The birth of a child is a very important event that will affect a woman and/or couple’s life 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 an informed, safe decision.

* 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 move around without restrictions. You are in control of the situation.

* The normal process of birth is 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 through 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).

Some of the equipment we bring includes:

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

* Blood presssure 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: resuscitation equipment, IV fluids, pharmaceutical medicines (antihemorrhagic drugs to stop excessive bleeding postpartum.

The majority of my clients choose to birth in the water, though some just use their birth pools throughout labor. I offer birth pools for clients use as part of my package or can make recommendations to find the ideal set up for you.

How do I cope with the pain of birth without an epidural? 

Education, midwifery care, and a support team are all important pieces to prepare for natural birth.

While at home you do not have the option of an epidural however, many women find that birth in their own home is less painful than in a hospital. Midwives use water, massage, acupressure, and other therapies to guide you in relaxing and opening. You will also have a supportive birth team that may include your partner, a friend, a family member or doula that would provide comfort during labor. Also, take into consideration that freedom of movement  and rest helps you to work with your body and make the contractions more manageable.

We are not an in network provider with any insurance. However we do have an insurance biller who can help you get reimbursed if you have a PPO insurance plan!

Jessie Rockwell and Sarah Waldron share a call schedule where either Jessie or Sarah will be present at your primary Midwife during your labor and birth. During your prenatal visits you have the opportunity to build a relationship with both Midwives. We will discuss the call schedule during you initial consult and you will of course be provided with the call schedule throughout your pregnancy. An additional Midwifery assistant (student midwife or CPM) will attend your birth as well for an added layer of support and safety.

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 doctor for your needs and continue to support you in your pregnancy and birth as you desire.

Prenatal visits are to assess your and your baby’s emotional and physical well-being as well as developing a foundation of trust and connection. The basics of the visit includes blood pressure monitoring, nutrition assessment, fetal growth assessment, fetal heart rate monitoring and fetal position assessment. Additionally, your midwife will review all of your options for routine prenatal screening and testing, including ultrasounds. Another important aspect of the prenatal visit is the discussion of concerns or questions that you may have. Education is the mainstream of optimal prenatal care.