Midwifery Services
Prenatal care
Prenatal visits are typically 1 - 1.5 hrs long, This allows for enough time and space for us to educate you & provide you with relevant information for you to make informed decisions about your care.
We check your vitals, baby’s position and growth, do your blood-work and order ultrasounds as needed.
We give nutritional advice to support healthy pregnancy. We may refer you to complementary health care providers such as chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, therapists, as needed.
We also take our time to get to know you, build trust, and discuss any wishes or concerns you have about your birth. Siblings can be part of the visits, and get used to the idea that a little brother or sister is on the way!
Home Birth
Prenatally, we help prepare you for your home birth.
We have a birth kit through a website, ‘radiant belly’, which includes home birth supplies.
Midwives see birth as a natural, physiological process, and trust that women tend to have the best birth experiences when they feel safe and supported, and with minimal intervention. We will offer comfort measures and encouragement as needed, and carry herbal remedies specifically for birth.
Occasionally, complications can arise in which intervention does turn out to be necessary. We are trained and keep up to date with Neonatal Resuscitation and CPR , carry medications, oxygen, and I.V. in case of hemorrhage (bleeding after birth) ,
Every birth is unique, and we try our best to adapt to your specific needs and desires for your home birth. We recognize birth is an intimate experience and are honored to be a part of this experience with you.
Partner & siblings
As midwives, we recognize that birth is a life-altering family event. Therefore, your partner can be as involved in your birth experience as you would like.
If they’d like to, they may catch the baby (with midwife support, as needed)
Cut the umbilical cord
Take on the role as your ‘ doula’ (main emotional support person, providing comfort measures during labor) if that is something you both would like.
If they are more comfortable with your birth team taking on these roles and tasks, that is of course totally okay too! We provide individualized care so it really just depends on you and your partner’s preferences.
We can suggest a birth class to help you & your partner prepare for how you can be most supported during birth. A birth class will also help your partner know what to expect.
Siblings may also be present at the birth, if mom would like them to be. It’s a good idea to have a person designated to child support so that they can be tended to if needed. Watching birth videos with the siblings in advance can be a helpful way to prepare them. Allowing siblings to welcome in their new baby brother or sister is so special, and we have often seen siblings provide some very heart warming support to their mom during labor; so many sweet memories to be cherished!
Some moms know that they would be distracted by their other children being present at their birth, and in this case arranging for childcare in advance may be the best option.
Water Birth
We offer & encourage water birth as an option. Research & experience has shown that:
~ water promotes relaxation and helps conserve energy during birth.
~ provides significant pain relief
~ is highly rated by mothers – typically stating they would consider giving birth in water again; some even stating they would never give birth any other way!
~ water facilitates mobility and enables women to assume any position that is comfortable for labor and birth
source: www.waterbirth.org
Post-Partum Care
One of the greatest advantages of midwifery care is not having to leave your home after your birth. Most cultures recognize that women need at least a month to recover from birth, and during this time it is important to rest and integrate, and bond with your baby.
We will do regular home visits, offer breastfeeding support, check baby’s weight-gain and vitals, and offer emotional support as needed. We also offer newborn metabolic screening tests, will apply for baby’s birth certificate, and can do a PAP (well-woman) exam at 6 weeks post partum.
Our journey together ends at 6 weeks post partum, but we always love receiving pictures of you & baby beyond this time!