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Benefits of Homebirth
- Longer prenatal visits that typically last 45 minutes to an hour - time to get to know the mother, her family and what type of birth she is looking for
- Extensive prenatal education regarding testing choices, nutrition, holistic healing, preparation for birth
- One or both midwives in the practice are on call for clients 24/7 - with urgent question or concerns, clients reach us directly. No receptionist, no strangers
- All new clients are given a beautiful book on pregnancy and birth that features waterbirth and homebirth as normal options
- Parents are invited to borrow a fetoscope mid-pregnancy which they can keep until after the birth
- First-time parents receive a book on baby care and breastfeeding
- A large lending library of books (for parents and siblings!) and videos are always available for clients
- There are no "shoulds" or rigorous protocols or time frames for labor and birth. Patience, warm support and privacy are the most commonly used "tools" at a birth
- Parents have the freedom to invite who they would like to their birth - and the midwives recognize that they are invited guests to this sacred experience
- Laboring mothers can eat, drink and move as they wish. No restrictions on positions, location of birth, or food intake.
- Siblings may be involved as much as they desire prenatally and at the birth
- When labors slow down,we typically prefer to help facilitate rest rather than speed things up
- We trust that labors happen in unique ways for a reason. No two labors are exactly alike - nor do we expect them to be. We trust that women's bodies and babies work together to birth.
- Vaginal exams are not done prenatally or in labor unless the mother asks specifically or there is an issue that we're concerned about. Even when there is concern, full disclosure is given and permission asked
- Partners are encouraged (with the mother) to "catch" their own baby - the experience of creating their child comes full circle
- It is not uncommon, with healthy vigorous newborns, for the midwives not to touch the baby for at least the first hour to help facilitate bonding and the physiological process of expelling the placenta and slowing blood loss
- A newborn exam is done in the mother's arms or right next to her on the bed - and only after a considerable amount of time for bonding has occurred
- Births in our practice hardly ever take place on a bed...women are encouraged to follow their body's lead, which usually means they birth upright
- Midwives clean up during and after the birth - including the birth tub. Laundry and the dishes are done, a snack is prepared for the new family
- One or both midwives visit the new family in their home at one day, three day, one week and two weeks postpartum. An optional six week postpartum visit takes place in the office
- Both midwives are on call 24/7 for breastfeeding assistance and in-person help postpartum
- Above all, the midwife team considers childbirth to be an intimate, emotional and spiritual event. We do not underestimate the role of gentle, unhindered birth on the positive creation of family.
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