SYLVADA: I usually recommend for a client – yes, you could totally call your insurance, but we all know it’s a nightmare calling the insurance.
THOMPSON: That’s for sure.
SYLVADA: They love to say “No, no, no.” We work with a company called Larsen Billing, and they have a website, larsenbilling.com, and you can go on the website and you can verify with your insurance information – for I think it’s $20, they will verify and give you exactly what’s going to happen with your insurance and homebirth, and how much money you’ll get back.
THOMPSON: Okay, so that’s pretty handy.
SYLVADA: And I’m sure there’s other companies in the country that do that, but I think it’s the best $15 you’ll ever spend. First of all, you’re not waiting hours on the phone, and they’ll really give you an accurate, detailed contract confirmed by the insurance. That’s something that you’ll keep, because the baby will come 9 months later, and things change maybe in 9 months. But if you have that from the insurance, it’s going to be very clear.
THOMPSON: What’s important to consider when a woman is deciding and trying to select a midwife? What are the important things?
SYLVADA: I always say, for San Diego County, we’re really lucky because there’s a lot of midwives. I always say go on a couple of interviews, and you definitely want to see what their background is, their training. Some moms like to have midwives that have also worked in hospitals; some midwives have never worked in hospitals. But I think it’s really sitting down and feeling “This is a good fit, and I feel safe with this person, and I feel like going through this journey, this person’s going to come to my house.”
THOMPSON: So the decision is based on the relationship and training of the midwife.
SYLVADA: It is a relationship, on both sides. It’s the same with us too. We’re going to go to this couple’s house, and we need to feel comfortable with that couple also. So you’re right, it’s definitely you’re building a relationship.
THOMPSON: Which one would you say is most important, the relationship or the training?
SYLVADA: Both.
THOMPSON: So they’re equal.
SYLVADA: But the training is really, really important. For sure, I’d look at the background and do some research with your midwife and get some referrals. But also, are you feeling comfortable with this person. I think when you do without drugs, you really need to feel safe, and the person that’s going to come in your house and be there with you, if you trust that person, then you’ll really surrender to the experience and you’ll do it and you won’t close down.
THOMPSON: I guess the reason I was asking that question is I would imagine that there are some midwives who are nurses, and others that just have the training to be a midwife?
SYLVADA: Yes, it’s true. I’m a French trained midwife, so in France we’re all the same midwives, but it’s true that in the United States, there’s so many different midwives. You’re right, there’s some midwives that were nurses and worked in hospitals; there’s some midwives that worked only doing homebirth and have never set foot in a hospital. You have to really look and do your research, what kind of midwife you’re looking for.
THOMPSON: What sets San Diego Midwife apart from the other providers?
SYLVADA: A lot of our moms like to come and work with La Shel and I because we’re two midwives, so they feel really extra safe because “I have my two midwives on call for me.” We both go to birth together, and that’s been working for La Shel and I, working together. Most midwives work solo, on their own, and then just have a birthing assistant on the side. So I think that’s why a lot of moms like to come to us, because they’re like “I have two midwives.” Throughout the care, they’ll see La Shel and then they’ll see myself. So they have the rapport with both of us. They know us really well.
THOMPSON: That makes it very unique then. Two for the price of one.
SYLVADA: Exactly.
THOMPSON: Great, Jamin. How can people contact you if they’re interested in learning more about San Diego Midwife and you two?
SYLVADA: The first thing I always say is go to the website (www.sandiegomidwife.com), because we’ve really taken the time to write a lot of information. First of all, there’s our bios, so people know who we are and our history and our background. Then they read the website, and there’s just so much information, there’s so many links. Once you’ve done that, then you call the phone number, San Diego Midwife, and then there’s a phone screening. Then after that, there’s a consult, where you come into the office and you meet with your midwife. And that’s a free consult, where we listen to your history and your questions. Then from there we decide, “Okay, yes, you’re ready to start your care.”
THOMPSON: Okay, so that free consult is the initial interview to see if it’s a good fit.
SYLVADA: Yes. But I always do a long phone consult first.
THOMPSON: Well, I appreciate your time, Jamin. It’s been very, very beneficial, and lots of good content. Thank you very much.
SYLVADA: Thank you so much.
Check back often to get more updates on alternative health care options and how they are covered by health insurance. We are planning to do a series of interviews to cover many topics in the natural birth arena, and our next interview will cover the birth center options.