Free Consultation Visit:

I encourage you and your family to meet with me. A typical consultation lasts about an hour. This informal meeting lets us start getting to know each other and see if there is a mutual fit. During this time I’ll share my experiences, explain available services and most importantly, give you time to ask questions. It is important to explore all your birthing options before making a decision.

Prenatal Care:

• Home Visits: Many women appreciate this option (especially those with small children). I welcome family participation. When adults and children observe and participate during the pregnancy they feel more relaxed and secure when I arrive for your birth.
• Collaborative Relationships: My role is to support and guide you through your pregnancy and birth. I provide information and education. This empowers to you actively participate in your own care, make informed decisions and take responsibility for your own health.
• Medical History, Exams and Ultrasounds: I will thoroughly discuss your medical history. Physical and gynecological exams are performed as needed. Most lab work can be done in the office or at your home. If an ultrasound is required, a referral to the doctors at Valley Medical can be made.
• Prenatal Visits: Visits usually last an hour or more. I allow plenty of time to talk, answer questions and discuss your concerns. I want you to feel prepared for childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting. Additionally, I do all the same things a doctor would do. This includes checking your blood pressure, urine and weight, listening to baby’s heartbeat, palpating the baby’s position and measuring your baby’s growth.
• Appointment Scheduling: To make certain your pregnancy is progressing safely, visits are scheduled every 3 weeks through your 28th week. Between your 28th and 36th week, you’ll have an appointment every other week. After that visits occur weekly until delivery.
• Massage: I offer a back and hip massage as you approach your due date. As your body grows and changes this helps ease the various aches and pains you may experience.
• Nutritional and Lifestyle Counseling: In depth counseling is core to midwifery care, and helps prevent many of the complications that can arise during pregnancy.
• Naturopathic Care: As a naturopathic doctor, I bring my extensive training and experience to midwifery care. I offer homeopathy, herbal medicine and a host of other proven therapies to support healthy pregnancy.

Homebirth:

• When your contractions begin or your bag of water breaks I come to you.
• During early labor you may choose to have me stay with you, or you may feel more comfortable having private time with your partner or family.
• I believe birth is a normal, natural process. I will watch over you and guide you as well as monitor you and your baby to ensure safety and well being.
• I offer sensitive support, encouragement and validation.
• I provide physical support, (such as massage) and offer suggestions as appropriate. I honor your body’s wisdom and allow your innate knowledge of how to birth your baby come forward.
• You may have anyone you desire at your birth, including siblings.
• As your baby is born, your partner may be the one to receive the baby if desired.
• After baby is born, he or she will go directly into Mother’s arms. This allows for the smoothest most natural transition into the world.
• There is no rush to cut the umbilical cord.
• I’ll help mother and baby with initial breastfeeding and give your family time to bond.
• In due time I examine you and your baby. When I do I will explain everything I do.
• After the birth, I make sure you have something to eat, and assist in the clean up process.
• If desired, Mother and baby can relax in an herbal bath.
• I stay as long as needed after the birth (at least 3 hours) to be certain both mother and baby are stable.
• I’ll carefully explain what to expect after birth and am available 24 hours a day to address any concerns that may arise.
• I stay in close contact with you following the birth. Your first home postpartum visit is scheduled within 36 hours of the birth.

Hospital Labor and Delivery Support:

• The best outcomes for birth happen where the mom and her partner feel safe. Some couples feel most comfortable with the idea of a hospital birth.
• Sometimes women with high-risk pregnancies or women who develop complications outside the scope of practice as direct-entry midwives can be most safely cared for in the hospital.
• As a homebirth midwife, I have extensive experience supporting women through childbirth. I am not a doula. I offer a far broader range of support based on my midwifery skills and experience.
• I offer additional prenatal care and share records with your doctor.
• I have worked with all of the doctors at Valley Medical and have experience working with them in the hospital setting.
• I will help you clarify your preferences and create a birth plan.
• I can provide early labor support at home and help you decide when its time to go to the hospital.
• While I am a certified midwife, I do not have hospital privileges and can not provide medical care while in the hospital.
• The hospital is an unfamiliar place for many people. Though the staff at the hospital is wonderful, you may have never met any of them before you arrive to have your baby. And though you may have prepared yourself by taking childbirth classes, sometimes in the midst of labor, you may not remember all that you learned, especially if this is your first birth. I will help you with relaxation, breathing, massage, visualization and positioning.
• I provide continuity of care throughout your hospital labor and birth. You’ll be sure to have someone there that you know and trust. I am there to support and advocate for you.
• I am there also to support your partner who may be nervous about their role and responsibilities during this intense time.
• After your baby is born I’ll stay and assist you with breastfeeding, waiting to depart until the family is ready for some quiet time and rest. I will visit with you while you are in the hospital and offer home visits after you and baby go home.

Newborn and Postpartum Care:

• Whether you birth your baby at home or in the hospital, I offer postpartum home visits during this important transition time.
• I visit frequently during the first week – usually at day 1, 3, 5 and 7 depending on your needs. This is an important time in establishing breastfeeding and family bonding.
• Home visits allow you to rest and recover eliminating the need to run around town for appointments. Resting speeds your recovery and helps your milk come in sooner.
• If you’ve had a hospital birth, sometimes the pediatrician will want you to come in for baby weight checks. I can do this for you at home and communicate for you with your baby’s doctor.
• After the first week I offer weekly visits for the first four weeks and once again at 6 weeks.
• At the six week visit I help you plan for contraception if desired and perform a gynecologic exam to make sure everything has returned to normal.
• If you desire to further care for yourself or your baby, I offer naturopathic care for the family after the 6 week visit.

Breastfeeding Support:

• Breastfeeding carries significant health and emotional benefits for you and your baby. The physical contact and hormonal effects of breastfeeding helps you bond with your baby.
• During your prenatal visits I will help you prepare for nursing your baby. Knowing what to expect helps prevent problems.
• Establishing breastfeeding and proper latch is one of my top priorities after birth and an integral part of the newborn postpartum visits.
• Breastfeeding difficulties are rare, but if you have never done it before, the first weeks can be challenging. I will be there to help you and your baby through it and let you know what is and isn’t normal.
• The hospital has excellent lactation specialists whom I refer to if needed, but most people need only the support and encouragement I provide at home.
• I encourage, but do not require you to breastfeed. This also is an informed choice I support you in making.