What Does a Homebirth With Birthing Way Include?

Before making your decision you are invited to ask questions over the phone and to attend a free personal consultation. I will be happy to answer any questions you have and will help you find the care that is right for you, whether with me or someone else.

Should we decide to work together your first visit will be about two hours. We will discuss your medical history, birth history and current pregnancy in depth. You will receive a binder with information about working with me, prenatal testing, maintaining a healthy pregnancy, caring for a newborn, getting a birth certificate, labor and birth and more. You may also use the binder for personal notes or journaling. I also include two books; Birthing From Within and one on breastfeeding, as well as samples of many products for you and your baby.

I have a yahoo group for all my clients, past and present, to get you all together to talk about your pregnancies and births. I have bonfires 2 times a year at my farm where everyone is invited. Hopefully you can meet with your email friends and fellow homebirthers then.

If you are interested, I offer a Giving Way Ceremony as my gift to you in honor of your pregnancy. This special blessing ceremony gives your family and friends an opportunity to honor you for the miracle you are as a pregnant woman and divine being. I encourage you to accept this gift.

You will be asked to provide at least one diet diary and to take good quality prenatal supplements. Included in your binder is information on purchasing your birth kit and a list of other supplies you will need to gather. You may borrow any books or videos from my library that interest you.

Subsequent prenatal visits will be an hour long so that we can have time to get to know each other well. I feel the most important aspect of prenatal care is building a bond between mother and midwife. Birth is such an intimate process that every woman deserves a friend to attend her rather than a series of strangers. At your visit we will also do routine health checks and listen to your baby. Prenatal visits are monthly in the beginning and increase in frequency to weekly visits in the last month.

When you are 36 weeks pregnant we will have the prenatal visit in your home so that we can practice getting to your house. I will also be checking to see that you have gathered all the necessary items for your birth. This is a good time to invite everyone that will be attending the birth. It gives us all a chance to meet, if we haven't already, and creates a forum for you to be clear and specific about what you want everyone's role to be. If you have decided to have a Giving Way Celebration the day of the home visit is a good time to do it.

There is less to say about the birth because the mother sets the stage for her birth. You can have your baby anyway you like as long as it is safe for you and your baby. Your husband can 'catch' the baby or you can yourself. You can have a waterbirth, your other children can be with you--whatever you want. I will answer specific questions about births at a consultation.

I bring flowers to the birth for a celebration bath (see the photos) with healing herbs, candles and essential oils. There is no real reason for the bath, but most moms want to do it for the lovely pictures. I stay with the family for at least 3 hours after the birth to make sure everyone is recovering well. I leave you with instructions and answers to the most commonly asked questions.

I return the next day for the first post partum visit. I call (or come if needed) at three days, come again for a one week checkup, and call or come out again at two weeks. Finally, you and your sweet baby will come to see me at 4-6 weeks for our final visit. I will give you a copy of your records that you can place in your binder to complete your birth book. The records are in color with lots of art and poetry to make a nice keepsake. I try to record the first words you say to the baby and other special moments you may have forgotten.

When your baby is born I will put the picture on the web site if you like. I invite you to share your birth story, birth pictures, baby pictures and testimonials with me to use on the site (or to keep private if you wish).

I hope this is helpful. If you are interested please call to set a time to meet and discuss it further.

How Much Does it Cost?

The fee is $2300.00 for everything except your birth kit and supplements. The fee can be paid in payments during your pregnancy. Rather than repeat it all here you can read the details in the Financial Contract