“The choices and preparations that you make before the birth have a great impact on your birth experience. This is because of the wide range of attitudes among the maternity caregivers and clinical staffs at different hospitals, birth centers, and home birth practices. It is important to make choices that match your attitudes as closely as possible.” Penny Simkin, author and the founder of DONA International.
Prenatal appointments allow time for both clinical care for you and your baby, and time to build a relationship throughout your pregnancy. The typical appointment lasts for 45 to 60 minutes.
Appointments every 4 weeks from early pregnancy until the beginning of your third trimester, appointments every 2 weeks from week 28 to week 36, then weekly appointments for the remainder of your pregnancy
Prenatal visit in your home at 36 weeks to discuss your birth preferences.
Lab work is done in the office, and choices on testing are offered throughout the pregnancy so that you can make informed decisions regarding your care.
Sonogram referrals
You will receive a notebook to keep with you throughout the pregnancy that has evidence based information in it. We will use this throughout your pregnancy to discuss important topics and to give you resources for beginning to make informed decisions for yourself and your baby.
Communication throughout your pregnancy for your questions and concerns - you will have my number to call or text as needed, outside of your regular appointments.
Co-care and consultations with other medical professionals if the need arises during your pregnancy.
Recommendations for prenatal childbirth education classes, doulas, body work, nutritionists, pediatricians, and other resources within the community to help you have as much care and support as you desire throughout your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Individualized care for your specific needs throughout your pregnancy. This is a time full of physical and emotional changes, and each person and family has different needs and desires.
Inclusion of your family in your prenatal care; the growing of a baby and preparation for a new family member affects more than the mother! You are welcomed and encouraged to involve whomever you desire in your appointments, and the office is child friendly! Big brothers and sisters often love to help with measuring the growing belly and listening to the baby’s heartbeat!
Direct access to communicating with your midwife 24/7 when labor is occurring. We will discuss prenatally the signs of labor and you and your partner will feel comfortable knowing when to call me, anytime, to come to your birth!
Options for birth locations; home birth and birth center births are both offered, with several locations to choose from if birth center birth is desired.
Support throughout your labor and birth with suggestions for position changes and specific techniques to help with labor progress, support for your partner in knowing how to help you during labor, and support in providing and suggesting comfort measures to help you through labor.
Option for laboring and birthing in water, with referrals for birth pool kit rental, and clean up/take down of birth pool following the birth - no mess left for you to worry about after having a baby!
Two licensed midwives attending your birth; myself and an assistant midwife.
Freedom in your birth choices; who you want present at your birth is your choice, movement, position changes, laboring in and out of water, photographing and/or videoing your birth are all encouraged if you desire those options.
Herbal bath prepared and facilitated within the first few hours postpartum to help with healing after birth and bonding with your new baby.
Support and information in making informed decisions in the event that interventions are necessary, and professionalism in the event a transport is needed during labor or following the birth. If transport occurs, I remain with you for the course of your labor and birth, and can also continue with your postpartum care. A birth that doesn’t take place in the planned birth location should not also result in the loss of your trusted care provider; you often need even more support in these situations.
A thorough newborn examination in the first few hours following birth, including a head to toe assessment of your baby, weight and measurements of your baby, options for giving or declining Vitamin K and erythromycin eye ointment, and a commemorative certificate with your baby’s footprints. This is a great opportunity for siblings to be involved if they want to be, and for you to learn about your newborn!
Priority for mother and family bonding with their newborn baby - involvement in the labor and birth to the comfort level and desire of each client, skin to skin, baby with mother as much as possible, vital signs and assessments done while baby is being held by the mother or family.
Breastfeeding support from the first latch throughout the rest of your postpartum care, encouragement, information, problem solving assessment and support.
Before I leave your home or you depart from the birth center, we will review postpartum care instructions for mother and baby and you will have access to contact me 24/7 if any questions or concerns arise.
Postpartum visit for you and baby done in your home 24-48 hours after the birth. This visit includes the first newborn screening test as well as the non-invasive screening for Critical Congenital Heart Defects.
Postpartum visits in the office for you and baby between 1-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks, and 6 weeks. The 1-2 week visit includes the second newborn screening test, part of the newborn testing requirements from the state of Texas. You won’t need to take your newborn to a separate lab or location!
Assessment of baby’s weight and overall health and adjustment to life outside of your womb!
Opportunity to process your labor and birth and discuss how you and your family are adjusting to life with your new baby; your physical, mental, and emotional health are important during this transitional time!
Referrals as needed for community resources including postpartum doulas, mommy and baby support groups/classes, therapists specializing in postpartum mood disorders, pelvic floor physical therapists, lactation consultants, and more!
Continuation of breastfeeding support and information.
Option for pap smear and information/discussion on the most up to date recommendations for testing.
Information on your options for family planning!
““Thanks for not only the prenatal service you gave, but the hope and love and friendship you bring to me (and I’m sure many others!) I didn’t imagine my midwife would become a dear friend!”
- Holly M. ”
Choosing your care provider is the most important decision that you will make and will impact how you feel about your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. I want you to feel fully confident that you are making the decision that is best for you and your growing family, and would love to meet with you for a complimentary consultation to answer your questions and provide you with information. Fill out the contact form, email, call, or text me to set up a consultation.
