Debbie Eakes

Midwife

Chula Vista, California

20 years of experience

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About me

I am a certified professional/licensed midwife since 2021 in Minnesota and South Dakota, and more recently California. I have been in the birth world since 2006 as a doula, certified lactation counselor, childbirth educator and midwifery apprentice. I enjoy walking with families as they begin their parenting journey.

Education

Associate of Midwifery Science (2021)

Certification and training

Childbirth educator (2008)

Lactation counselor (2015)

Doula (2006)

Certified Professional Midwife (2021)

Memberships and affiliations

MCCPM

California Association of Licensed Midwives

Credentials

CBE CLC CPM

Specialties

Adolescent Care Adoption Advanced Maternal Age Anxiety and Depression Birth and Lactation Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breastfeeding Support Childbirth Education Early Parenting Educator Evidence-Based Care Healthy Eating Herbal Postpartum Care Home Birth Infant Care Latch Issues Low Milk Supply/Over Supply Maternal Fetal Positioning Midwife Support Natural Birth Natural Childbirth Neonatal Resuscitation Program Newborn Care Newborn Exam Newborn Screening Nipple and Breast Pain Nutritional Counseling Parenting Parenting Support Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Postpartum Adjustment Postpartum Care Postpartum Depression Preconception Prenatal Care Returning to work (pumping, breastmilk storage, etc) Sibling Preparation Spirituality Support during Labor, Birth, and Postpartum Support in Pregnancy Loss Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Water birth

Languages

English, Spanish

Service introduction

I provide home birth midwifery, lactation counseling, pregnancy/childbirth & parenting classes, breastfeeding & parent support groups, and nutrition classes.

Packages

Homebirth

Prenatal visits: 90 minute visits are the standard for us as we begin to learn about each other and your little one. Typically visits start between 8-12 weeks. We see each other in the office once a month until 28 weeks, then every other week until 36 weeks. At 36 weeks we come to your home and then see each other every week in the office until your baby's arrival. Birth: we arrive once you are in active labor. A doula attends our first time moms and VBAC moms in the early stages of labor. After the baby is born, we stay until mom and baby are stable, usually about 3-4 hours. In the event of a transport during labor or the postpartum, the midwife stays with you. If a transfer of care is required before labor begins, either the midwife or a doula will stay in hospital to support the family. We do not currently take insurance, but can work out a payment plan. Postpartum care: We see you on the first & third day after your baby is born, Then, at the 1, 3 & 6 weeks. If more breastfeeding support is needed, we would schedule a CLC to see you in your home before 3 weeks or in the office after 3 weeks. We also recommend a postpartum doula if you think you will need more support. Postpartum services are included in the birth package for those that birth with us.

$5,500.00

USD Flat rate

PostPartum Doula

We see you on the first & third day after your baby is born, Then, at the 1, 3 & 6 weeks. If more breastfeeding support is needed, we would schedule a CLC to see you in your home before 3 weeks or in the office after 3 weeks. We also recommend a postpartum doula if you think you will need more support. Postpartum services are included in the birth package for those that birth with us. There are also postpartum doulas if you birth in hospital.

$1,500.00

USD Flat rate

Lactation services

We serve all those lactating, whether breastfeeding, pumping, a combination of the two, relactating or feeding adopted babies. In the first 3 weeks we will come to see you. After 3 weeks you come to see use at the office. We evaluate baby & mom as a dyad. Lactation consults include the initial 2-3 hours of assessment and support plus a follow up visit. Add $50 if done in the home.

$150.00

USD Flat rate

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Frequently asked questions

What is a midwife?

A midwife is a health care provider that specializes in low risk pregnancy and birth. We care for pregnant women during the prenatal, birth and postpartum periods. This includes preventive care and recognizing abnormal conditions, referring or consulting with other healthcare providers when needed and emergency care until resolved or additional help has arrived. Midwives administer medications and herbs, suture lacerations and manage complications that are within their scope. They develop a relationship with their clients, based on trust. The goal is a labor and birth completely supported. She provides all-encompassing care, education, and guidance for the mother and her newborn.

What does prenatal care look like?

The first appointment is at least two hours as we will go over your history and do an initial prenatal. Then we will meet once a month, for about 90 minutes, until your 28th week, when we will begin meeting every 2 weeks. At the 36th week, the birth team will come to you to make sure we know where we are going and to check that all supplies are present and accounted for. After that you will be seen once a week until delivery.

What will my birth look like?

That is up to you. I have seen rooms lit by candlelight, party births, just the parents, all the kids, all the animals, you get the picture. My job is to be the life guard and I do not get in your space often unless you want me to or I see a need. We use a lot of water as a comfort measure and good old fashioned "with woman" support. After the birth we work on bonding and feeding everyone, then we tuck you into bed and let you take a well deserved nap.

Who will be there?

Our team will consist of myself and at least one other student midwife or midwifery assistant. Student midwives & midwifery assistants are trained in CPR and NRP and will be in varying stages of their training. If this is your first baby, first home birth or a VBAC mom there will also be a doula.

What is the midwives model of care?

The MMOC is a new way to look at pregnancy and childbirth, as normal life events; and it has been shown to reduce birth injury, trauma and cesarean section. It is nurturing and hands on during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum. The MMOC includes: => Monitoring physical, psychological and the social well-being of a mother during her childbearing cycle => Providing personalized education, counseling and care with on-going hands-on help during the labor, delivery and postpartum => High quality, safe, affordable and respectful care => Minimizing the interventions of technology and produces excellent outcomes for low risk women, as well as vulnerable and at risk women => Identifying women who need referrals for obstetrical attention => The hallmarks of MMOC are being with women, listening to women and sharing decision making with them; while supporting women and their families to birth safely, undisturbed and with confidence.

What if I don't want a student or doula at my birth?

It is my job as a midwife to ensure that you and your baby are safe during delivery. While I believe that low risk pregnancies are generally safe, every once in awhile there is a hiccup that needs to be managed. With the birthing mother and baby being two, there should be a one to one ratio. It is also helpful to me if there are three present to do documenting and occasionally there is the need for a third pair of hands. If you are a first time mom or a VBAC mom, in my experience, these labors are longer. I like to have a doula involved to help the mother and her partner with comfort techniques. I have doulas that I have trained that can be invaluable in these situations. Although I am a doula as well, in order for me to be at peak performance it is necessary for me to have a doula present so that I can focus on the midwifery part of the birth. In addition, my road to midwifery was a long one, in part, because it was difficult for me to find preceptors willing to take students. It is part of my vision to train others and my responsibility to train the next generation as I was trained. If this is something that you are not comfortable with, I would encourage you to interview other midwives as well.