Being cared for by a midwife is a unique experience.  We spend a lot of time with our clients, ensuring that questions are answered, health is monitored and mutual trust is ensured by the time it’s time for the baby to be born!

We provide prenatal care starting when you decide to hire us. Often this is early in the pregnancy. We will meet every 4 weeks until 32 weeks, then twice monthly until 36 weeks and weekly until the baby is born.  We visit clients in your home as we value in-home care.  There’s nothing like establishing a relationship of trust within a client’s home alongside your family members, pets and familiar space.  And once we’ve been to the house a number of times, there’s no chance we’ll get lost in the middle of the night heading to your birth!

At 36 weeks we will schedule a home visit where the entire birth team will get together (second midwife, doula if hired, other family members and friends, if desired). We will be on call from 37 weeks until your birth or up to 43 weeks.

During the initial prenatal we gather historical information from you that may affect your pregnancy or birth. Ongoing prenatal care includes nutrition and exercise counseling, as well as regular assessment of the following: blood pressure, pulse, urine analysis, uterine growth, fetal heart rate, and fetal position.

We provide informed choice and information forms throughout your pregnancy to assist you in making informed decisions. You will receive information about ultrasound, blood sugar testing, Group B strep culturing and other subjects as your pregnancy advances. We also lend books and videos from our personal libraries to help you be informed. Appointments last an hour (at least) so there is plenty of time to talk about any questions you have.

Lab analysis of your blood to keep tabs on your health will also be part of your prenatal care. Initial blood work will look at things like your blood type, iron levels and whether you have been exposed to infectious hepatitis B, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea/Chlamydia. Other lab work that you might need and/or choose include testing for blood sugar, Group B Strep, thyroid levels and urine analysis.

Before the 36-week visit you will need to purchase some supplies. We will provide you with a list. The supplies cost around $40.

As part of the birth team a second midwife will also attend you. We bring the following equipment to the birth: stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, Doppler, instruments for cutting the cord, baby scale, herbs, suturing supplies, oxygen and resuscitation supplies, IV and fluids, medications and other odds and ends.

Occasionally an emergency arises or you decide that you want to transport to the hospital. This is often due to a long labor and the need for pain relief. We can transport you to the closest hospital (Tillamook Adventist, Columbia Memorial, or Providence Seaside) by private vehicle or by calling 911. If we transport by private vehicle, we will have equipment available for an emergency delivery. Either way, we will accompany you to the hospital and stay with you until your baby is born and the two of you are together and stable. (During the Covid pandemic, one additional care provider is allowed into the hospital along with a partner.  We make sure that one of us accompanies you and stays with you until your baby is born).

We will make 5 postpartum visits to you. We see you on the 1st day, 3rd day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4-6 weeks after your birth. We monitor the health of you and your baby, provide breastfeeding counseling as needed, answer questions and provide general support.