What are the benefits of having a homebirth with a licensed midwife?

Birth is an event of a lifetime. It is a normal and everyday occurance, while also having the opportunity to provide lasting impact on all of the people involved. It is raw, primal, and important. A birth has the opportunity to impact the birther, the baby, and the family forever. As such, choosing the right provider and the right place of birth is an important factor to consider. Midwives recognize pregnancy and birth as normal life events. Homebirth has not only proven to be beneficial for the mom, but for the baby and partner as well because: 

* The care offered is individualized, which means that all the decisions made about your care or your baby’s care are made together with you. You will be provided with educational tools and information to make informed, safe choices.

* Midwives offer evidence-based care, which means that we are up-to-date on the research regarding pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding.

* Your care is delivered in your own home - your own environment - which means you can feel comfortable and at ease. During birth you can move around without restrictions. You are in control of the situation.

* The normal process of birth is trusted and not interrupted. As your body moves in response to the labor, progress happens more easily, decreasing the need for medical intervention.

* Bonding with your baby is facilitated and encouraged with limited interruptions in the postpartum period. We encourage immediate skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping and the early initiation of breastfeeding. You will never be separated from your baby or your partner in a home birth.

* Giving birth with a licensed midwife at home offers a woman a measure of control that is generally unavailable in the hospital (freedom to move, eat, bathe).

What and who do you bring to a birth?

Some of the equipment we bring includes:

* Doppler or fetoscope to intermittently auscultate (listen to) your baby’s heartbeat

* Birth pool if desired

* Blood pressure cuff and stethoscope to monitor your blood pressure

* Sterile instruments for cutting the umbilical cord

* Suturing kit and local anesthesia

* Baby scale, tape measure, infant stethoscope 

* Medication for emergency situations including pharmaceuticals to control excessive bleeding and IV fluids

* Herbal tinctures and homeopathics to help enhance or calm the experience

* Oxygen and resuscitation equipment

What happens if a complication develops during my pregnancy? 

Midwives are highly skilled in recognizing the normal course of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. They are also experts at distinguishing issues that are outside the realm of normal and may benefit from a transfer of care or consult. If something develops that appears concerning, I will consult with my community, which includes OBGYN’s I work closely with, and may possibly refer the client to a specialized doctor who will make a further assessment. It may be that the issue is benign and of no concern, or the client may need further specialized medical care. In the case that a problem develops that is outside of my normal scope of midwifery, the care of low-risk women, I will help you find the best physician for your needs or initiate transfer to a local labor and delivery unit.

Is Homebirth Safe? 

Published studies show that planned home births with skilled midwives are safe for low-risk pregnancies. Evidence also demonstrates that women at low risk of complications during the birth have the same outcomes, whether they have their baby in the hospital or in their home with qualified midwives.

Safe outcomes with positive benefits include:

* High rate of vaginal birth

* Low intrapartum and neonatal fetal death rate

* Low rate of low APGAR scores

* High rate of breastfeeding

* Few emergency transfers

* Low rates of intervention like cesarean section or the use of pitocin.

It is my goal to have safe outcomes in which you and your baby can thrive. I work with low-risk individuals and use my clinical skills and screenings for ongoing risk assessment during our time together. I am trained and experienced in identifying and managing situations which fall outside the norm and I am adept at facilitating transfers into medical care when necessary.  

Do I need to see a doctor for my prenatal or postpartum care?

Homebirth midwives offer comprehensive care during pregnancy, birth and postpartum including the first weeks/months after the baby is born. You do not need to see a physician for your prenatal care if you are under the care of a homebirth midwife. My care includes recognizing clinical situations requiring the attention of an obstetrician or pediatrician and referring you to one if necessary. I have established relationships with local physicians for consultation when appropriate.

I have working relationships with a prescribing providers in Utah whom are available for consults with and can prescribe medications as necessary if you develop an issue that might benefit from being treated by pharmaceuticals.

Is a doula the same as a Midwife?

A midwife is a primary maternity care provider with medical skills and training that supports women to maintain healthy pregnancies and have optimal births and recoveries during the postpartum period. A midwife cares for mothers and their infants and provides women with individualized care uniquely suited to their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs. (Taken from mana.org website)

A doula is a professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth. (Taken from DONA website)

Doulas have understanding and knowledge of the phases of labor and offer emotional support through labor and birth.  While doula’s are well versed in helping their client’s navigate labor and birth, in and out of the hospital, they are not medical care providers like a Midwife is. Some doulas train with and gain (optional) certification through professional doula organizations. Many doulas learn their trade through their labor and birth experiences.

What if I want a water birth?

Many people enjoy using hydrotherapy as a comfort measure during labor and birth. Warm water can be soothing, distracting, and might provide some relief from the intensity of the experience.

Prenatal education, the midwifery model of care, and a supportive team are all integral to helping promote a birth that you might envision for yourself.

I have birth pools available for use should you desire to have that option during labor. We can also use massage, acupressure, verbal cues, and more to help guide you through relaxing and opening. The freedom of movement that you will have in your home during labor will also help your body to labor and birth your baby.

Do you accept insurance?

I’m not an in network provider with any insurance but can provide you with a super bill should you like to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

We are able to accept FSA and HSA cards for payment!