Allen Midwifery & Family Wellness is located in Allen, TX, and serves families throughout the surrounding areas.
406 W Main St
Allen, TX 75013
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, our team is always happy to help.
General
How do I schedule an appointment?
The process for getting started varies by service. For non-pregnancy care, call our office to schedule an appointment or to talk through which type of visit may be most appropriate.
For pregnancy care, we begin with an initial intake process. If midwifery-led care and our practice are a good fit, and we are not at capacity for the month you are due, we’ll guide you through next steps.
Visit our Getting Started page
for more details!
Can I come see the birth center?
Yes, we hold an Open House every Friday from 12pm-1pm, and you are welcome to stop by and tour the birth center at that time. If you have a conflict with this timeframe, contact our office to request an appointment for a tour.
What if I'm not pregnant; can I still see a midwife?
Absolutely! Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) offer care across all the stages of life, from adolesence to menopause. In addition to attending births, our midwives are skilled in women's wellness and gynecologic issues, hormone management, and much more .
What does "low-risk" mean?
When caring for people during pregnancy, midwives use careful assessment and judgment to identify any risk factors (medical problems, health history, etc) that could impact a person's pregnancy.
CNMs are specialists in low-risk pregnancy and birth, which means that the ideal candidates for midwifery care are those who do not have multiple, complicated preexisting health conditions. Some conditions are within a CNM scope of practice, and some may not be. Our practice tries to identity your risk status prior to entry to care to ensure you're getting the most appropriate level of care from the start.
Do you provide care for men?
Yes! Our Family Nurse Practitioner offers men's wellness, primary care, tesostosterone therapy, weight loss, and more.
Do you offer VBAC?
Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to accept VBAC candidates into the practice for pregnancy care.
Midwives
What is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)?
While there are different kinds of midwives in the United States, our practice employs Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). CNMs are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), and the equivalent of a Nurse Practitioner. In addition to nursing education, they hold a Masters or Doctorate degree in midwifery, and are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. CNM scope of practice includes primary care for women, pregnancy care, labor and birth, postpartum, sexual and reproductive health, family planning, hormone and menopause health, gynecologic health, and newborn care for healthy infants up to 28 days of line.
Can CNMs prescribe medications and order labs?
Yes, CNMs are a type of APRN, and hold prescriptive authority in Texas.
Why do people choose midwives?
Many people are drawn to midwifery care for its combination of clinical expertise and individualized attention. Midwives take time to get to know each person, offering guidance that reflects both medical knowledge and personal priorities. This approach often feels more collaborative and less rushed, while still maintaining a strong focus on safety and outcomes.
Do I only see one midwife?
If you're scheduling a wellness or other type of non-pregnancy appointment, you may request a specific provider, and we do our best to accomodate. Our group practice model means that during prenatal care, you will get to know all the AMFW midwives during your pregnancy. We're intentional about scheduling your prenatal appointments across all of the midwives, so you get to know us, and we know you! The midwives share and rotate through the 24/7 on-call schedule. When you go into labor, the midwife on-call gets to be with you at your birth.
Where can midwives practice?
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) can practice across all settings, both in- and out-of-hospital. Our AMFW CNMs currently attend births in both the birth center and hospital setting.
Birth Center
What is a birth center?
A birth center is a healthcare setting created to support physiologic labor and birth in a calm, supportive environment outside of a traditional hospital setting. Birth centers are typically staffed by midwives and focus on individualized care, informed choice, and close monitoring throughout labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. They are appropriate for low-risk pregnancies. Maintaining clear systems for hospital transfer and physician collaboration helps ensure optimal outcomes.
Are birth centers safe?
Yes; birth centers are considered a safe and evidence-based option, when within a framework where:
• pregnancy is low-risk,
• licensed midwives are providing care, and
• there are clear plans for consultation/transfer if complications arise.
Research comparing outcomes for people with low-risk pregnancies shows that those who receive care in midwifery-led birth centers generally experience outcomes that are as good as or better than comparable hospital care, including lower rates of medical interventions and cesarean birth.
No birth setting is entirely without risk, but when these criteria are met, evidence supports birth centers as an evidence-based choice for many people seeking a more personalized, less intervention-focused birth experience.
Who is a good candidate for birth center birth?
Birth center care is designed for individuals with low-risk pregnancies who value a midwifery-led approach and are comfortable giving birth in an out-of-hospital setting.
Ideal candidates typically have:
• a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy
• no medical conditions that require continuous physician management
• a desire for physiologic birth supported by evidence-based care
• openness to ongoing assessment and shared decision-making as pregnancy progresses
Because pregnancy and health can change over time, candidacy is not determined by a single factor or moment. Instead, it is evaluated thoughtfully throughout care to ensure that the birth center remains a safe and appropriate setting.
Can I have a water birth?
Yes, we offer water birth at the birth center, and many people find that water is their favorite pain relief tool!
How are emergencies handled at the birth center?
Birth centers are designed for low-risk care, but our team is fully prepared to respond if urgent needs arise. Midwives are trained to recognize early signs of complications and to respond promptly using established clinical protocols.
At the birth center, this includes:
• continuous assessment of labor progress and well-being
• emergency equipment and medications on site
• clear, practiced plans for rapid transfer when higher-level care is needed
Equally important, we focus on early recognition and timely decision-making, which allows concerns to be addressed before they become emergencies whenever possible. When transfer to a hospital is indicated, we remain your primary care providers, and collaborate with our physician colleagues to support a smooth transition.
What are the hospital transfer and cesarean rates for AMFW?
Our labor transfer rate averages from 5-10% each year. Less than 1% of those are emergent.
The cesarean rate for low-risk clients averages around 3-5% each year, with an overall cesarean rate (including higher risk clients) around 10-12%. For comparison, the average cesarean rate for DFW-area hospitals ranges from 21-34%.
Hospital
What happens if I need (or want) to give birth at the hospital?
No Problem! Our CNMs maintain hospital privileges at nearby Texas Health Resources Allen (THR), and are able to provide continuity of care across both settings. This means your midwives are still your primary provider, even in the hospital setting.
What if I want an epidural for labor?
Go for it! Everyone's labor looks different, and for some people, choosing an epidural as pain relief can be a great tool. In the hospital setting, you always have the option to choose an epidural, without needing a change in care team.
Can I have an unmedicated birth in the hospital?
Yes. Many people choose to have an unmedicated birth in a hospital setting, and it can be a good option for those who want the added resources of a hospital while still aiming for a physiologic labor.
Giving yourself the best chance at having a successful, unmedicated hospital birth often involves:
• freedom of movement and position changes
• use of non-pharmacologic comfort measures
• supportive, continuous care during labor (doula)
At AMFW, we support people in exploring birth preferences across settings. For those planning a hospital birth, our role is to provide guidance, advocacy, and clinical care that aligns with both personal goals and medical considerations. We work with you to develop a birth plan that both honors your values and allows care to shift gears if circumstances change.
Do I need a doula?
While a doula is not required for care at AMFW, we strongly recommend having one, especially for those planning an unmedicated birth.
Midwives and doulas play different roles. Your midwife is your healthcare provider, and responsible for clinical care, medical decision-making, and safety throughout labor and birth. A doula’s role is continuous, non-medical support, helping with comfort measures, positioning, emotional reassurance, and advocacy during labor. These roles are complementary, not interchangeable.
While it is possible to give birth without a doula, many people find that having a doula improves their overall birth experience by providing consistent, hands-on support throughout labor.
Do you work with physicians?
Yes. Collaboration with physicians is an important part of how we practice.
Midwifery-led care does not mean practicing in isolation. It means serving as primary providers for low-risk care, while partnering with physicians and specialists as needed to support safety, informed decision-making, and the best possible outcomes. At AMFW, we work closely with OBGYN physicians who serve as our hospital surgical backup, and we collaborate with maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) specialists when higher-risk management, consultation, or advanced ultrasound services are needed. These relationships allow us to support continuity of care while ensuring access to additional expertise when appropriate.
Billing & Insurance
Do you take insurance?
Yes. We are in-network with PPO BCBS, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare.
What if I don't have insurance?
No problem! We see many people who do not have health insurance, or whose insurance is out of network. Our accounts manager and billing partners are happy to assist with filing any out-of-network benefits, or talking through self-pay costs of care for various services.
What is the cost of care?
The cost of care can vary widely depending on multiple factors. The quickest way to get an accurate quote for the service you're looking for is to contact our billing partners. Check out the Billing & Insurance page to learn more.
How do I make a payment?
You can make a payment in-person, or by visiting your online billing portal. Check out the Billing & Insurance page for more details.
How can I get answers to billing questions?
Our accounts manager and billing partners are ready to answer any and all questions you might have related to billing, insurance, payment plans, and cost of care quotes. Check out the Billing & Insurance page for contact info.
Location and Hours
Location
Contact
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-4:30pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Hours may vary by service.
©2026 Allen Midwifery & Family Wellness.
All right reserved.