Prenatal Care
Prenatal visits are 30 minutes each. Each prenatal is a time to not only assess how the pregnancy is proceeding physically,
but also a time for mom and midwife to get to know each other better. Time is spent answering mom's questions about her pregnancy and educating her about the changes her body is going through. We want to know how well you are sleeping, eating, exercising, etc…
These are important factors in determining how well you feel.
Listed below are some of the physical assessments that we perform: |
Urinalysis
Weight
Vital Signs-B/P, P, Temp as needed
Fundal Height/Fetal Heart Rate/Fetal Position, Activity and Growth
Varicosities
Edema
Risk Assessment-any signs or symptoms of pre-eclampsia
|
Sonograms
| Most often sonograms are not medically necessary, yet we acknowledge that many families want to see their baby via an ultrasound. The most common time to take a good look at your baby is between 18 and 20 weeks. If parents wish, or when needed for a medical reason, sonograms are ordered through several different local imaging centers or through a consulting geneticist if desired. |
 |
Labor and Birth
We encourage as much family involvement during labor and birth as is possible if desired by mom. We have a strong belief that there is a great opportunity for a family to come together during a birth in order to help the mother through her labor and to witness the birth of this precious baby. This is a wonderful bonding time.
We encourage the mother to give birth in just about any position she feels comfortable in. Squatting is one of the best positions for labor and birth because it opens up the pelvis to allow more room for descent of baby and results in less tears. Perineal massage and warm herbal compresses are applied to the perineum to reduce the chance of tearing, not to mention it also feels great! Mom is encouraged to slow down her pushing as the head crowns in an effort to allow the perineum to stretch.
Dads, partners, or any family member can help catch their baby or support in whatever way is best for mom.
As soon as the baby is born, he/she is immediately handed to the mother and all newborn assessments are done while mom is holding her baby. An Apgar score is done at 1 and 5 minutes. Breastfeeding is encouraged as soon as possible after birth. The baby is usually alert and ready to nurse and it helps to clear the baby’s lungs of any excess fluid, keeps baby warm and content, and causes uterine contractions to help birth the placenta. Baby is never taken from mom... there is no newborn nursery!
We also offer home birth services. We have portable equipment and supplies that we bring to your home and provide you with the information you need to prepare your birth space. We are happy to answer your questions and learn how we can best serve you and your family.
Labor monitoring and support includes:
Labor History - Contraction frequency, duration, and intensity
Membrane status - intact or ruptured, if so-color, amount, odor, discharge
Intake - Yes! We like for you to eat and drink during labor!
Vitals - B/P, P, Temp.
Fetal Heart Rate - assessed every 30 minutes in active labor and more frequently during pushing - no belts strapped to your tummy during labor and birth
Fetal Lie, Presentation, and Position - confirm that the baby is head down and anterior
Vaginal exams - dilation, effacement, station
Pain Relief Techniques - position changes, massage, acupressure points, water immersion/water birth, herbs, homeopathy
Medications and IV's are available for postpartum hemorrhage and suturing if needed
Pain Relief
We believe that natural birth is best for mother and baby. We recommend natural childbirth classes in order to be fully prepared for your birth. We have alternative methods of relieving discomfort during labor. Waterbirth is our best tool! Many women call it the aquadural! Even health insurance companies have a code that we bill for aquatherapy as it is recognized as a legitimate form of pain relief. 90% of our mothers use our beautiful jacuzzi tub to labor and or give birth in. We also have other therapies that help with labor such as herbal and homeopathic combinations that help with relaxation. Massage is another tool that is helpful.
Postpartum Care
Mom and baby stay a minimum of two hours at the birth center following the birth. Most families want to stay longer and get some sleep before they go home. The average stay is 6-8 hours. Checkups are scheduled as follows:
• 24-72 hour checkup
• 2 week checkup
• 6 week checkup
Newborn Exam
A thorough newborn exam is done at mom's side when the baby is approximately two hours old. Prior to the newborn exam, baby's lungs, heart rate and temperature are assessed while mom is holding her baby. We are certified in CPR and neonatal pulmonary resuscitation and have experience in resuscitating babies if needed.
Some of the newborn assessments include:
Weight and Length - Head, chest, and stomach circumference
Vitals - Respirations, Heart Rate, Temperature
Reflexes - moro, grasp, suck, swallow, sneeze,etc.
Skin - color, birthmarks, vernix
Head and neck - fontanels, caput, molding, cephalhematoma
Back - normal curve, hair tuft
General Appearance - activity, muscle tone, cry-shrill or high-pitched
Eyes - placement, reactive; erythromycin ointment applied to prevent blindness (state law)
Ears, nose, throat - placement, tags, nasal flaring, cleft lip/palate, webbing
Chest/breast - retractions, congestion, heart sounds, clavicles, movement of arms
Abdomen - rises with chest, masses, umbilical hernia, cord treatment
Genitals - well developed, discharge in females, testes descended, urethral meatus position, urination
Anus - patent, meconium
Vitamin K injection available
