Our Philosophy of Care
It is always an honor and great joy to serve growing families through their unique pregnancy, birth and parenting journey. Our philosophy of care is rooted in the knowledge and understanding that pregnancy, birth and postpartum are normal life events. We believe in the natural God-given ability of women to give birth. During our care, we form trusting relationships with our clients who are active participants in their care and who find empowerment through this experience. We merge ancient wisdom of the oldest profession with evidence-based practices of modern medicine. This allows us to identify any deviations from normal and intervene as appropriate. We support an experience that encourages the natural physiologic birth process that is innate to our design, while caring for the well-being of mother and baby.
In the interest of providing you with a midwife you know during your labor and birth, this practice limits the number of clients in care per month in order to provide you with the best and most attentive care possible.
The Beginning
Prenatal Care
The Beginning
Hands On Care
In-office Visits
Hour long prenatal appointments are scheduled:
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Monthly up to 28 weeks
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Bi-weekly until 36 weeks
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Weekly from 36 weeks until baby arrives
What to expect at your appointment:
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Assessing your vital signs
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Making sure your baby is growing and checking heart tones
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Informed choice discussions regarding testing, screening, and decisions about your care
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Nutritional guidance and suggestions for managing common symptoms of pregnancy including safe, natural alternatives
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Continuous assessment that your pregnancy remains low-risk and that home birth is still appropriate
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Appropriate labs and testing throughout pregnancy
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Discussing any questions, concerns, or requests you many have
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Referrals to other providers and community resources as needed
We Come to You
Home Visits
Around 35-36 weeks, we visit your home to:
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Make sure you have ordered and received your birthing supplies
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Confirm your birth plan and expectations
We Come to You
Throughout
Informed Consent
You should be given the information and education you need to make informed decisions regarding your care, its also expected that you will do research on these topics. We offer our expertise to help guide you with straightforward, matter-of-fact advice so that you are able to make an educated and rational decision as to what is best for you and your family. Heart to Heart Midwifery offers:
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In-office lab work with optional genetic testing — the same labs you would be offered in a hospital setting
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Referrals for ultrasound, if desired or recommended
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Preventive care for complications in pregnancy
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Access to our lending library
At 37 weeks
Labor and Birth
We are available 24/7 for questions or concerns as your birth approaches. Once labor has begun, we will be in close communication. In active labor we bring all the equipment for you to labor safely at home and follow your cues to offer the assistance you need as your labor progresses. Some women prefer to labor with the support of their partner, and so we give space for that to happen. We routinely check mom’s vital signs, emotional state, and physical stamina, as well as baby’s heart rate, making sure both are tolerating the labor well. In the event that medical intervention is required, we prepare you by talking through the situation and all of the options that are available.
At 37 weeks
Your little has arrived!
After the Birth
We do all immediate postpartum care for mama and newborn care for baby; then we tidy up after the delivery. We stay until you and your baby are well-adjusted to each other, nursing is established, and all necessary newborn assessments are complete (usually 2-4 hours). We even take care of little tasks like starting the laundry and settling you and your family in.
Services included:
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Mother well-being assessment
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Laceration repair if needed
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Postpartum care and instructions
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Comprehensive newborn exam and assessment, including optional vitamin K and eye ointment (if desired)
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Breastfeeding education and support
Now What?
Newborn and Postpartum
Following your birth, we check in to make sure your little one’s arrival into your family has been smooth and that you are equipped to handle issues that may arise. We follow up with baby’s growth and check that breastfeeding is going well. We see that you have the postpartum support you need and access to us if you have questions for up to six weeks.
Services include:
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Phone call check in within 24 hours
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Home visits within 24-48 hours
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1 week visit may be at home or in-office
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In-office visits at 2, 4, and 6 weeks
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Tracking baby’s weight gain and growth
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Monitoring your postpartum recovery (both physically and emotionally)
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Breastfeeding support and assistance
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Well-woman visit at 6 weeks with optional pap smear, if necessary
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Newborn Metabolic Screening
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Critical Congenital Heart Defect Screening
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Hearing Screening
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File for birth certificate and social security card
Now What?
