Support Bills & Medical Care for Expecting Fam

UPDATE 10/13!!!:

This fundraiser began as just a source of funds for my home birth but there have been some serious circumstances that have shifted the financial need.

Job Burden:

When I became pregnant I was a full-time employed worker in my field of mental health but in July, the company went under and I was suddenly fired and not paid my wages to this day. I have since gone through three jobs two of which did not work out unfortunately. I’ve also stayed proactive: taking legal action against my original employer, applying for unemployment and am now settled on a leave with a job I’m hopeful to return to afterwards.

Physical condition:

During the last several weeks of pregnancy I was diagnosed with a rectocele and have been experiencing painful pubic symphosis so the last part of this pregnancy it has been challenging just to grocery shop let alone work any more - I am seeking support through my regular doctor’s office but unfortunately it only covers so much and have also had to seek care that insurance doesn’t offer including Chiropractic & other forms of body work.

Financial Burden:

Since July, I’ve also been applying to different local organizations and food support and have been really blessed to receive assistance but bills have continued to stack and with the extreme cost of living these days it has been challenging to meet our basic weekly needs - this fundraiser is is now shifting to apply to the next few weeks of pregnancy and early postpartum to help keep us going with our bills, gas and food while I am on maternity leave.

Home birth;

I am still pursuing my home birth despite all of these factors because it is important to me and my family to birth where I feel comfortable and most supported. The total cost of my home birth remaining outside of my FSA account funds and the funds I’ve already received from my amazing community is $4,500. This covers the fee for the midwife including: the prenatal care I have been receiving, medical/emotional/physical support for the birth and weeks of postpartum care in my home.

The empathetic and compassionate support I’ve received so far from my midwife and my community has really made a beautiful experience out of a challenging pregnancy and I continue to remain humbled and grateful.

——————-

Original call to action:

As a birth worker myself and a mother to two I have come to value the awe inspiring power of a mama’s mind, body and spirit as she undergoes the natural and normal experience of childbirth and the importance of being able to choose where and how each person gives birth.

I trust birth, I trust my body and I have found a home birth midwife I trust fully to hold sacred space before, during and after I give birth and I can’t picture doing it any other way than in the comfort of my own home surrounded by loved ones.

Unfortunately home birth isn’t currently covered by my insurance and on a single income here in the North Bay as I (gracefully) juggle my career, my education & all things mothering related I cannot make up the full cost of a home birth.

So I am asking you, my community, to help make this vision possible. As I gather baby gear as a third mom I am getting a lot of second hand stuff, skipping a lot of the big asks in order to focus on having the support I need throughout this entire experience because I know that is truly what matters more than anything.

This pregnancy has been an emotional whirlwind so far but defining this goal to birth at home, the care provider I connect with and asking for the support is helping me feel more grounded and confident.

Thanks to all for offering up anything you can - it really takes a village.

-meg