Midwifery Services
Asher, Born at Home, Springfield, MA
Full Prenatal Care
All appointments are catered to your needs. The midwife sees you every month up until 28 weeks, every other week from 28-36 weeks of pregnancy, and once per week after the 36th week. We spend clinical time with measurements, listening to baby’s heart rate, assessing baby’s position, and checking your health status, including your vitals and lab results. We discuss solutions to whatever challenges - physical, emotional, situational - you are facing. We also set you up with collaborative hospital-based care for the obstetric tests or procedures that are needed.
Jaritza, 41 weeks pregnant, days before her homebirth
Labor and Birth Support
Your midwives are on-call day and night for when your body spontaneously goes into labor. We provide full support, first on the phone, then in person to help empower you as you do the work of natural labor. We massage, give hip squeezes, help you get in and out of the tub, and keep you hydrated and nourished. After your baby is born, we monitor you and your baby’s well-being and give your baby a full newborn exam. We ensure that you and baby are stable and well before we leave.
Sheila, working through labor positions, Springfield, MA
Postpartum Visits and Support
Personalized postpartum care is one of the hallmark features of homebirth midwifery. Every family needs something a little different and we are there to provide that. Siblings and family members are always welcome for the check-ins. You don’t need to leave the comfort of your own home. In-home postpartum visits are at 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days after the birth. Additional appointments at 3 weeks and 6 weeks usually happen in our office. The visits include newborn and well-woman care, breastfeeding support, emotional assessment, and immediate response to any signs of postpartum depression.
Little baby Ryan, born at home, Springfield, MA
Waterbirth
Getting in the tub during active labor can relax bodily muscles in order to manage the intensity of contractions. To be clear: water doesn’t take away the strong sensation of labor but can take away the edge. Sometimes clients prefer to be on a bed, or on a birthing stool, or on hands and knees. Truthfully, you don’t know what you want until you are in labor! And that’s the great thing about homebirth and natural birth generally: it gives you the freedom to move around and try different positions. If you feel drawn to water therapy, we have birth tubs available.
Danielle, waterbirth, Springfield, MA
Natural Childbirth Education Classes
Whether or not you want a homebirth, classes to prepare for natural birth in any setting are critical to obtain the knowledge and tools to navigate this amazing and intense experience. Classes also give clients the opportunity to connect with others who are approaching their birth in a similar way. Partners, a beloved family member or any support person are encouraged to come to learn too. Contact us for upcoming classes!