Homebirth in Philadelphia: What You Can Expect
Planning a homebirth in Philadelphia offers something many cities can’t: real options. Whether you’re seeking a hands-off midwife who centers intuition and ancestral wisdom, or someone with a more clinical lens grounded in evidence-based care, you’ll find it here. And even though most midwives run their own practices, we still know each other. We collaborate, consult, and look out for one another; which means you're stepping into a deeply connected web of care.
If you're considering giving birth at home, this post will walk you through what to expect, what makes Philly unique, and how to find the right midwife for you.
A Strong Midwifery Community That Honors Choice
Philadelphia is home to one of the most diverse midwifery communities on the East Coast. From traditional homebirth midwives to nurse-midwives with hospital privileges, the city offers a full spectrum of approaches to pregnancy and birth. That means you're not choosing between just one or two cookie-cutter options, you’re choosing someone whose experience, philosophy, and presence feel aligned with your own.
Despite working independently, many midwives in Philly know and respect each other. We share a commitment to honoring the birthing person’s voice. And if you need a consult, a backup, or a transfer plan, we’ve often worked with each other before, so the care continues with continuity and respect.
This kind of community matters. Birth doesn’t always follow a script. Knowing that your midwife is plugged into a trusted circle of professionals can bring a sense of steadiness and safety to your experience.
How to Choose a Homebirth Midwife in Philadelphia
There’s no one-size-fits-all provider, and that’s a good thing. The best first step? Set up interviews with midwives who resonate with you. These initial conversations can give you a strong sense of someone’s personality, their process, and how they respond to your questions and concerns.
Here are a few things to consider as you search:
Location: Choosing a midwife who lives relatively close to you increases the chance they’ll arrive quickly when labor begins.
Client Load: Ask how many births they take per month. A low-volume midwife often offers more spacious, personalized attention.
Philosophy of Care: Some midwives lean more holistic or spiritual, while others are more structured and clinical in approach. Neither is better—it’s about what feels right for you.
Experience and Credentials: Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs), Licensed Midwives (LMs), and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) all attend homebirths in Philly. Ask how long they've been practicing and what kinds of births they’ve attended.
Budget + Payment Options: Costs can vary. Some midwives offer sliding scale options or payment plans.
Ultimately, the most important thing is that you trust your midwife—and that they trust you.
Midwives and Hospitals: What Happens if You Need to Transfer?
Another unique feature of homebirth in Philadelphia is the availability of collaborative hospitals. While not every facility is equally welcoming to community midwives, a few stand out—especially Jefferson, which has earned the trust of many midwives and families alike. They've built a culture that respects informed choice, values midwifery input, and makes space for families to stay in the driver’s seat, even in a hospital setting.
If a transfer to the hospital becomes necessary, having a midwife who already has strong relationships with these institutions can make the shift feel more fluid and less fraught.
Even in the rare event that birth doesn’t unfold at home, you’re still carrying the groundedness and clarity you built into the experience. That doesn’t disappear when the location changes.
What to Expect When You Birth at Home
Every homebirth is different, but here’s a general sense of what it may look like when you’re under the care of a midwife:
Prenatal Care: Visits are longer and more relational than standard OB appointments. You’ll talk about your body, your baby, your life, and your vision for birth. In my practice, I offer both in-home and office-based prenatal visits depending on the package you choose.
On-Call Support: As your due window approaches, your midwife is on call 24/7. You won’t be passed around or rushed—when labor begins, she comes to you.
Birth Supplies + Set-Up: Your midwife brings medical supplies, oxygen, herbs, and tools to monitor you and baby. If you’re planning a water birth, she’ll help you source or set up a birth pool.
Labor + Birth: Your midwife monitors vitals and labor progression, offers physical and emotional support, and documents your care. She’s there through it all—and she knows when to step in or step back.
Immediate Postpartum: After the birth, you stay in your bed while your midwife supports you in bonding, breastfeeding, and recovery. She’ll also assess the baby and complete any necessary documentation.
Ongoing Postpartum Visits: Follow-up care typically happens in the first few days, again at 2 weeks, and around 6 weeks. Your questions, healing, and transition into parenthood are all held with care.
Each practice offers slightly different timelines and touchpoints. But if you’re working with me at The People’s Midwife, we’ll craft a rhythm that meets your needs—not one that’s based on rigid schedules or insurance constraints.
Three Paths to Homebirth with The People’s Midwife
Every client is different. That’s why I offer multiple pathways to plan and prepare for homebirth:
1 The Premium Birth Concierge™ Package
This is the full-service experience for families who want midwifery care that meets them at home from beginning to end. It includes in-home prenatal visits, all birth supplies, water birth support, on-call availability, and personalized postpartum care. Learn more about the Premium Concierge™ experience.
2 Birth Mapping™ & Maternal Wellness Consultation
Not sure where to start? Book a consultation to create your personalized Birth Map™—whether you’re just exploring homebirth or want help coordinating with a hospital provider. It’s especially helpful for those who’ve had difficult births in the past and want clarity for what’s next. Book a session →
3 Essential Midwifery Care
This model offers a more traditional schedule with office-based prenatal visits and attentive, holistic support throughout. It's available to returning clients and a select few new families who align with this pace of care.
Not sure where to start?
Take the Birth Personality Quiz to find out what kind of support actually fits you. It only takes a few minutes, and it can help you name what matters most—so your care plan starts from a place of clarity.
Let’s Talk About Your Birth Plans
If you’re exploring your options and want someone to walk through them with you, I’m here. Book a 20-minute intro call and let’s talk about what homebirth could look like for you—on your terms, in your home, and with someone you trust by your side.
