What is a midwife?
What area do you serve?
What is your training as a midwife? Is home birth legal?
What equipment do you bring to my home?
What about all the tests, labs and ultrasounds?
I have insurance, can I use it to pay for my home birth?
I had a Cesarean Section before, can I have a home birth?
What about complications?
Why water birth? Is it even safe?
What if there is a problem with my baby?
Who can attend my birth?
What about my other children?
My home is small. Will there be room for me to birth?
I’m afraid of the pain of labor. Can you help me with that?
What is a midwife?
Midwife has many different meanings in several languages across the globe, because midwifery is one of the oldest health care professions. The word midwife translates to “with woman,” and this concept is at the heart of modern midwifery care. I am with you and your family on your journey to bring forth this new life. All the health care aspects of being a midwife are provided, including prenatal care, lab work, understanding diagnostic results, suturing, and newborn care. But the essence of midwifery is continuity of care, and comprehensive nurturing that is tailored to you during this special time.
What area do you serve?
I serve of Mendocino County. I pride myself in serving this big beautiful county in California. From Hopland, Ukiah and Redwood Valley-to Potter Valley. I will occasionally travel to Lake County or Cloverdale. I specialize in rural birth from Willits to Covelo, from Laytonville to Garberville, Iron Mountain, Bell Springs, McNab Ranch to Fort Bragg and Anderson Valley.
What is your training as a midwife? Is home birth legal?
Absolutely! Home birth with a licensed midwife is legal in California State. Midwives are licensed and regulated by the Medical Board of California, just as nurses, OBs, acupuncturists and chiropractors are. The licensing process in California is rigorous and one of the most stringent in the nation. A series of didactic learning, clinical training, including birth attendance and an apprenticeship, and exams must be completed before receiving your license. My license, continuing education units, neonatal resuscitation and First Aid/CPR certifications are always current.
What equipment do you bring to my home?
We midwives have a saying, ‘we bring the nuts & bolts of the hospital to you!” I carry all the necessary tools necessary to provide comprehensive and safe care to you and your baby including:
- Two tanks of oxygen
- Resuscitation equipment
- Standard anti-hemorrhagic medicines used in the hospital
- Suturing equipment, including lidocaine
- IV supplies including antibiotics if needed
- Vitamin K and antibiotic newborn eye drops if needed
- Baby scale, birth certificate items and many, many other tricks and tools of my trade
What about all the tests, labs and ultrasounds?
All routine tests and labs will be offered in a comprehensive informed consent process. This is a cornerstone of my care. An ‘opt-out’ option is available. We will spend quality time making sure you understand the tests and options available to you. All your questions will be answered thoroughly. Once you have made your choice, your signature will be required to agree or disagree. It’s your body, your baby, your choice!
I have insurance; can I use that to pay for my home birth?
Yes! Many insurance companies now reimburse directly to the client for home birth. The medical billing company I work with specializes in out-of-hospital birth. MediCal legislation as of 2016 is in the beginning phase of reimbursing Licensed Midwives. For now, I can only bill MediCal for Lab and Ultrasound. Hopefully this will change very soon.
I had a Cesarean Section before, can I have a home birth?
Absolutely! There is a lot of information on the International Cesarean Awareness Network. Recently the American College of Gynecology has stated that for a normal, healthy woman VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) is a safe option. Evidence based statistics clearly show that for low-risk women, VBAC is safe and through informed consent of risks and benefits women often will choose to have a natural vaginal birth-and be successful! Licensed Midwives have wonderful outcomes for VBACs because we encourage women to follow their instinctual process of birthing their babies. This removes many obstacles that lead to C-sections in the hospital.
What about complications?
Midwives are trained to respond quickly and appropriately to various emergency situations and complications that may arise during pregnancy, birth or postpartum. I have an outstanding relationship with a few well trusted and reliable, home birth friendly OBs and also the hospital staff. Due to my professional nature and positive outcomes, my clients and I enjoy knowing that if anything comes up during your care we will be well received and treated respectfully if the need arises to have more medical intervention. I will never leave you unattended, even if we transport for the safe outcome we all desire for mom and/or baby. Watching you and baby closely for anything that goes beyond the wide area of normal continuity of care, and two decades of being with women in birth have taught me when to transport before an emergency arises. Calling ahead of time and transporting when everyone is still calm and safe, makes for the best outcome.
Why water birth? Is it even safe?
Yes, water birth is safe for low-risk, normal labor. Many studies have been conducted to show that when babies are born into water, from water into water, they are calm and do not have the reflex to breath until they are brought air side and laid upon mom’s chest-skin to skin. Keeping baby warm with a blanket and the body submerged in the warm water makes for a peaceful transition. Water has many benefits for mom.
What if there is a problem with my baby?
Having raised five children and attended hundreds of births, I have learned that it is quickly apparent if baby is not responding to transition from womb to earth side. I remain calm, with a close distance that allows for bonding but also for me to see everything. I watch diligently for positive signs of transition and step in quickly if baby needs me. Statistically, when birth is unmedicated and bonding is not disrupted, only 10% of babies need any type of attention, like stimulation or other gentle encouragement. Only 1-2% of babies will need an intervention. Not only am I ready and able but usually there are signs before birth that become evident baby may need help and we have already taken the necessary steps for a safe outcome. A full newborn exam will be done and if any concerns arise we talk about those concerns and our options.
Who can attend my birth?
Anyone you desire. I would like to meet them before hand and answer any questions they may have to ensure everyone is on board with your positive birth experience.
What about my other children?
Children are more than welcome at the birth. They are often very empathetic towards mama and want to help by getting water, rubbing backs, giving thumbs up to mom! I find it is quite helpful for many mamas to see their little one, it reminds them they have done this before and they can do it again. It is helpful to have someone just for the little ones, a children’s doula, to answer questions and attend to all those other needs kids may have while waiting for the newest member of the family to arrive.
My home is small. Will there be room for me to birth?
I have attended births in apartments, trailers, campers, tee pees, studios-you name it, I’ve probably seen a baby born there. I have two birth tub sizes to choose from. Warmth, comfort and positive, welcoming people are all that a baby needs to come earth side.
I’m afraid of the pain in labor. Can you help me with that?
Giving birth is quite appropriately called ‘labor’ because it is hard work! There are many different coping mechanisms that you can learn for pain relief. We will discuss these as often as you desire during your prenatal care. Remember, this is a labor of love and the hard work will bring you a wonderful little bundle! Staying relaxed is the best pain medication; tense muscles are more painful. I will help you with this, so will all your other studies, techniques and labor support. Remember, your body is made to do this; it can birth your baby as all the women before you have.