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A question on money!

Last post 03-16-2009 7:39 AM by pamela.midwife. 12 replies.
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  • 02-17-2009 1:47 PM

    A question on money!

    Dear midwives,

    My name is Becky and I am a midwife from Oxford,UK. I have  a question about what the range of possible income is for a CPM. I am planning a move to Virginia and am trying to gather practical information about potential CPM homebirth midwifery practice earnings.

    It's not always easy to ask people about money but I would be very grateeful for any information about what you're avarage incomes are / how much you earn per client, expenses etc.

    Thnak you very much!

    Becky

  • 02-19-2009 7:22 PM In reply to

    • midwifea
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-12-2009
    • Kailua Kona, HI
    • Posts 440

    Re: A question on money!

    Becky,

    I am a traditional midwife in Hawaii.  My fee is $ 1,500 (cash or trade or payments over a lifetime and I do quite a few probono's each year) for prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care. I am definately the norm for my area.  I know many other midwives on the mainland USA who get a lot more for their birth attendings but I cannot comment on the Virginia area fees.

    Hope this helps.

    Blessings,
    April
    moderator

    "The Voice

    There is a voice inside of you
    That whispers all day long,
    "I feel this is right for me,
    I know that this is wrong."
    No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
    Or wise man can decide
    What's right for you--just listen to
    The voice that speaks inside."
    — Shel Silverstein
  • 02-21-2009 4:02 AM In reply to

    Re: A question on money!

    Dear April,

    Thank you very much for the info. What a beautiful place to live and work, I have never been to Hawaii, but it sounds lovely. I love the sea. Do you mind if I ask what kind of amount of expenses you have?

    Best wishes and happy midwifing...

    Becky

  • 02-22-2009 7:24 AM In reply to

    Re: A question on money!

    In Indiana the cost ranges from about $1500 to $2000 for prenatal, birth and postpartum care... not including the birth kit, tub rental for waterbirth and such.  I've been told to expect to spend about 50% in expenses though I imagine it can vary.  

    http://commonwealthmidwives.org/ this might help you network with midwives there.

    I am a CPM in solo home birth practice
  • 02-22-2009 2:22 PM In reply to

    Re: A question on money!

    Thank you very much Michelle.

    Becky  Smile

  • 02-23-2009 11:35 AM In reply to

    • RobsGirl
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-04-2009
    • Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
    • Posts 360

    Re: A question on money!

    Gosh, why is midwifery care so expensive in NY?  My midwife and others in the area receive about $5000 for prenatal care (at their office), the birth, and 3-5 postpartum visits.  What's up with that?

    RobsGirl, 30
    Wife of one fabulous guy (33)
    Mommy of 3 awesome boys, ages 10, 7, and 3, and a precious 19 month old daughter.


  • 02-23-2009 12:33 PM In reply to

    Re: A question on money!

     OMG!  $5000 is crazy expensive!

  • 02-23-2009 1:24 PM In reply to

    • RobsGirl
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-04-2009
    • Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
    • Posts 360

    Re: A question on money!

    We're talking CNMs here.  CPMs are not recognized here in NY unless they've taken the state boards for certified midwifery (CM).  I was seeing a team of a CNM and a CPM, CM.  My insurance did pay some, but I did have to py 2000 out of pocket. Tongue Tied

     

    RobsGirl, 30
    Wife of one fabulous guy (33)
    Mommy of 3 awesome boys, ages 10, 7, and 3, and a precious 19 month old daughter.


  • 02-23-2009 4:06 PM In reply to

    Re: A question on money!

    RobsGirl:

    We're talking CNMs here.  CPMs are not recognized here in NY unless they've taken the state boards for certified midwifery (CM).  I was seeing a team of a CNM and a CPM, CM.  My insurance did pay some, but I did have to py 2000 out of pocket. Tongue Tied

     

     

    I'm thinking lots of overhead (ie. office rental/lease, office staff, insurance billing, etc) on top of the expensives that midwives like the ones I work with have (disposable supplies, gas, vehicle maintenance, equipment, etc).

     

    I am a CPM in solo home birth practice
  • 02-23-2009 4:36 PM In reply to

    • RobsGirl
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-04-2009
    • Mid-Hudson Valley, NY
    • Posts 360

    Re: A question on money!

    MotherNurtured:

    RobsGirl:

    We're talking CNMs here.  CPMs are not recognized here in NY unless they've taken the state boards for certified midwifery (CM).  I was seeing a team of a CNM and a CPM, CM.  My insurance did pay some, but I did have to py 2000 out of pocket. Tongue Tied

     

     

    I'm thinking lots of overhead (ie. office rental/lease, office staff, insurance billing, etc) on top of the expensives that midwives like the ones I work with have (disposable supplies, gas, vehicle maintenance, equipment, etc).

     

    office rent--yep, they have that

    office staff--no, they don't have that

    insurance billing--yes

    vehicle maintainance--yes, harsh winters, mountainous areas

    gas--yes, they drive up to a 2 hour radius

    not to mention, there are two of them and they both make it to most births unless there are two moms in labor at once.

     

    RobsGirl, 30
    Wife of one fabulous guy (33)
    Mommy of 3 awesome boys, ages 10, 7, and 3, and a precious 19 month old daughter.


  • 02-24-2009 6:25 PM In reply to

    • Hypnomama
    • Top 50 Contributor
    • Joined on 01-28-2009
    • Kitsap Peninsula, WA
    • Posts 20

    Re: A question on money!

    Im not sure of the VA area, but here in the Seattle/ Tacoma, WA area you see fees from 2500-5000.  It really depends.  Most seem to live around the 3k mark

    Warmly,
    Alex
  • 03-08-2009 1:29 PM In reply to

    Re: A question on money!

     it depends somewhat on where you are going to practice in VA.The closer you are to DC, the more you can charge. I live in Pa, right above VA, and the average in my area is 1200-1500, and that includes everything.  Right now, with the bad economy, we are having alot of problems getting paid. Even our Amish and Mennonite clients, who normally pay in full right away aren't paying.  For a bit last year, we tried to increase our fee, but it did not go over welland right now, we would just be happy to get our fees paid in full!

     

    On another site, a midwife commented that you can consider about 50% of your gross income to be your actual take home, I think that's a good figure.

     

    And in many places in VA, you will be doing lots of traveling.  I would say most of the midwives around here are traveling 1 hour, and I know some that travel up to 2-3 hours, so you have to factor the costs involved with that.  In the winter, you will need to factor in the snow and ice.  If you serve the mountainous areas of virginia, then you may need snow tires and chains for your tires. 

    Barb Cavanaugh
    RN, IBCLC, Homebirth Midwife
  • 03-16-2009 7:39 AM In reply to

    Re: A question on money!

    In the Pacific NW, midwives charge on average between $2000 and $4000.   I charge $3500, but have reduced fee discounts for early payments ($2400 - 2800).  By setting my fees at this particular level, I'm able to adequately take on many very low-cost or free births without compromising my need to support my family.

    I think that money is something that many midwives struggle with - I still do.  But I also know that my time is worth it - as well as my experience.

     

    Pamela Hines-Powell
    Midwife
    Salem, Oregon

    www.SalemMidwife.com
    www.pamamidwife.com
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