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- What is a Midwife? What kind of Midwife is Emma?
In the United States, there are several pathways to midwifery education and training. Most pathways result in midwifery certification and qualify the candidate for licensing in their state or municipality. For more info on different kinds of midwives visit: NARM
Emma is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM): A Certified Professional Midwife is a knowledgeable, skilled and professional independent midwife 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 is the only midwifery credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of- hospital settings.
- How do I know if my home is suitable for a homebirth?
Down the street in your neighborhood at any given time a birth could be unfolding. Sometimes when we slip out of a home in the early morning hours, leaving a new baby behind we are reminded of what birth could be here in America. Most homes are suitable for homebirth, even small apartments. Your neighbors will likely not know you've had a baby until you tell them. If you have any specific concerns please feel free to ask us, we also do a home visit at 36 weeks to become familiar with your space and make recommendations for birth.
- How do I know if I'm a good candidate for homebirth?
If you are a normal, healthy woman with a low-risk pregnancy; if you want to be engaged in all aspects of your pregnancy care & ultimately make the decisions that are informed and right for you, then you are a good candidate for a homebirth!
Prenatal care is what you give yourself! Your midwives are there to support you with information and resources, but it's up to you nourish yourself, research each decision, and find the path that’s right for you. This is your body, your birth, your baby.
- What do you think about waterbirth?
We love waterbirth! Warm water in labor can make an amazing difference for many women, and there’s some evidence that water can make a smoother transition for baby. We offer waterbirth tub rentals for a nominal cost. Another option is to purchase a personal birth tub, and we’re happy to refer you to websites for that. Our birth tubs come equipped with a disposable liner, compressor and pump for draining the water.
- What equipment do you bring with you to a birth?
We bring a doppler for monitoring the fetal heartbeat during labor, equipment for monitoring maternal vitals, herbs, and various other supplies and equipment. We also carry oxygen and resuscitation equipment, emergency medications to stop bleeding, IV supplies, and suturing equipment with local anesthetic.
- How often will I see you?
We typically start seeing our clients at our office at week 12, and will see you every four weeks until 28 weeks, every two weeks until 36 weeks when we will have a home visit at your home, and then weekly at the office until you have your baby.
After your birth we return to your house at least 2-3 times and then you come see us in our office for your six week visit.
We remain on call for visits at your home for 2 weeks after your birth, and encourage you to call or text without hesitation with any concern - that’s what we are here for!
- What tests are required if I have my care through Grace Midwifery?
Homebirth midwifery care is a shared responsibility between you and your midwife. Though we are able to provide you and your baby with all the screenings and tests that are standard of care we do not require them. On the flip side, having a natural, healthy homebirth does not preclude you from accessing any testing or screening you desire. We work closely with you so that if a situation arises where further testing would be useful we can advise you.
- What is informed choice?
As a family choosing homebirth and midwifery care, you will need to make a number of choices and decisions during your pregnancy, labor and birth, as well as for your baby. We want to equip you with the information you need to make informed choices. We believe that making informed choices involves weighing the benefits and risks of any decision or course of action while taking into account your intuition, personal experience, individual circumstances, advice and opinions of trusted sources, and evidence-based practice.
- How much does it cost?
We encourage you to make consultation visit that will tailor the cost to you and your situation.
- What if there's an emergency, or I need a transfer to the hospital?
The general consensus is that midwives are experts in normal pregnancy and birth. In order to be a good candidate for a homebirth, you must have an uncomplicated pregnancy and be in good overall health. We believe that prenatal care is what you give yourself; we are with you throughout your pregnancy to provide support and guidance; we work as a team to keep you in optimal health. If, despite our best efforts, complications do arise, and the balance needed for a healthy homebirth cannot be restored, an individualized transfer of care plan is in place.
If, for health reasons, we need to transfer you out of our care during your pregnancy, we will be available to provide support through the remainder of your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
If a transfer of care is needed during labor, we will make the necessary arrangements and accompany our clients to the hospital where we will remain as labor support for the birth & immediate postpartum period.
Most people have a question or two not covered here. Feel free to contact us with any questions, comments, or concerns not addressed.
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