Midwifery Services

Client-Centered Care

The term "midwife" means "with-woman," which indicates care that is woman-centered. Our intention is to provide support for you during your pregnancy and birth journey, whatever that may look like. We have a deep respect and trust for this natural process, and in your body's innate knowledge and wisdom. We offer evidenced-based information to help you make an informed choice, and honor that choice.

Regular clinic prenatal visits and lab tests

Childbirth education

Ultrasound referrals

One in-home prenatal visit at 36 weeks

Water birth included, if desired

Birth kit provided

Care in the home at onset of active labor until 3-4 hours after birth

Midwife and birth assistant(s) present, with emergency skills and equipment

Two in-home visits

Two clinic visits

Basic breastfeeding assistance

Routine newborn care

Pap smear offered at the final six week visit

Pregnancy Care

Because we value your birth journey, our prenatal visits will never be rushed. In addition to checking fetal heart tones, routine labs, ultrasound referrals, etc., we include time for childbirth education as needed. We answer any questions you might have about the childbirth process, helping you to birth with confidence and trust in your body's innate wisdom.

We require that all individuals planning to attend the birth (husband, doula, mother-in-law, etc.) come to at least one prenatal visit. Our prenatal visit schedule:

Initial visit (as early as 6 weeks if desired) which includes an OB Panel
Every 4 weeks until 28 weeks
Every 2 weeks until 37 weeks
A 37 week in-home visit, where we bring the birth supplies and waterbirth tub, if desired
Weekly from 37 weeks until birth or up to 42 weeks pregnant

We follow an informed consent model of care, meaning that no test is mandatory, although we might strongly recommend some. As parents choosing a home birth, you are already taking more responsibility for your pregnancy and birth outcomes. We know that you desire to take the decision-making power back, and we freely give it.

Additional referrals may be made to other professionals at times. For example, we may recommend chiropractic adjustments, bio-physical profiles, pelvic floor therapy, etc.

Home Birth Care

Because we've met with you frequently throughout your pregnancy, we will know and understand what is important to you at your labor and birth.

We trust in your body's wisdom for the timing of the birth, so we wait for you to go into spontaneous labor between 37 weeks and 42 weeks. Your midwife will stay in communication with you and your partner during early labor. When you are ready, the birth team will come to your home in a non-disruptive manner, allowing labor and birth to unfold in whatever way is most comfortable for you.

The majority of births do not need interference. However, if the unexpected happens, rest assured that your birth team is prepared for handling emergencies. For example, your midwife is licensed to carry pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies to help stop a hemorrhage, and the birth team is trained in neonatal resuscitation in case the baby is not breathing. In some cases, transporting to a hospital may be the safest way to ensure the health of you and your baby. We would continue to assist you at the hospital, but in a supportive doula role instead of a medical role.

Our goal is to fiercely protect your sacred birth space, while ensuring safety at the same time. If you have an uncomplicated delivery at home, your midwife will remains with you for the immediate 3-4 hours after you give birth, which includes your newborn exam.

Postpartum Care

Adjusting to newborn life is both beautiful and overwhelming. We encourage you to stay in the comfort of your own birth bubble for the first week after birth, so the early postpartum visits will be at your home. We then welcome you back to join us at the clinic for the remaining visits.

Postpartum schedule: