Midwifery Services
Our Journey Together

Midwifery care that embraces the entire family...mind, body and spirit

Offering warm and informative homebirth services that include prenatal care, childbirth classes, natural remedies, waterbirth, and postpartum care for mother and baby. Birth works!

Prenatal Visits

Visits are scheduled every 3 weeks until 28 weeks of gestation, every 2 weeks from 28 weeks to 36 weeks and every week from 36 weeks until the birth.

We will spend an hour together visiting and checking in on you and your growing baby. Care provided during visits includes measurements of pulse, blood pressure, fetal heart rate, urine, uterine growth, fetal position, physical changes and complaints, medical and obstetrical history, nutrition counseling, and other care when indicated such as gyn exams and cultures or hemoglobin checks for anemia. We can talk about any emotional or social issues, stresses, and dreams or hopes you have.

Information will be given out at each visit to allow you to make informed choices about your care, including prenatal testing and newborn procedures.

Labor & Birth

Call as soon as you are in early labor and we will be in touch until I arrive. During early labor, eat and drink lightly and proceed with normal activities so long as you don't over-tire.

Early labor hints: relax, change positions, breath, use warm water, have emotional support near by, and any other non-medical comfort measures that work for you.

By the time you require concentrated labor breathing to maintain comfort, it is time for us to join you. This allows plenty of time before the birth is imminent and provides ample monitoring of mother and baby during the most stressful parts of labor. Monitoring usually includes regular checks of fetal heart rate, and mom's pulse and blood pressure. Regular vaginal assessments are not routine but can be made if found neccessary.

Give birth in the position that is most comfortable for you, surrounded by as many supportive friends and relatives as you desire. Use of water during labor is encouraged, it can help you relax while making labor contractions more effective and less painful. The birth itself can occur in bed, on the birthing chair, in water...wherever you wish. If you choose to have your children with you during the birth, someone of your choosing, that your children are familiar and comfortable with should be specifically appointed to care for their needs. Perineal support and warm compresses are used to allow for the gentle birth of your baby. The cord is not usually cut until it has stopped pulsing, often not until after the placenta (afterbirth) is born. Newborn suctioning is not usually necessary. The infant is placed across the mother's stomach or in her arms for welcoming and breastfeeding.

Postpartum

In the immediate postpartum your conditon is closely monitored, while being as unobtrusive as possible. Family bonding is priceless and honored. Your baby is thoroughly examined and will also be monitored for continued health. At least one midwife and an assistant will remain approximately three hours after the birth, longer if needed.

Return visits to your home usually occur at one day, three days and seven days, two weeks, four weeks and six to eight weeks. These visits consist of weighing, measuring, snuggling, and taking your baby's pulse and respirations. We will also make sure your recovery is going smoothly, both physically and emotionally.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is extremely beneficial for both mother and infant. Nursing your baby will decrease the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, infections, newborn jaundice and improve your baby's weight gain. I am a lactation specialist and am on call for you with breastfeeding help as much as you need in these first few weeks of your nurslings life.

Medical help when needed

We will make a personalized back-up plan to be followed in the unlikely event that medical transport is required during labor. Your back-up plan will be based on your unique circumstances: closest hospital, insurance coverage, finances, medical services required, and location of preferred physician, if any. It is rare for a transport to be a true emergency situation.

Payment

Cash, Money Order, Credit Card. Payment plans are avaialble