Economy leading more Utah women to midwives
Licensed home-based midwives say they've seen a slight increase in business in part because their service tends to be less expensive than giving birth in a hospital.
"The fact (that) people are having a lot of financial troubles is causing people to look for alternatives," said Suzanne Smith, a midwife who said she is taking more calls from people who are uninsured or have high deductibles.
Consulting appointments are also up at BellaNatal, a one-room birth suite in Orem run by Smith.
At the Birth and Family Place, a birth center in Holladay, the number of women touring the center who say they're attracted by the price has risen to about one-third, according to medical director Rebecca McInnis.
"I don't think it's been that high before," McInnis said.
A hospital-based birth can cost about $8,300, including about $6,000 on average for the hospital charge, according to 2006 estimates by the state health department. Deliveries at home or at a birthing center can be substantially less expensive.
"You really should be where you feel safe, where you feel good," Smith said. "Nobody's going to go to the cheapest place when it comes to the life of their baby."
Paula Williams of Provo said she wanted to give birth at home with her second child. She said she was dissatisfied with the hospital birth of her first child. Cost was also a factor in considering the birth of her second. Williams, who doesn't have insurance, delivered her son in a bathtub at her parents' house in November and was glad she did.
"It was a lot better experience. I got to do it my way," she said. "I will be doing it again, not just because of the money."
Recent comments
I would never go to o midwife I think that DR.'s are alot better,...
Whatever? | Dec. 28, 2008 at 4:14 p.m.
How about birth control? That's even cheaper!!!
Carl | Dec. 27, 2008 at 12:11 p.m.
I would continue going to my nurse-midwive even if it cost more! Many...
Margaret | Dec. 27, 2008 at 11:22 a.m.
- Alta rejects canyon subdivision 3:33 p.m.
- Adult sports leagues offered 3:19 p.m.
- Oil prices spike 3:06 p.m.
- Stocks turn higher 3:03 p.m.
- Nature's Way leaving Utah County 3:02 p.m.
- Notre Dame fires Weis 2:52 p.m.
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet 2:51 p.m.
- Mansion tours begin Tuesday 2:48 p.m.
- Chaffetz: Leave Afghanistan 2:37 p.m.
- Mitchell's 'books' are coherent 2:24 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
892 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
357 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
263 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
240 - Utes won't respond to Hall
162 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
118 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
91
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Max Hall said what needed to be said. It is true that the Utah fan base is...
I WILL SAY NOTING DEROGATORY IN THIS LISTING (NO I WON'T TELL THE TRUTH...
This is just a twitch. Just wait until Israel attacks Iran. SUVs will...
Politics as religion is even more tiresome.
I get so tired of hearing about ND this and ND fan base and all. The Y over...
The gig of whole thing is this...whether or not you are the official spokeman...
BYU should reprimand Hall for honor code violations. Is what their students...
appropriate punishment for former Ute offensive tackle Dustin Hensel? Last...
problem, the U.S. government under the direction of the libs in the white...
The only thing good about Max Hall (in this case) is he was telling it like...


