Midwifery Care
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Homebirth Service
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Homebirth/Waterbirth
I work with other midwives in the area and ensure that a second midwife will be available and on-call for your birth. At times and with your permission, we may have an apprentice-level midwife work with us and attend your birth. You will meet them prenatally if desired, usually around 36 weeks. Homebirth is a natural extension of a healthy pregnancy. We attend homebirths between 37 and 42 weeks in the Humboldt area.
Birthing your baby in the water has gained more recognition in recent times and is a safe comfort measure during many births. Whether or not you desire birthing your baby underwater, water therapy can be a useful tool in relaxation and easing tension during labor. We will give you information about renting a birth tub locally.VBAC (Vaginal Birth After a Cesarean)
If you’ve had a cesarean birth in the past, you may be considering a VBAC this time around. We will go over your previous birth history to determine if we’re able to work with you at home. According to many studies, women who attempt labor after a previous cesarean have a 70-85% chance of birthing vaginally, more if they’ve already had a successful VBAC.Postpartum Care
Once your baby emerges into the world during your homebirth, she or he will remain skin to skin with you, allowing bonding and breastfeeding to begin undisturbed.Babies continue to receive oxygenated blood and nourishment through the cord for several minutes following birth. We prefer to wait until the cord ceases to pulsate before cutting it and often wait longer.
Cassy, Summer and baby Abby
Breastfeeding is optimal and encouraged to begin in the first half hour to hour of life when babies are most alert and ready to learn. This natural process often goes well on its own. If any difficulties arise, however, we are prepared to assist you with practical skills that have helped lots of other nursing moms.
We stay with you and continue to check on you and your baby for at least three hours following birth. During this time, once bonding is well established, I do a newborn exam to check the baby from head to feet.
We visit you at least six times after the birth of your baby, more if needed. We offer home visits at days one, two, (3, optional) and five and return around day 10-12. In between your visits, I continue to be available by phone if anything comes up for you. You can opt to do the newborn screen (heel prick test) with Tree of Life on days 5 through 12. Additional visits occur at week three, with a final visit at six weeks post-birth, if you desire.