Midwives are healthcare providers who focus on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and postpartum health. They’re known for their holistic and natural approach to birth, making them a popular choice for those wanting a non-medicated birth or home birth. They’re a great option for low-risk pregnancies or when there are only mild complications. Midwives offer a range of services depending on their training and certifications such as: · Prenatal checkups and routine pregnancy monitoring · Ultrasounds and prenatal blood tests · Support during birth and newborn care · Postpartum care and advice · Education on nutrition, breastfeeding, and fertility · Birth control and family planning · Pap tests and breast exams · Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other vaginal issues · And more

A doula and a midwife offer different types or services, even though both may support the childbirth experience. Midwives have medical training and during prenatal visits and the birth process, the focus is on having a safe and healthy dyad (mom and baby). Doula's focus more on the needs of the mother, by offering mental, physical, and emotional support. Below are a few things your doula will not do: · Make medical decisions on your behalf. Your provider wants to hear from you. · Take over your partner's role or anyone else you may choose to be at your birth. · Make medical judgments or clinical recommendations. · Perform clinical tasks, such as blood pressure checks, fetal assessments, vaginal exams, etc.

Our all-inclusive midwifery fee is base on many factors such as insurance, Medicaid, or cash pay. I am an out of network provider with insurance companies, however I am happy to get you in touch with a professional billing specialist to see if you are eligible for reimbursement or an approval with your insurance. The retainer fee, birth kit, birth assistant, and birth pool purchase or rental options are to be covered by the client. I want my care to be accessible for those who want it. I don’t want for cost to be a barrier to accessing my care. With that being said, I offer discounts for early pay, cash pay, co-care, etc. Do not be afraid to reach out based on cost, we can usually find a way to make it work together! For those looking for holistic midwifery prenatal, postpartum, wellness GYN care, and lactation consults. I offer appointments every week. Sliding scale options are available for those who are currently uninsured, unemployed, or on Medicaid.

An initial prenatal visit is typically done around 8-12 weeks, which includes discussing your medical & pregnancy history, drawing labs if needed, going over informed choice documents & what you desire for your pregnancy & birth. The subsequent prenatal visits schedule will be every 4 weeks until 28 weeks of pregnancy. At or around 28 weeks, all visits will be every 2 weeks until 36 weeks of pregnancy. At or around 36 weeks the visits will be at your home to complete third trimester labs and cultures, check out your birth space, make suggestions, finalize a back-up/transfer plan, discuss supplies to gather, meet family and/ doula, revisit your birth preferences, etc., and then starting at 37 weeks we will have weekly prenatal visits in our office or in your home until birth. During prenatal visits we will chat, drink a cup of tea, discuss your nutrition/ exercise/ emotional status, any aches/ pains you may be experiencing (& ways to treat them). Prenatal visits also includes drawing labs and other routine testing, checking vitals, and monitoring baby’s growth & heart rate. If you already have kids, they are more than welcome to come along to play and ask questions. You will be provided with resources or referrals for programs/services/providers/etc as needed. We will also discuss what to expect in the coming weeks and how to best prepare for your birth at home. The midwifery team is on call beginning at 37 weeks. We provide attentive care during your labor, birth, immediate postpartum and a comprehensive head-to-toe newborn examination. We will monitor and assess you & the baby to ensure everything is normal and transport appropriately if homebirth is no longer a safe option. Waterbirth or water immersion during labor is absolutely an option for those who desire it. Birth tubs are available for rent, or you can purchase your own. We stay roughly around 2-4 hours postpartum during the transition to ensure you and baby are doing well and breastfeeding is successful. The first postpartum home visit will occur within 24-48 hours after the birth (this visit will include the Newborn screening test, Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) screening, follow up of the birthing person and newborn). Another home visit within the first to second week postpartum (this will include follow up newborn weight, the birthing person, and newborn care). The visit date will depend on when the pediatricians appointment is scheduled (newborn information will be provided to the pediatrician). A follow up Telehealth visit can be provided after the final 1-2 week postpartum visit. During these visits we check on your emotional & physical well-being, as well as your baby, to ensure they are adjusting well to life outside the womb. Plan for well-baby care with a primary care provider by 5 days to 1 week postpartum. Please be advised if you transfer care while in labor or prior, we may continue with your postpartum visits at home. These visits will vary depending on the day of discharge. Newborn care will have to continue with a pediatrician. During the 6-week postpartum visit in the office. We will hold space for your birth story, assess physical healing, a pap test if desired, check in for emotional well-being, discuss plans for future pregnancies or options to prevent pregnancy, examine the baby, & talk about any issues or difficulties you may be experiencing.