Family-Centered Maternity Care
My goal as a midwife is to nurture your whole family and to honor the birth process. You will receive individualized professional care. I understand how a safe and gentle birth can foster family intimacy; consequently, I encourage partner involvement and welcome sibling participation if it is desired. I foster an environment that is supportive of baby-led bonding and breastfeeding.
Your initial prenatal visit will be approximately 1 ½ hours long. This enables us to cover the paperwork and the lab work in addition to the regular prenatal visit. An hour is scheduled for subsequent visits. The focus of each prenatal is driven by your needs, but may include your growing baby, your nutrition and activity level, your hopes and fears, your childbirth education options, your emotional health, common prenatal tests, birth preparation and planning, and so much more. Hour long prenatals allow me to individualize your care and foster mutual trust.
Physically, I will monitor how you and your baby are doing. Tools that are used to help me assess how you and your baby are doing include urinalysis, blood pressure, fetal heart tones, and measuring fundal height. Additionally, I am knowledgeable about using herbs and homeopathics for common pregnancy discomforts.
We will be in close contact during early labor. In general, women do better if they continue with their normal activities as much as possible during early labor. I try to time my arrival so that I am there when you are in active labor. Of course, every woman is different and my arrival will be dependent upon your needs. During labor, I frequently assess how you and your baby are doing physically, and I may suggest comfort measures such as massage, hydrotherapy, walking, homeopathy, etc. You will be encouraged to eat and drink throughout early labor for energy. I am trained in waterbirths (and have had two myself); they are wonderful for pain relief! I have an Aqua Doula birth tub that can be rented if you desire to use water immersion as a form of pain relief.
My assistant and I will stay for a minimum of two hours following the birth. We evaluate you and perform a thorough newborn exam. I do not separate the mother-baby dyad. I promote baby-led bonding and am knowledgeable in breastfeeding support.
I offer integrated care for you and your baby for six weeks after the birth. During this time period, we may discuss postpartum depression, family planning, and the transition to parenthood, among other subjects. I also provide breastfeeding support during this time period. I can also perform a Pap Smear at eight weeks postpartum, if desired.
As a mother of four and as a midwife, I understand how important it is to have maternity care that is tailored to your needs.