Hi! My name is Carolina Arviso. I'm a Senior Student Midwife at South Bay Birth. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Jordan and....Jordan. (Yes, both mom and dad are named Jordan) and their sweet little 16 month old boy.

Jordan and Jordan are now expecting IDENTICAL TWIN BOYS! While they are excited and feeling blessed, they are also feeling the pressure and overwhelm of what it means financially to care prenatally for this pregnancy, to have birth options that support them, and to prepare for the postpartum journey of not only one newborn but...two!

Jordan had a previous birth center birth with midwives and prior to finding out she was expecting twins, had planned for a homebirth with South Bay Birth midwives Tasha Boyd and Laura Burnett. Learning about being pregnant with twins in California means that additional plans, funds, and an array of other things must be considered. California state law does not allow Licensed midwives to attend twin births out of the hospital. However, there are physicians that DO offer out of hospital twin birth which means for Jordan and Jordan that homebirth and midwifery care dreams can still be achievable with the help and support of the village!

**********UPDATE: Jordan and Jordan are so incredibly humbled and grateful for all of the generosity from the community.  It has taken some of the pressure off. Though they still have many financial things to work out, they feel more empowered to make the informed choices that they strongly feel are best for their babies. They have considered all options and have decided to go with the one that they believe will bring their twins into the world in the most secure and peaceful way possible - in the safety of their home with an OBGYN who specializes in delivering twins naturally, with the support of their beloved midwives from South Bay Birth.************

It's really hard to ask for help and to receive it, but every aspect of this pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience requires immensely more from this family, and everything costs more when there are two babies. I know that with community and support, we can help them reach their goals and access the care they deserve and desire.

Funds collected are allocated to some of the following:

Ultrasounds/Labs: 2500$

Birth: 16,000$

Postpartum Care: 2000$

Baby Items (x2): 4000$

Plus many more things. Like constantly eating to maintain a twin pregnancy. This is no easy adventure to step into. They deserve love and support. I know that we can help them together!

Midwifery is something that is undersupported and suppressed. The "norm" in modern obstetrical care is to deliver twins by cesarean section. However, twin vaginal birth is a safe option with skilled and highly trained providers! If you're scratching your head wondering, "Hmm, isn't vaginal birth cheaper than a major abdominal surgery? Doesn't it make more sense for insurance companies to cover the less expensive procedures vs. only the major surgeries that are much more expensive?" The answer is YES. That DOES make more sense. But that is not the world we live in.

Women are often forced to grit their teeth and "get through" things that are highly uncomfortable or not our preference. We should instead have access to our choices and the ability to choose whichever option feels safest for us. In this case, this family prefers vaginal birth of their twin boys; they are simply held back by the financial load required for welcoming TWO new humans into the world. This is why we need community!!