YOUR CARE

My goal in your care is for this to be your birth

I want you to feel like you make the decisions about your health care, consulting with Becky, your midwife, as necessary for understanding.  Your autonomy is a core principle.This is unique. It is very important to me that you feel like you chose as much of the environment and birth team as possible. We will spend the time needed to make sure you feel informed and knowledgeable about each decision for you and your baby. Although many of the aspects of my care follow a routine schedule, there is nothing routine about my care for you. More visits, more information, personalized research to best meet your needs; these are hallmarks of my individualized care.

Prenatal

  • The day of your prenatal visit has arrived. Your child runs to the door, peers out, and announces loudly, “Ma!!! The midwife is here!”

  • Gently paced prenatal visits over a snack or a cup of herbal tea

  • Your toddler happily getting to push the button on the Doppler to hear the baby’s heartbeat

  • Good humor, heartfelt discussion, questions asked and answered

  • Well-researched and informed shared decision-making process

  • Evidence-based care, in the comfort of your home.

Labor
  • Brainstorming what your birth might be like—and asking for it in labor
  • Laboring in your own space, with support as needed and desired.
  • Asking your birth team to leave the room for 30 minutes to bond with your partner—to look into each other’s eyes and remember you are doing an amazing work for your child
  • Your midwife or her assistant listening attentively to baby’s heartbeat, assessing your vital signs, and labor progression, matching the pattern to normal.
  • Breathing heroically through intense contractions, being reminded that “This.Is.Normal.”
  • Laboring and birthing in your space, where you can imagine conception also happening; low lights, good music, intimacy, connection, joy, reverence, love.
  • The birth being family-centered in your family space of love.
Postpartum
  • Being able to call, text and email a knowledgeable friend about this wobbly newborn who won’t stop crying any time of the day or night!
  • Wondering whether your baby’s poop is a bad color! And having someone to ask!
  • Someone coming to your home with no judgment and calming your concerns, fears, and frustrations with respect and empowerment.

“However much we know about birth in general, we know nothing about a particular birth. We must let it unfold with its own uniqueness.”

– Elizabeth Noble