Prenatal appointments take place every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, biweekly until 36 weeks and then weekly until your baby is born. We have a home visit around 36 weeks with the entire support team present to go over how you envision your birth happening and where in your home. Furthermore, we discuss the logistics of a water birth if you desire to have one.

During the prenatal period we monitor the health of the baby and pregnancy though routine vitals, measurements, fetal heart tone checks, lab work, ultrasound, and discussions as a team. Your experience and input is invaluable to our ongoing assessment of your wellbeing.

Your birth will be attended by Holly Rusch, CPM and an accompanying certified professional midwife or assistant. We come prepared with equipment, medications, and supplies to care for you and baby. Midwives are trained to expect that birth will unfold normally, but to monitor and be hands on if needed.

During birth you will change positions and locations as you desire. Many clients choose to labor and birth in a birth tub. You should welcome however many or few support people as you would like. All in all, you run the show, and we will help create the experience you desire while maintaining safety.

After the baby is born and everyone is stable, we will tuck you in, make sure you’re fed, and give instructions on postpartum recovery and care. Usually your team departs a few hours after birth and return for a postpartum visit the next day. At this point, we will conduct newborn testing such as the CCHD, newborn metabolic screen and hearing screening as desired.

The first few weeks after you give birth are an important time for healing, bonding, establishing a feeding relationship, and adjusting to your new normal. Being able to stay home for postpartum appointments is so beneficial during this tender time.

Postpartum visits are scheduled for one day and one week in your home and two weeks and six weeks in the office. We are available by phone between these scheduled appointments should you have any questions or concerns and can make additional home visits if needed.