Frequently Asked Questions
Birthstone Women's Wellness · Resources
Your questions,
answered honestly.
Everything you want to know about our services, insurance coverage, what to expect, and how we support families in Murrieta, Temecula, and Southern California.
Insurance & Billing
Is lactation support covered by my insurance?
Most likely yes. The Affordable Care Act requires most health insurance plans to cover lactation counseling as a preventive benefit at no cost to you — no copay, no deductible. We accept IEHP, Medi-Cal, Kaiser, Cigna, Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Health Net, Community Health Group, and most PPO and HMO plans. The fastest way to confirm is to verify your benefits here or call us at (760) 264-4077.
Are doula services covered by insurance?
Yes — for Medi-Cal members. California added birth and postpartum doula services to Medi-Cal as a covered benefit in 2023. Medi-Cal members can access professional doula services at no cost through SoCal Doulas, our insurance-billing doula collective. Many commercial insurance plans are also beginning to cover doula services. Contact us to verify your doula benefit.
Is midwifery care covered by insurance?
Medi-Cal covers licensed home birth midwifery services — prenatal visits, birth attendance, and postpartum and newborn care. We bill Medi-Cal directly. IEHP credentialing for midwifery is in progress and coming soon. Cash-pay families are welcome at $250 for the initial consultation and $200 per visit thereafter.
Will I owe anything out of pocket?
For most families — no. We verify your specific benefits before every appointment and communicate your exact coverage to you beforehand. If there is any cost-sharing, you know about it before your visit, not after. We never surprise you with a bill.
How do I verify my insurance?
Call or text us at (760) 264-4077 with your insurance card ready, or submit your information online. We contact your insurance directly and get back to you — typically within one business day — with exactly what your plan covers.
Lactation Support
What does a lactation consultation include?
A comprehensive assessment of you and your baby — latch and positioning evaluation, feeding observation, weighted feed (pre- and post-nursing weight measurement), breast health assessment, pump evaluation and flange fitting if applicable, and a written personalized care plan. In-office visits allow hands-on support that is not possible virtually. Virtual visits are equally thorough for what can be assessed on video.
Do you see families who are formula feeding?
Absolutely. We support every feeding journey — breastfeeding, pumping, combination feeding, and formula — with equal expertise and equal compassion. Your feeding method is your decision. We are here to support whatever you choose.
Can I get lactation support before my baby is born?
Yes — and we highly recommend it. Prenatal lactation education is one of the most impactful investments you can make for your feeding journey. Learning before your baby arrives means you are not trying to figure it out at 3am while sleep-deprived and running on adrenaline. Prenatal lactation education is covered by most insurance plans as part of the ACA preventive benefit.
Do you offer virtual lactation consultations?
Yes — virtual lactation support is available throughout California, 7 days a week including evenings and weekends. Virtual visits are covered by most insurance plans just like in-office visits. Learn more about virtual lactation support here.
Doula Services
What does a birth doula do?
A birth doula provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during labor and birth — physical comfort measures, encouragement, advocacy, and an unwavering presence from active labor through the immediate postpartum period. A doula does not replace your medical team. They fill the significant gap that medical care often leaves — the continuous human support that hospital nurses, who may be covering multiple patients, cannot provide.
Do you support VBAC?
Yes. We offer specialized VBAC doula support for families planning a vaginal birth after cesarean — including evidence-based education, birth advocacy, and continuous labor support. VBAC doula services are covered by Medi-Cal and most plans that cover doulas.
How do I get matched with a doula?
Call or text us at (760) 264-4077 to start the process. We verify your insurance, discuss your birth goals, and match you with a credentialed doula from the SoCal Doulas network. We then arrange an interview so you can meet before committing.
Midwifery Care
Is home birth safe?
For healthy, low-risk pregnancies, planned home birth with a California Licensed Midwife is a safe and evidence-supported choice. We continuously assess your candidacy throughout pregnancy, carry full emergency equipment to every birth, and have established hospital transfer protocols. Safety is never an afterthought — it is the foundation of everything we do.
What does midwifery care cost?
The initial consultation is $250. All follow-up prenatal visits, your birth, and all postpartum and newborn visits are $200 per visit for cash-pay patients. Medi-Cal members are billed directly to Medi-Cal at no cost. IEHP credentialing is in progress. See full pricing details here.
Do you offer water birth?
Yes — water birth is available for families who meet appropriate clinical criteria. We discuss water birth during prenatal care and help you plan if it is something you want.
Appointments & Getting Started
Where is your office?
We are located at 39825 Alta Murrieta Drive, Suite B8, Murrieta, CA 92563 — inside New Life Ultrasound. Free parking is right outside. In-office appointments are available 7 days a week including evenings, by appointment.
How do I book an appointment?
Book online here or call or text us at (760) 264-4077. We recommend verifying your insurance benefits before booking so you know your coverage going in — verify here.
I still have questions that are not answered here.
Please reach out. Call or text us at (760) 264-4077 — we love these conversations and there is no question too small. If you are not ready to book but want to talk through your situation first, that is completely fine. We are here.
Still have questions?
Call us — we love to talk.
(760) 264-4077 · 7 days a week · Or book a free 15-minute insurance and service consultation online.