My Services
PRENATAL CARE
Each visit we have together builds towards the event of your child's birth. The early visits are geared towards getting to know each other, learning ways to connect with your baby, and learning about the imprinting that occurs in the womb. As your pregnancy progresses, we will spend more time talking about the birth process, what you can expect to feel and experience in labor, breastfeeding, and your life postpartum. Our visits together will be at least an hour long to allow adequate time for us to build a strong, trusting relationship, cover pertinent educational topics, and to allow plenty of time for your questions.
I can begin seeing you as early in the pregnancy as you wish. The typical appointment schedule is monthly appointments at 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. From 28 weeks onward, we move to a bi-weekly schedule (weeks 28, 30, 32, 34). From 36 weeks onward we will see each other weekly until your birth.
THE FINAL WEEKS OF PREGNANCY & LABOR
We will schedule a home visit for 36 weeks, just before your safe home birthing window opens. This visit will be attended by myself and my assistant, so you can get to know her if you do not know her already. If you have any other guests expected at your birth--friends, family, photographer, or doula, they should plan to attend this appointment as well. At this visit you'll receive the birth pool, we'll review your birth supplies, go over emergency plans, tour your home to familiarize ourselves so that we don't have to ask questions of you when you are focused on laboring. It is all a part of helping you have a seamless labor and postpartum time that is uninterrupted by mundane questions or frantic rummaging through your cabinets and home. It's a fun visit that kicks off the true waiting game for baby-- although baby may still be several weeks away from meeting all of us.
When labor begins I will be in frequent contact. Sometimes I'll stop by to check in on you and baby before active labor begins, especially if your waters have ruptured, if you are having trouble resting or finding comfort ahead of active labor, or if there is anything that warrants a closer look. Once an active labor pattern has begun I will make my way to your home, stay through the birth, and for several hours postpartum.
When I arrive for your birth you can expect me to evaluate your vital signs, check in with baby by palpating your belly for position, and listening to baby's heart tones with either a doppler or a fetoscope. I will see how you and your partner are coping with labor, then I'll begin setting up my supplies for the labor and birth. I will check in with you frequently while still giving you space to labor with your birth partner. If you need more hands on support, I'm there to offer suggestions and comfort to you. Most people labor faster and more easily without someone watching them constantly, so if you are doing well, I will let you continue to do so while I stay out of your way as much as is possible.
As you round the corner towards transition, I'll inch my way closer to you, observe even more closely with my eyes and ears, begin monitoring baby's heart tones more frequently, and station myself in such a way to help assist with catching the baby if needed. My goal with all families is to help to guide you or your partner through catching your baby yourself, if you wish. I stay within arms reach in case any help is needed, or to be immediately available to you and baby in the moments after birth.
POSTPARTUM CARE
I'll be visiting you several times in the first week after birth to make sure that everyone is healthy and adjusting. After that I will return at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks. If anything comes up in between visits, or if mom or baby are having any issues that require closer monitoring, I will come by more frequently. During these visits we'll assess baby's health and wellbeing, address lactation issues, and ensure you are healing nicely from the birth. We'll address any stresses you are facing, propose solutions, and make sure you are equipped with all you need to thrive, not just survive these first few weeks.