How is your midwifery care/experience different in homebirth?

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The experience of home birth midwifery is different from the hospital model from your first prenatal visit through your final 6-week postpartum visit.  This might be a helpful place to begin, because reading about home birth care may feel "right" to you right away!

Clients come to appointments at my home office in Barre as soon as they know they are pregnant.  Prenatal visits are approximately one hour long, and are guided by both my standard for excellent prenatal care, as well as your personal, emotional, energetic experiences of pregnancy.  The ongoing conversation we have about your pregnancy and birth is a hallmark of home birth midwifery care; the relationship we establish and build with each other sets the stage for an honest, healthy birth experience.

At the time of labor and birth, a home birth client's care is mother-directed with support, observation, and facilitation by a single professional who is completely informed about the logistical, physical, emotional, spiritual hopes and challenges for your labor.  Both the mother and infant's health are monitored, with commitment to the highest level of well-being for both baby and mom while honoring the wishes for a peaceful and gentle birth experience.

access to your midwife by phone is available 24 hours a day throughout your pregnancy and postpartum.  By maintaining an open and responsive communication, together we ensure that your pregnancy is as healthy and positive as possible.  Many women express their desire to experience "normal birth."  Pregnancy and birthing as your body knows how can be best supported when a pregnant couple knows they have a provider with exceptional listening ability, excellent professional knowledge and experience, and is available to share these capabilities at the time     they are needed--even at two o'clock in the morning.

Home birth is paid for somewhat differently than a hospital birth.  We do accept most insurances, although some insurance companies do not accept paying for home birth! We can do a benefits verification for you to find out your coverage. Some clients pay for their birth from their savings. 
Each birth is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Most people budget and plan for things they really want, because it is worth it to them. Birthing a child the way you want to is as important as the special things we expect to pay out of pocket for, like weddings and vacations. 
WHAT IS A CPM?

A Certified Professional Midwife is a knowledgeable, skilled, and professional independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM), and is qualified to provide the midwifery model of care.  The CPM in the only international credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital settings.

IS BIRTHING AT HOME WITH A MIDWIFE A SAFE OPTION?

According to the study published in the British Medical Journal in June 2005, planned home births for low risk women in the United States are associated with similar safety and less medical intervention as low risk hospital births.  According to the study, if you choose home birth with a Certified Professional Midwife, the intervention rates would be a tenth to a half of what they would be in hospital, compared to figures of the same time period from the National Health Institute of the U.S.

"Every study that has compared midwives and obstetricians has found better outcomes for midwives for same-risk patients.  In some studies, midwives actually served higher risk populations than the physicians and still obtained lower mortalities and morbidities.  The superiority and safety of midwifery for most women no longer needs to be proven.  It has been well established."
--The Future of Midwifery in the United States, Madrona, Lewis & Morgaine, NAPSAC News, Fall-Winter, 1993, p.30

"Every study published shows midwives to be safer than doctors.  Every study.  No exceptions.  If your physician disagrees with this, challenge him or her to produce the data that supports otherwise.  They won't be able to do it.  Such data does not and never did exist.  In a nutshell, that is the strength of the case for midwifery.  It is unanimous.  Over and over again, throughout history, the data shows that when doctors displace midwives, outcomes get worse."
--The Five Standards of Safe Childbearing, David Stewart, PhD (Editor), Marble Hill, MO: NAPSAC Reproductions, 1982, 1997
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WHAT DO YOU BRING TO BIRTHS?

I bring the following (and more) equipment to all births:
  • general support items such as: birth stool, rebozo, my massaging hands and other helpful labor support tools, depending on prenatal discussions
  • herbs and homeopathic remedies, fetoscope and doppler
  • blood pressure cuff + stethoscope 
  • baby scale
  • sterile instruments
  • IV equipment
  • oxygen and resuscitation equipment
  • anti-hemorrhagic drugs 
  • suturing equipment and anesthetic for perineal repairs
Other supplies for the birth (such as swaddling blankets, towels, heating pads, etc.) are discussed at prenatal appointments and gathered by the home birth family.


What if there are complications during birth?

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While there is a wide range of situations one can encounter during labor or birth, i strive to be as non-interventive as possible.  Much of the time when an issue arises, there are warning signs that occur before hand.  Midwives are extensively trained in recognizing these warning signs that indicate labor has gone outside of what is normal.  These warning signs allow plenty of time for good decision-making and non-urgent transport to the hospital in your own car. Although emergencies are rare, we are always prepared to transport if needed.  Together we create a transport plan prenatally so we know who we will contact and under what circumstances.  There is a small percentage of emergencies that require a call to 911 and urgent transport to the hospital.

If I transport a woman to the hospital I stay by her side helping her and her partner with decisions, support, encouragement, and continuity of care until her baby if safely delivered and both mother and baby are stable.  Postpartum appointments then continue as normal as well as breastfeeding and parenting support.