Prenatal Care
Attentive and individualized prenatal care
You will receive individualized care with an emphasis on shared-decision making and informed consent. This is your baby and your family! I am here to help you navigate the many decisions regarding recommendations for lab work or other testing, and the 'normal' procedures and protocols typically required by hospital-based care. Prenatal visits usually last for 45min-1 hour and will include assessment of both mama and baby, discussions on nutrition, exercise, emotions and a healthy lifestyle. Usually prenatal care begins around 10-12 weeks of pregnancy and occurs
-every 4 weeks during the first and second trimester
-every 2 weeks from 28 weeks until 36 weeks
-one in-home prenatal visit at 36-37 weeks to prepare for birth
-every week from 36 weeks until birth
Aside from the home visit at 36 weeks, these will be performed in my home-based office in Independence, MO.
Homebirth
Undisturbed labor and birth care
You will have 24/7 access to your midwife as you await the start of labor. Once your labor has begun, you and your midwife will stay in close contact to decide when she should head your way. On arrival, your midwife will quietly set up her equipment and begin assessing you and your baby in the least disruptive way possible. As your draw closer to delivery, your midwife will call a second midwife or birth assistant to be present for your birth. You may choose to labor in any position, eat and drink freely, and give birth in the water or anywhere else you desire.
Family Centered Postpartum Care
Supporting you and your baby after birth
You will receive full support of the 'golden hour' during which you can bond skin-to-skin with your baby and family, initiate breastfeeding, and begin to recover from the hard work of labor. Your midwife will stay with you at your home until you and baby are settled and you are ready to be alone (usually 2-4 hours after birth, depending on the family). Your first and second postpartum visits will happen in your own home on day one and day seven. After this, you will have three additional planned postpartum visits in the office. The birth certificate will be registered by your midwife. Any additional care with postpartum, your newborn, or breastfeeding will be provided for each mama as she has need.
Sneak Peek Clinical - Gender Testing as early as 6 wks!
