Midwifery Care

Imagine a different kind of care…

Midwifery care is about empowering my clients through education and support in informed choice. Visits are an hour long to provide time to get to know one another and offer education as well as time for questions and concerns you may be having. I also provide preconception counseling & well-person care. 

Prenatal Care

My prenatal care plan follows the same schedule you will find at most maternity care facilities. From approximately 8-12 weeks until 28 weeks gestation visits are every four weeks (lasting an hour); from 28-36 weeks gestation visits are every two weeks; and from 36-birth visits are weekly. Visits can be adjusted as needed for your care. Visits are done in your home or in my office. A routine visit includes: check-ins, time for questions, education topics for each visit, blood pressure check, lab work if needed, abdominal palpation & measurement, and listening to baby. Each visit is tailored to meet your individual needs. 

I also offer prenatal care for pregnant folks birthing in the hospital. This is called co-care. You will continue to see your regular provider, as well as receiving holistic, compassionate prenatal care within your own home. This also allows birthing folks who are higher risk to receive midwifery care. Although I cannot provide birth services to high-risk pregnancies, I can provide co-care. 

Labor & Birth

During labor & birth, phone support is offered until you feel ready for me to come to your home. Once I arrive at your home I will be by your side until the birth and after the birth until you and baby are stable and settled (typically 3-4 hours). You can eat and drink as you need to, you can move freely, and you can have the support people of your choosing with you. I will also be joined by a second midwife who will assist during the birth. After baby arrives vitals are monitored, newborn care and any other necessary care will be performed, monitoring of you and baby will continue for a few hours. Baby feeding and bonding is supported. You and your baby are not separated. You are fed and helped to the shower. The birthing space is cleaned and tidied up.

Water birth is a great option for many families and supplies for a water birth are available.

After your baby has arrived, I will perform a comprehensive newborn exam that can be sent to your baby's pediatrician to establish care. 

Postpartum Care

Postpartum care will be done on day 1, 3 or 5, and 2, 4, and 6 weeks with more as needed. During this time I will monitor baby's growth as well as feeding, your healing and overall well-being. 

Well Body Care

What if you annual exam was on your terms? What if it took place in the comfort and privacy of your own home, on your own schedule? I offer well body/ annual exam appointments in your own home. Nights and weekend appointments are available to get healthcare on YOUR schedule. A physical, Pap smear, basic lab work, nutritional counseling, preconception counseling, discussing birth control options and health goals are all offered as part of your appointment.

Water Birth

Water birth is a popular and wonderful option for those choosing to birth at home. All Saco River Midwifery clients have the option of renting a professional birth pool for their home birth or can choose to purchase their own birth pool for personal use.