PRENATAL APPOINTMENTS AND CHECK UPS

An advantage of a home birth and midwifery services are the ability to create your own story and have as much family participation as you desire. Appointments with your midwife can be as custom as you would like. Children are welcome and encouraged to be a part of these visits as their life will be changing as well. Many children enjoy “assisting” as much as possible and become very excited for each visit to check on the baby.

Frequency of visits are once per month until the 28th week gestation, then visits are every two weeks until 36 weeks gestation, and then weekly until delivery. These visits are typically an hour to and hour and a half long to ensure you are given the time you need to receive quality care, and the time with your care provider you deserve. If you don’t need that much time, that is absolutely acceptable, but know that your time in the office is valued and whatever time you need is what you will receive. I strive to make sure you feel well prepared and not feeling like just another number in our health care system. The visits will take place in one of my offices or in your home.

Vital signs, urinalysis, maternal weight, fetal well-being including heart rate, position and size along with maternal well-being is a part of each visit. We will spend time each visit talking and going over nutrition, exercise, and pregnancy/ birth preparation. With the extended appointment time this allows you to ask any questions you have on your mind without feeling rushed.

THE BIRTH

I am on call for your birth needs 24 hours per day 7 days a week. This is the normal life of a midwife and believe it or not, most mothers go into labor in the middle of the night, so I expect to get interrupted from sleep.

 You will give me a call if you think labor has started or if your water has broken. I will instruct you on what needs to be done. Generally, I come during active labor when the contractions are a consistent pattern. I get the supplies set up and the environment situated according to your birth plan. I will get a labor assessment done fairly quickly to assure both mom and baby are handling labor with no unexpected problems.

I will continue to monitor labor and birth while honoring your birth plan. After the baby has made his or her arrival, there will be a newborn assessment including weight, length, and Apgar scores. I will continue to monitor both you and baby for a few hours to ensure normal postpartum transition. This will include the mother eating, drinking, emptying her bladder, walking a short distance to the bathroom unassisted, bleeding within normal limits, and all vital signs in healthy range. The baby will have to have nursed, have normal vital signs, and be adjusting to life outside of the womb as expected. This process normally takes approximately three hours, but I will not leave your home until both family and I feel comfortable to do so. I will educate you and your family on how to take care of yourself and baby before leaving along with providing printed educational material. I am still on call for your needs or questions if you should have concerns after my departure. Of course, I will be back the following day and many others for check- ups during the postpartum period.