredibly determined; especially when it comes to giving birth to their baby. Our culture has somehow lost the collective knowing that women can give birth without pain medication. However, midwives have not forgotten! We see normal birth often and know, without a doubt that any woman who chooses this path can accomplish it.

We will specifically use and encourage position changes throughout labor, massage and hands on touch, counterpressure on your lower back, hips and other areas of your body as needed, utilize hydrotherapy, rebozo and verbally encourage you every step of the way.

Throughout pregnancy we help families prepare for birth with peer reviewed and backed information, reading, podcasts, documentaries and class recommendations along with careful planning to mitigate discomforts. When a woman is in her own space and has control over her own body, the sensations and perceptions of pain can be far less than in other settings. Partners are also prepared throughout the course of pregnancy during prenatal visits and learn how to assist their partner during labor to help achieve a natural birth.

Overall, we know that the fear, pain, tension cycle which can occur when stress is present in the birth space can be avoided with the right support, encouragement and mind/body connection leading up to and during birth.

This is another very commonly asked question and concern. While most low risk women achieve their goal of home birth, there are sometimes complications that arise requiring transfer to a hospital. Allegra has trained extensively to recognize and respond to these occurrences.

Throughout pregnancy you are monitored for any concerning signs or symptoms that may require a consultation with a specialist so we can determine if home birth is still a safe option. Routine blood work, labs/cultures and ultrasounds are available on a specific timeline during prenatal care and used as needed if a reason arises. These test are optional to you and discussed in detail.

In labor, baby and you are monitored routinely. We track the baby’s heart rate and your vitals. If there is a concern for someone’s safety we plan on hospital transport if needed. In the majority of these cases, we are able to transport via private vehicle. We accompany all clients in this situation to the hospital and remain with them for support until baby is born.

Over the years there have been many studies done to explore the safety of home birth as it becomes more popular. Community birth and home birth providers take many measures that make safety a central and important part to this care model. Just as importantly, the relationship-based care model and an open and honest midwife-client relationship also make this a safe approach. Midwives need clients to be open and honest about health, what they need and want to achieve, as it is just as important for midwives to communicate honestly and openly about their care, experience, comfort with birth plans and any concerns they may have. Trust and honesty are integral to this care.

This the resource has many evidence-based studies on the safety of home birth.

https://mana.org/research-main

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Yes! Just because you started with one provider, does not mean you don’t have the option to choose a different one. If you started with a hospital-based provider and want to consider making a switch, we can meet with you for a one-hour consultation so you have a chance to meet us, ask question and figure out if midwifery and home birth are a good fit with us. If you decide to move forward we request records from your previous provider and continue all care and routine test as needed.

We are able to accept clients transferring into care up to 36 weeks of pregnancy. Because midwifery care is relationship-based and requires some planning and supply gathering on the client’s part, we do not take very last minute transfers of care. We value the relationship and trust building just as equally and feel its important to have a few prenatal visits with a client before helping them delivery a baby at home.

We do not accept high risk clients or clients with multiple risk factors that may make homebirth unsafe. Very few pregnancies are ‘perfect’ and there are definitely low and moderate risk factors that may still allow for a safe home birth. Don’t hesitate to call for clarity on a persisting or acquired condition. Mandala midwives attend a limited amount of births per month.

We’re happy to help you find out! We offer SneakPeek Clinical testing which can be done as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy. You don’t have to be an established midwifery client to utilize this test. SneakPeek is only a sex typing test. Genetic screening options are available to established clients who are receiving midwifery care with us through Labcorp.

A SneakPeek blood draw is fast and easy. A visit takes 20-30 minutes and results are emailed directly to you within 72 hours after collecting a blood sample. All samples are sent same day via priority mail.

Cost // $90 for established clients. $130 for non-established clients.

Counseling and healthcare recommendations can be a great way to begin planning on becoming pregnant or getting guidance and answers if conceiving has been challenging. Depending on where you’re at, we tailor this visit to meet your needs by offering guidelines for health.

We will cover counseling on fertility and tracking methods, review your menstrual cycle, offer a physical and/or pelvic exam, review your daily nutrition and exercise and health history with you.

You may benefit from bloodwork to look at your baseline wellness, hormone, vitamin, thyroid, iron and/or other levels depending on your health history. An herbal and dietary plan made be made to help increase ferity and the chances of becoming pregnant. Appointments are one hour in length.

Cost // $200

Allegra is trained in the normal process of pregnancy loss and supportive care measures to make sure a loss is passed completely.

This visit can be done through telehealth or in person depending on urgency. A one hour visit includes review of your health history, weeks of gestation you carried to, current signs and symptoms of loss and emotionally processing with you. A care plan and anticipatory guidance for the process of passing a loss is made and reviewed on a individualized basis. An herbal remedy plan is also made if appropriate.

This care includes follow-up contact throughout the process of loss and access to a midwife 24/7 for safety and emotional well-being.

Cost // $200-300 depending on plan and amount of care/follow-up needed per individual.