Midwifery Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work if I would like to give birth at the Birth Center?
Welcome! Our midwives deliver babies at both the birth center and the hospital directly across the street. All prenatal appointments take place at WomanCare, located just two blocks from the birth center. To get started, choose the option below that best matches where you are in your journey:
Option 1: “I want midwifery care, but I am still deciding between a birth center or hospital birth.”
Call WomanCare at 812-282-6114 to schedule your initial prenatal visit with our midwives. We also welcome you to register for a Birth Center Orientation class via the Classes tab above at any time—no initial appointment needed!
Option 2: “I want to learn more about the birth center before establishing or transferring my care.”
Sign up for an Orientation class under the Classes tab above. This class offers a full overview of our center, giving you all the details you need to choose the best care team for your family.
Why should I choose the Tree of Life Family Birth Center for my birth?
We are so glad you are here and exploring your options! We offer personalized, evidence-based midwifery care that honors your choices and supports you every step of the way. Here is why families choose us for their birth journey:
Personalized & Informed Care: You have full autonomy over your body and baby, supported by expert midwives who listen and guide you through every decision.
A Safe, Natural Environment: Birth naturally in a home-like setting free from routine interventions and unnecessary interruptions.
Ready to take the next step? Register for a Birth Center Orientation class via the Classes tab above or call WomanCare at 812-282-6114 to schedule an appointment with our midwives
Can I transfer my care from another provider?
Yes, we warmly welcome transfer clients! You can transfer your care to our midwives at WomanCare at almost any point in your pregnancy to receive midwifery care and give birth at the hospital. If you would like to give birth at the Birth Center, we ask that you transfer by 32 weeks to allow time for required risk assessments, prenatal education, and orientation. If you are beyond 32 weeks, please reach out anyway—we are always happy to discuss your specific situation and see if an exception is possible.
We strive to make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible! To get started, call WomanCare at 812-282-6114 to schedule an initial visit. You can bring your medical records with you or complete a Medical Records Release form in our office, and our team will request your records directly from your previous provider.
How is birth center birth different from hospital birth?
Birth centers work on a close, trusting relationship with your midwives, who guide you through your entire birth experience in a calm, home-like environment.
At Tree of Life Family Birth Center, everything supports the natural process of birth:
- A peaceful setting: privacy, quiet, low lighting, and minimal interventions
- Care aligned with your wishes: no fighting for the birth you want, and no procedures you do not agree with, unless it is truly an emergency
- Uninterrupted bonding: continuous skin-to-skin contact, with your baby never leaving your side
- Gentle newborn care: breastfeeding support and a thorough newborn exam performed right beside you
Is out-of-hospital birth safe?
For many healthy, low-risk pregnancies, birth in an accredited birth center with experienced midwives can be a safe option. Safety depends on careful screening, ongoing prenatal care, clear guidelines for when birth center care is appropriate, and timely transfer to a hospital if a higher level of care is needed.
Safety comes from attentive maternal health care, comprehensive prenatal visits, thorough risk screening, and timely referral or transfer to a hospital when needed, along with continuous support throughout labor and birth. Research compiled by the American Association of Birth Centers further supports these outcomes.
Why does the Tree of Life Family Birth Center have such good outcomes?
Our strong outcomes come from careful risk screening and a holistic, prevention-focused approach to care.
We offer complimentary screening to identify whether you’re a good candidate for out-of-hospital birth — and most healthy women are. We also avoid practices that increase risk, such as continuous fetal monitoring, prescription pain medications, use of Pitocin for induction or augmentation of labor. Instead, we emphasize nutrition, exercise, and education from your very first visit. When a woman is prepared, confident, and well-supported, birth, breastfeeding, and recovery all improve.
Can my older children attend appointments or be present at my birth?
Yes, we warmly welcome older siblings at both prenatal appointments and births, based on your family’s comfort level.
We love helping siblings bond with the new baby during pregnancy. Our “little helpers” often join in by measuring mommy’s belly and listening to the baby’s heartbeat during visits. Family-centered birth is at the heart of what we do, and we’re happy to include your children in ways that feel right for you.
How involved can my partner be during pregnancy and birth?
Your partner can be as involved as they’d like to be, both during prenatal visits and at the birth itself.
Every family is different, and we support your choices. Some partners cut the cord or help announce the baby’s sex, others get right into the birth tub to help “catch” their baby, and some simply want to be present for support. Whatever role feels right for your family, we’ll help make it happen.
Do you offer water births?
Yes, Tree of Life Family Birth Center absolutely supports water births.
Many women find that the warmth, buoyancy, and relaxation of water immersion provides meaningful comfort during labor and helps manage pain naturally. It’s one of many options available to you as you plan the birth experience that feels best for you.
What happens if my birth doesn’t go as planned?
If complications arise or a higher level of care is needed, our midwives are trained to recognize concerns early, begin appropriate care, and arrange a prompt transfer to Norton Clark, our collaborative hospital directly across the street.
While out-of-hospital birth can be a safe option for carefully screened, low-risk pregnancies, no birth setting can guarantee a complication-free birth. That is why we keep essential equipment and medications—including oxygen, IV supplies, and emergency medications—available and ready to use if needed. Many changes in labor give early warning signs, which allows time to move safely to our collaborative hospital when a transfer is the best choice. If that happens, our midwives continue supporting you, communicate closely with the hospital team, and remain part of your care whenever possible through the birth of your baby.
Do you take insurance or is it only self-pay?
We are in network with several insurance plans, including many employer-based commercial plans such as Anthem, United Healthcare, UMR, and Aetna. We also contract with some federal and Indiana state plans, including Anthem Federal, Tricare East through Humana Military, VA Community Care Network, and some Indiana Medicaid plans. Because coverage can vary by plan and benefit design, we encourage you to contact our office so we can help you understand what questions to ask your insurance company.
If we are not contracted with your insurance company, if you participate in a health share plan, or if you do not have insurance, self-pay may be an option. Families who choose self-pay can ask about our discounted prepay rates before birth. We also offer CareCredit for families who need additional time to pay, and we are happy to talk through these options with you at any point in your pregnancy.
What happens if I decide the birth center isn’t for me?
Your comfort and peace of mind matter to us. If at any point during pregnancy you decide that birth center birth is not the right fit, you do not have to change care providers. Our midwives also attend births at our collaborative hospital directly across the street, so you can transition to a hospital birth plan while continuing care with the midwifery team you already know.
Should I hire a doula for my birth?
We love working alongside doulas and strongly encourage families to consider including a doula or another support person on their team, especially for a first birth. While our midwives provide clinical care, guidance, and monitoring throughout labor, a doula offers dedicated emotional and physical support for you and your partner or support team. Research has linked continuous doula support with improved birth outcomes and higher satisfaction. If you would like recommendations, please visit our Resources page or send us a message with any additional questions.
Can I have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) with your midwives?
We strongly support VBACs. For safety and regulatory reasons, VBAC births with our midwives take place at our collaborative hospital directly across the street rather than at the birth center. Our midwives are experienced in supporting VBAC families with evidence-based, compassionate care in a hospital setting, so you can continue receiving midwifery support while planning for a safe and empowering birth.