Is a natural birth with Tricare possible?

tash_rn · May 2011

My husband and I just PCS'd to the Newport News area and then found out we're pregnant! I would love to have a nurse mid-wife and a birthing center for the delivery but Tricare Prime will only cover me if I go to Langley AFB. I know I can switch to TriCare Standard and I don't mind doing that if necessary. My question though is what experience you guys have had with military hospitals respecting wanting a natural birth and what experience finding a midwife who will accept Tricare. If anyone knows anything about the area I'm in specifically I'm all ears! We just moved and I don't even know anyone yet, much less where to give birth! Thanks!

CeeMat · May 2011

I'm being seen at Langley and did not deliver my first at a MTF so I can't speak for how receptive they are to natural deliveries. The facility at Langley is only a year old but they still do not do water births. I am personally going through the process with the patient advocate office to try to get referred off-base because of issues I've had with my care at Langley.

As far as finding a midwife, if you decide to go standard, I have heard great things about the midwifery center at DePaul in Norfolk. The moms in the local mom's group I belong to rave about them.

I've been here for over a year so if you have any specific questions please let me know.

tash_rn · May 2011

Thank you so much! I actually spoke with the group in DePaul today and they sounded awesome on the phone! Sorry to hear you're having such trouble with Langley! I wish this was the first time I have heard this but unfortunately I've heard a few other bad reviews as well. Good luck getting referred off post!

aubz2007 · May 2011

I am on Standard and paid the $150 copay.

My delivery cost $5500 at a birth center, and I paid $25.00.

$175 was WELL worth it.

Temp76535187505890 · May 2011

I answered your post over on the NB board but will reiterate here that I switched to Standard to deliver specifically at The Midwifery Center at DePaul. I highly recommend. In fact, I can't give enough praise to the midwives there. I wish we wanted more kids just so I could have another natural birth with them. ETA: I did not pay the $150 copay. Only $92 for some lab tests and the $25 for the daily charge at the hospital. (at the MW Center you only stay 24 hours after the birth)

twest0508 · May 2011

I'm also in Hampton Roads, and I switched to Standard so I could be seen by a midwife. I'm giving birth naturally at Obici in Suffolk with my midwife, and the only thing I'll be paying is the daily charge at the hospital. All of my tests so far have been completely covered.

tash_rn · May 2011

Thank you all soooooo much! I think we're leaning towards the Midwife center at DePaul, we'll decide for sure after the tour. Thank you for all the support and info, definitely makes me feel better about switching to TriCare standard so I can do this!

AF_EOD_wife · May 2011

I'm at a MTF and have seen a nurse-midwife. Additionally, a friend of mine saw the same midwife throughout her entire pregnancy and had the med-free birth she wanted; all on Prime. Check and see what providers are available to you.

JKM416 · May 2011

I had DS at Bethesda and felt I had to fight for a natural birth. I showed up already 5 cm, and by 6 cm dilated the OB was threatening me with pitocin even though I was clearly progressing well on my own. I had to stay on monitors the entire time, which meant not being able to pace more than 10 feet from my bed (totally NOT conducive to helping labor along) and couldn't go into the shower for relief. I completely felt like just a "number" and my wishes didn't count for anything. I didn't even get to hold DS for 20 minutes after he was born because some ?residents? just had to be taught how to stitch a patient up. The corpsman told me afterward that it was one of the best births he'd ever seen and they only get like three unmedicated births there a year (which I find hard to believe, but whatever...just shows how much it's not encouraged or supported).

All of that is to say that if you really want a natural birth or one with minimal unnecessary interventions, I agree with the PPs and say to go Standard and find some midwives. That's what I'm doing with #3 and I'm really excited and relieved about it. I tried to get a referral out to a civilian practice (while staying on Prime) because of the issues I'd had with my previous L&D experience, but I was told by some higher-ups in the OB department that I was denied and any appeals I made wouldn't be approved and I shouldn't bother pursuing it futher. That attitude sealed the deal for me about why military medicine - and OB care in particular - isn't for me. Good luck!

candeluchita · November 2011

I really hope it is possible, I am pregnant with my first baby and I am really looking forward for a intervention free labor and delivery. Im on tricare prime and I will everything i have to do to have the birth experience a I want.

I went to the so call DePaul's birth tour and after 10 minutes of being there I knew that was the place for me to have my baby at. My husband looked at me with the look of "yes!we found it" in the middle of the meeting when the nurse showed us that they have a delivery ball and they also offer water births if you are part of their "womancare center" which I am calling in the morning to find out if they will take either prime or standar.

If you want to find out if you haven't their number is seven five seven four five one zero nine two night for more info.

I hope you have the experience you are looking for if you didn't have your baby yet. And congrats!!

candeluchita · November 2011

nine* lol

Want a personalized experience?

Is a natural birth with Tricare possible?

Re: Is a natural birth with Tricare possible?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards