Birthing At Home

Intimate, uninterrupted, profound.

Who Is Most Appropriate for Home Birth?

Pregnant people with a…

Healthy, fairly uncomplicated pregnancy

Growing one baby (not 2+)

Baby is head down when labor begins

Those with a history of one or fewer prior cesarean sections

Modern families are choosing home birth for a variety of reasons, the most common being the frequent medicalization of hospital birth or a history of birth trauma within the hospital setting. Are you looking for better support for physiologic birth, elimination of unnecessary interventions, continuity of your provider, personalized care, and shared decision making? While research indicates that laboring people should remain upright and mobile during labor, eat and drink at will, have limited cervical exams, and be given privacy and skilled support, this is often not the case in many hospitals. If you want safe, experienced, evidence based care, read on below about the overwhelming benefits of birthing at home…

Here’s the real juice about home birth. You will likely labor, birth, and recover better in an environment where you feel safe and respected. Research indicates that rates of labor augmentation with Pitocin, postpartum hemorrhage, and risk of a significant vaginal tear are all lower with a planned home birth. Families planning a vaginal birth after cesarean or VBAC are more successful at home. You eat and drink when and what you want, labor and birth in positions which work best for you, with those you have welcomed into your space. We stay with you after the birth for several hours to insure that you and your baby are transitioning well and visit up to 3 times at home in the first week. Cool right?! Wait, there’s more…

Skip the painful ride to the birth center, avoid sick people who are inherently in hospitals, save your energy for the work of labor rather than armoring up to defend your rights as a birthing person. Choosing to birth at home simplifies what should be a calm, family centered experience. With Thrive, we come to you, stay with you, and know you.

About 9 out of 10 people who plan a home birth will do so without a smidge of hospital care. For those who do elect hospital-based care for non-emergent reasons, the most common reason for a is due to fatigue and a labor that is not progressing, despite doing “all of the things.” Remember, only 1-2% are transferred to the hospital due to an emergency. Those are damned good odds if you ask me!

We come to you, stay with you, and know you

Free Consultation

I offer all families interested in home birth with Thrive, a free 1-hour virtual consultation, to discuss your preferences for care, my training and experience, and all of the kooky questions you can muster up. We can also briefly discuss the nuts and bolts around insurance billing. No direct care can be provided during this consultation until you are an established client. Our fee for the home birth package can be found below.

The cost of the Thrive Home Birth Care Package is $6500, which includes all of your prenatal visits, care during labor/birth/immediate recovery, a birth assistant, postpartum care, and routine neonatal care for the first 14 days. It does not cover imaging (ultrasounds), home IV hydration, labs, medications, herbs/supplements, IV medications/services during the labor or after the birth, or any external care you may have during pregnancy (such as chiropractic, perinatology, endocrinology, etc.) It is typically paid in 3 installments throughout the pregnancy, where $1200 is collected when you decide to partner with us for care. While some insurance plans do not cover home birth itself, many do cover some prenatal, postpartum, and neonatal care. If you want an estimate for how much your insurance plan may reimburse you after your care is completed, we are happy to request what is called a Verification of Benefits ($25) either before you make a decision or after we hook pinkies.

Videos about Home Birth ~ Safety, FAQs, What's To Love

Families Thrive Midwives

I loved the ease and convenience of using Thrive’s telehealth option. My daughter and I had developed a nasty case of thrush and with three kids and a busy schedule, I had no time to travel to an appointment to get it taken care of. Not to mention, it was a Saturday! In about 10 minutes, Kari had asked me the necessary questions, diagnosed the problem and had a prescription sent to my local pharmacy. It could not possibly have been easier. Thrive definitely has a patient for life!

−Catherine

As a doula practicing for 20 years, I can attest that the physical, emotional, informational and midwifery care that Kari provides is truly phenomenal. She cares so deeply about the families that she serves, which is evident in the countless births I have attended with her. From the moment you meet Kari, her knowledge about and trust in normal birth is infectious. On top of all of that she has an amazing sense of humor! As a doula, it is a joy to watch her hold space for all of the fortunate families that have entrusted her with their care.

−Jessie, doula

When I think about who I trust to deliver my baby, my mind automatically says, Kari. In 2015 I delivered my first son in a local hospital, and the tender care and attention I received from Kari during labor, delivery and post postpartum, I knew I wouldn’t be able to find in anyone else. The amount of respect you have between the boundaries of culture and medicine manifests itself in your practice, as I witnessed it during my first delivery. You place your patients wants and needs before yours. You are there any time of the day or night via phone, email or text message. During the hard times of struggle and when my life caused me stress, I turned to you to help me get back on track to improve or maintain my health. When I was going through my miscarriage, I trusted in your expertise and wisdom. Even though I was far away from home when it occurred, you made me feel comforted as I knew you were just one call away. When I think of you Kari, it brings tears to my eyes to have known such a wonderful person and knowing my family trust you whole heartily. What I can say about you is endless. Thank you for all you do.

−Mai

I have known and practiced with Kari for a long time, and trust her implicitly to provide top-notch care for her patients. She stays current in evolving research regarding women’s health and demonstrates a growing knowledge base regarding use of supplements and herbal therapies. Kari is also really innovative in providing care in low resource settings, such as international health.

−Robyn, MD

Kari’s care is exceptional! Not only does she provide stellar whole woman care, she listens and truly forms a bond with each of her clients. Never feel like a number or meet an impersonal provider again. Kari takes the time to get to know you and your family’s health needs and provides you with the tools and knowledge to make well-informed and practical health choices. Thank you, Kari, for being my advocate!

−Suzanne

Kari provides a one-of-a-kind blend of compassion, attention to detail and well researched medical knowledge. She believes strongly that pregnancy and birth is a natural process for most women, recommending both natural remedies and evidence-based Western medicine when it was indicated.

−Melisa

I am so impressed by how Kari keeps up with current research. You can rest assured that the care you get at Thrive will be rooted in the latest evidence and tailored to your needs. Kari is a strong communicator and will be your advocate. I will gladly refer families seeking home birth, gynecological care, and intrauterine insemination to Thrive Midwives.

−Emily, nurse-midwife

Kari is extremely knowledgeable, her clinical judgment and decision making are spot on, she is easy to talk to, and has a comforting and peaceful presence.

−Christy

Kari offers the perfect balance of medical knowledge and personal care, while also trusting a woman’s body and addressing overall wellbeing. She believes that women’s bodies know what they’re doing. She helps you believe that, too.