Building Successful Midwifery Business :Our guide on starting a midwifery business covers all the essential information.
To help you decide if this business is a good match for you.
Learn about the day-to-day activities of a midwifery business owner.
The typical target market, growth potential, startup costs, legal considerations, and more!
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Build a Successful Midwifery Business
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
For most women, the birthing experience is a right of passage.
The first opportunity to bond with this incredible new life being brought into the world.
Each new mother has a vision of what this experience should be like and creates a birthing plan.
With that vision in mind. A midwife helps carry out that plan for families who envision.
A more natural, calming experience, free of a large hospital staff.
See also: Top 21 Pre Nursery Population Increase Tips in Nigeria
1. Who is this business right for?
Owning a midwifery business offers a unique opportunity to help families.
Welcome their little bundle of joy into the world on their terms.
Because newborns come when they’re ready, midwives must have the ability to keep a free schedule.
Prepared to jump in at a moment’s notice.
This is a wonderfully rewarding career for the compassionate and loving individual.
Who enjoys connecting and interacting with people on a more intimate level.
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
2. What happens during a typical day at a midwifery business?
In the midwifery business, no two days are alike.
Even if you’re able to welcome multiple babies into the world each day.
Every family’s wishes and needs will be unique, as is each birthing experience.
While this will vary from day-to-day, most days will include the following activities:
- Conduct interviews with families to get a feel for what their birthing needs are
- Schedule and carry out regular prenatal checkups to ensure the pregnancy is progressing safely
- Meet with mothers swiftly when they sense something isn’t right with their body or unborn baby
- Assist families with whatever they require, once labor has begun
- Deliver the baby and care for both mother and baby immediately after birth and assess the health and wellbeing of both
- Provide care and advice if emergency interventions are required
- Market your business
- Consistently research to ensure your business is current with the best midwifery practices
- Follow up with families after birth
Additionally, there will be administrative duties to attend to, such as ordering supplies and paying bills.
Many midwife business owners delegate these responsibilities to their trusted staff.
So they can focus on the needs of their “customers.”
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
3. What is the target market?
Your customers will be limited to a very specific group of individuals.
Many expecting mothers are still choosing the path of birthing in a hospital.
With a physician overseeing the process. Some of these women will be your clients.
As many are now choosing to have both a midwife and a doctor in the room.
With the purpose of ensuring a system of checks and balances.
Others choose a more natural path, removing physicians from the equation entirely.
This will provide the framework for your customer base.
With many of them becoming an extension of your family.
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
4. How does a midwifery business make money?
While the cost of a midwife is significantly lower than a hospital birth.
Most insurance companies will not cover a midwife’s fee.
Fees are agreed upon between the midwife and family.
With many expecting families paying out of pocket.
Due to the cost, many midwifery businesses accept payment plans.
With the final payment due at 37 weeks.
See also: 12 Tips to Start Coconut Nursery Business in Nigeria
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
5. What is the growth potential for a midwifery business?
More and more expecting families have realized the value behind having a midwife.
Present during birth, helping to remove the “hippie” label that was once present.
In fact, the industry is expected to grow by 31% by 2020.
Offering great opportunity for success for those considering opening a midwifery business.
Growth opportunities are directly related to demand in your area and affordability of services.
As well as the availability of other midwives in your region.
GETTING STARTED
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful midwifery business?
Because emotions can be high throughout the birthing experience.
Midwives must be strong and confident individuals.
Attention to detail is critical, as a newborn’s life (as well as the mother’s) is in your hands.
If something goes awry, you must be able to firmly, confidently, and calmly explain.
The situation to your birthing family and be able to execute an alternate plan swiftly.
While still considering the outlined birthing plan.
Additionally, it’s important to understand that these families are looking to you for guidance throughout this process.
The ability to listen to your clients, often reading between the lines.
Is important, as is a passion for educating them every step of the way.
Those considering entering the profession can take two different paths.
To get there (depending upon your state). Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs)
Receive a degree in nursing, spending years completing their education.
Some states also allow “direct-entry” midwives to practice.
Once they’ve completed an apprenticeship program with an experienced midwife.
Regardless of which path you choose, the Midwives Alliance of North America.
Offers a wealth of information regarding midwifery education, advocacy, and research.
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
6. What are the costs involved in opening a midwifery business?
When opening a midwifery business, entrepreneurs have an extensive list of needs.
Part of why women choose midwives in their birthing plan is to have options regarding.
How and where they give birth. Since some women will want to birth in the comfort
Of their own home, many of your supplies will need to be portable.
A percentage of your clients will, however, want to birth at your establishment
So it’s also important that you purchase or lease a space that can comfortably.
Handle multiple births at once. Choose a location that is easily accessible, clean,
And has a calming feel for your birthing mothers.
In addition to your space, you’ll need to budget for approximately $25,000
For the following supplies to get the business started:
- General medical equipment and supplies
- Blood sugar equipment
- Resuscitation equipment
- Birth kit
- IV equipment
- Needles and syringes
- Blood collection equipment
- Catheterization equipment
- Cleaning solutions and equipment
- Birthing tub kit
- Marketing materials, including an educational website, business cards, and brochures
- Insurance
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
7. What are some insider tips for jump starting a midwifery business?
The following are some insider tips from individuals who have found success in this ever-growing industry:
- Get involved with organizations such as the Midwives Alliance of North America
And National Association of Certified Professional Midwives.
It’s important to have a support group of other midwives to ensure the best quality care for every client.
They can also provide a wealth of information and resources to ensure the startup process goes smoothly.
- Conduct interviews with expecting families before taking them on as a client.
You’ll have an instrumental role in the event that will change their lives forever.
Understanding each other is key to a successful birth.
- Consider accreditation through the American Association of Birth Centers.
See also: START A PLANT NURSERY
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
8. How to promote & market a midwifery business
Historically, the women who chose natural births with midwives was a tight knit group.
Within the community. Word of mouth was a midwife’s greatest marketing tool.
However, as word spreads regarding the benefits of working with a midwife,
Centers are finding new marketing opportunities.
Midwife birthing centers have found success implementing the following marketing strategies:
- Partner with pediatricians within the community who support a more natural approach to treating their patients. Their support and recommendation will take you farther in gaining valued clients.
- Purchase ads in local publications, particularly those geared towards families.
- Feature a blog on your website and share on social media. Focus on topics your expecting parents would inquire about, establishing yourself as an educator and leader in your industry.
- Host workshops geared towards new families.
- Google and Facebook ads are a great way to get your name out in the community.
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
9. How to keep customers coming back
Due to the services you’ll be providing, word of mouth is critical to attracting clients.
How you treat them and how comfortable you make them.
From the moment you meet will define the relationship built.
Women made to feel comfortable and in control will pass on their positive experience to others.
Encouraging them to consider you for their birth.
Keep track of your clients once the baby arrives.
They will, undoubtedly, consider you a part of their family
And will look to you should they decide to have multiple children.
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
10. How and when to build a team
This will depend upon your personal preference.
While not required, many midwives partner with a doula to assist with the birthing process.
You’ll also want to consider hiring one or two additional midwives within the community to help your business grow.
Since childbirth can come at any time and can last longer than 24 hours, it would also be beneficial to hire someone
To take care of the clerical duties, so you’re not overwhelmed during those busy times.
Just be sure the first person potential clients interact with is someone they can relate to.
Most teenagers haven’t gone through this sensitive process and cannot begin to understand.
What expecting mothers are going through – find someone who will be sympathetic
And can educate clients and prospects whenever necessary.
Whether you decide to hire employees or work solo, you’ll need the assistance of a reputable attorney.
They can help ensure all your paperwork is in order and that you’ve purchased the necessary insurance.
To protect your business and your customers.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
11. State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Generally, midwives must be certified as either CPMs or CNMs
And take a national midwifery exam. Information about certification can be found here.
The American Public Health System has published guidelines for licensing birthing centers.
These guidelines can be found here.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide.
To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business,
Check out our informative guide, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Most states require birthing center licenses.
Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
For information about local licenses and permits:
- Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office
- Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
12. Service Agreement
Midwife businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement
Before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and
Minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions,
As well as service level expectations. Here is an example service agreement.
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement
For your midwife business when you sign up for their premium membership.
For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements
And on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
See related: 12 Methods to Starting Home Care Business
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
13. Reduce Personal Liability
Structuring your business as a limited liability company (LLC)
Ensures your personal assets are protected in the event your business is sued.
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
14. EARNING POTENTIAL
Midwifery fees vary depending upon location and specific services needed.
Many centers report charging between $3,500 and $5,000 per birth.
15. What are the ongoing expenses for a midwifery business?
As a midwifery business owner, your largest expense is your physical location and supplies.
Below are a few items you’ll want to budget for in your monthly expenses:
- Insurance
- Maintaining adequate supplies
- Advertising and website maintenance
- Continuing education
Build a Successful Midwifery Business
16. How much profit can a midwifery business make?
If you assist in the birth of 3 babies a month and charge $3,500 per birth,
Your agency will earn $126,000 before expenses.
Hiring one or two additional midwives will not only help cover overhead costs
It can almost double your business’ profit, depending upon the pay scale you and the midwife agree upon.
How can you make your business more profitable?
The following are a few strategies other birthing centers have implemented to ensure a more profitable business:
- Partner with local obstetricians and hospitals and offer assistance during hospital births when requested
- Offer lactation consultations
- Host regular events, such as prenatal yoga and infant CPR classes
- Offer additional classes that would interest expecting parents – nutrition, prenatal, and breastfeeding
- Many families choose to save the placenta, so this is a great service to include in your business’ portfolio