HOMEBIRTH MIDWIFERY

Midwives are professionals that support healthy women and infants. They are trained to support women in maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and optimal birth and postpartum recovery. They are holistic providers, practicing woman-centered care that tends to the whole woman: mind, body and spirit. A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) has met specific standards for certification set forth by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM).

A homebirth is exactly what it sounds like, it is laboring and birthing in the comfort of your own home! A recent study, which examined 17,000 planned homebirths, confirmed that among low-risk women, planned homebirth resulted in low rates of intervention and no increase in adverse outcomes for mothers and babies. (1) That is just one of many studies that point to the same thing: homebirth is a safe and valid option for low-risk women and their families. To read information on the many safety studies available, click here.

Several studies have shown that in homebirth, women are less likely to experience: low APGAR scores, severe lacerations, induction, augmentation, episiotomy, operative vaginal birth (forceps, vacuum), cesarean section (3.7% compared to 33%), fetal dystocia (abnormally slow or difficult labor due to abnormal fetal size or positioning) and postpartum hemorrhage. (2)(3)(4)

More benefits include having a single care provider that is relational and trustworthy, ability to have freedom of movement and control of your environment and choices.

Research has shown that the rate of cesarean section in the US is currently 1 out of every 3 pregnant women. These staggering statistics are due to a phenomenon that happens in the hospital known as the cascade of interventions. These interventions include induction, Pitocin, epidurals, continuous fetal monitoring, and instrumental assisted deliveries. These interventions increase risks for both mom and baby, sometimes leading to fetal distress, infection, cesarean section and respiratory distress in the newborn. Women delivering in hospitals also have an increased risk of having a traumatic birth experience and decreased satisfaction in their care experiences.

Emergent transfers are rare. In fact, most transports are due to maternal exhaustion or a request for pain relief. When emergencies do arise, they are handled quickly, efficiently and professionally. Your birth team is trained to recognize when a baby or mother are in danger, handle the most common emergencies and transfer care when appropriate. During prenatal care, you will have an opportunity to create a transport plan so that if a transport becomes necessary, we are prepared with a plan. In the case of both emergent and non-emergent transports, the midwife or midwife assistant will accompany you to the hospital.

Yes, we provide prenatal care for homebirth clients. Visits occur every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36 weeks and weekly until the baby is born. All prenatal visits are in-office, with the exception of the home visit in your 8th month of pregnancy. We schedule all visits for 60 minutes so you have plenty of time and never feel rushed.

When you first arrive, you will be asked to provide a urine sample so I can evaluate and assess for nourishment, hydration and screen for some of the most common pregnancy complications. The next portion of your prenatal visit will consist of focusing on your pregnancy, your questions, and your needs. This is the part of the appointment that allows us to get to know each other and build the trust that is so foundational to the midwife/client relationship. Finally, I will take your vitals, measure your fundal height and assess the baby's position before listening to your baby’s heartbeat! In addition to your prenatal care, you are given one prenatal massage with a talented massage therapist and access to childbirth education and lactation classes.

We come to you when you are in active labor! During your prenatal care, we will discuss what this looks like for you, but usually active labor looks like contractions that are 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long for 1 hour.

The birth team includes either (2) Midwives OR (1) Midwife and (1) qualified assistant. Depending on your needs and desires, you may also have a Doula on your birth team. We LOVE Doulas and strongly encourage everyone to consider adding a Doula to the support team for labor and birth.

The short answer is that it looks how you want it to look! During prenatal care, we will discuss your ideal birth, your preferences and expectations. Generally, when the team arrives someone will assess your vitals and listen to fetal heart tones to establish a baseline. We encourage you to listen to your body as you labor, as we monitor the baby's heartbeat intermittently, every 20-30 minutes. This is your birth and we encourage you to follow your natural instincts, though we are ready to offer hands-on care, gentle guidance, or suggestions, if needed. Every birth is so different! Once your baby is born, we watch closely as your baby is adjusting to life outside of the womb and monitor postpartum bleeding. Once the placenta is born and the cord stops pulsing, we ask if you are ready to cut the cord. If so, we help facilitate that process. We honor this very special time by giving you enough space to bond with your new family. But, we stay close enough to answer any questions and check on you and baby periodically.

When the baby is interested in nursing, we can help if you need guidance. Next, we perform a head-to-toe newborn assessment, prepare a good meal for you, and help you get an herbal bath or shower, if desired. Once we are all happy and satisfied with the health of mom and baby, we leave and come back in 1-2 days!

Sure! This is your birth. You call the shots, including who can come bear witness to this spectacular event. We suggest thinking about who you would like at the birth and hold off on inviting people until later in your pregnancy to ensure you are inviting people into your space who are truly supportive. Sharing these moments with loved ones can be incredibly special.

This is a very rare occurrence; however, when it happens, I will send another qualified midwife to manage your birth until I can arrive.

How many births do you take per month?

I take 3-5 births a month, but usually sticking to 4.

Radiant Joy offers robust postpartum care and support services. After the birth of the baby, we continue to be on call for you 24/7 for urgent needs. We do in-home visits 1-2 days and 1 week after your delivery. Between those visits, the midwife or lactation counselor will check in with you via phone to make sure nursing is going well and all of your questions are answered.

Postpartum in-office visits are offered at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months after your delivery. As a homebirth client, you are entitled to one 60-minute consultation with our lactation counselor, a postpartum massage, and unlimited access to Radiant Joy Community groups!

I do not accept insurance; however, I will provide you with an invoice that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Several Christian Health Sharing Programs do cover homebirth services.