Services

We meet for visits in the comfort of your own home. Home visits allow us to become familiar with the surroundings where you will give birth to your baby. our appointments are about an hour long, so you will have ample opportunity to ask questions and discuss your feelings and desires surrounding the pregnancy and birth. your family members are always welcome at prenatal visits… siblings love to help us listen to the baby’s heartbeat!

Your prenatal visits will be every four weeks during the early part of your pregnancy. At 28 weeks, your visits will be every two weeks, and from 36 weeks gestation on, we will see you weekly until your baby is born.

Expect your first prenatal visit to be the longest. Your midwife will do a complete history-taking and physical examination, including a pelvic exam, risk assessment, appropriate lab testing, and pregnancy education. If you are between 9 and 12 weeks, we can try to listen to the baby’s heartbeat.

Each prenatal visit we check general health (weight, blood pressure, urine dipstick for glucose and protein), as well as baby development (fundal height measurement, baby heartbeat), and of course, the well-being of the parents with the guidance given appropriately to your stage of pregnancy. Labs will be done at the initial visit, 28 weeks, and 36 weeks.

LAB WORK AND TESTS

Lab samples are drawn in your home. Sometimes, you may be asked to go to your local lab for draws. Standard prenatal tests are performed. Ultrasounds are available by referral and are typically done at 20 weeks gestational age unless there is a medical need for additional ultrasounds.

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASSES

Childbirth Education Classes should be attended in the last trimester of pregnancy. Ask your midwife if you are interested in CBE classes. An online Childbirth Education Class is available to you that focuses on out-of-hospital birth. The class will review the phases and stages of labor, comfort measures, labor and birth, and early postpartum. You may attend classes outside of Lake City Birth including Lamaze, Bradley (recommended), or Hypnobirthing (recommended) classes.

LABOR AND BIRTH

Your midwife will be available to you completely during the labor and birth process. As your labor begins, you and your midwife will decide when you are ready for her to arrive.

During labor, your midwife will be sensitive to your needs: perhaps you need quieter and more privacy, or maybe some words of encouragement and a back massage. Along with providing comfort and attending to your needs, your midwife will ensure you and your baby are doing well throughout the process.

Waterbirth is a great option for laboring and birthing mothers. Your baby will be welcomed gently into the world, surrounded by the people you have chosen to be with you on this special day.

THE FIRST HOURS

After your baby is born, your midwife will stay with you for at least 2 hours, but usually between 3 and 5 hours. The first hour is a special time for bonding with your family, as well as the beginning of the breastfeeding relationship.

Following this, the midwife will perform a complete newborn examination, including weight and length. Your baby will be right next to you during this exam, so any questions you may have can be answered immediately.

After making sure that you and your baby are settled down comfortably, breastfeeding is off to a good start, and the house is clean and tidy, your midwife will leave your family to bask in the joy of a new life… and take a well-deserved nap!

THE FIRST FEW DAYS AND WEEKS

You and your family will be encouraged to “nest” in the first few days. This is a time for the new family to connect with the newborn, establish breastfeeding, and recover from the physical exertion of birth. Your midwife will contact you in the first 24 hours, and make a home visit at 48 hours. A lactation consultant is also available to you in the first few days to establish a lasting breastfeeding relationship.

Your body will take about 6 weeks to return to its non-pregnant state. During this time, your midwife will keep in contact with you for breastfeeding support and any questions you may have. Your midwife will visit you at 2 weeks postpartum, and at 6 weeks, you will have your final visit.