How Does Care from an OB differ from a Direct-Entry Midwife?
To see another great site and their explanation, visit
Birth: Myth and Fact and Economics of Birth

 

Cost:

The average birth in a hospital for an UNCOMPLICATED vaginal birth $6000-$8000 and for a cesarean $10,000-12,000.
Our Midwifery services are $3300

 

Your prenatal experience:

Keep in mind, we believe obstetricians have their place in health care, but they are simply trained in an entirely different way with different philosophy, ethics, rules, and tools they may use.

With midwives, most women feel empowered and positive about their pregnancy because midwives view birth as a normal physiological process. We know all of the things that CAN go wrong, but there is a difference between what CAN and what DOES or WILL; we make sure that difference is known.

We provide the Midwives Model of Care which has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. Our visits are 0 to perhaps 15 minutes waiting time and 60 minutes of actually seeing us. We believe that this is the time that is needed to really get to know you as a person in a holistic manner. We spend this time educating you, counseling you, monitoring your physical, psychological, and social well-being. Our office is cozy and comfortable and has no ads for any products anywhere. When you come into the office you will see Jeni, never any other care provider you do not know. We can offer technological interventions but generally use herbs, homeopathics, essential oils, nutrition, etc. We refer for chiropractic care, acupuncture, and other natural healing methods if necessary. We are trained and able to identify problems that need Obstetrician or Perinatologist care.

 

Your Birth Experience:

Some BASIC things that happen to you during a typical hospital birth are:
Your mobility is quite limited, as is your ability to eat and drink which often lengthens your labor as well as making it more painful. The majority of women receive a drug to speed up their contractions (Pitocin or Syntocin) and are required to have an IV, which is often uncomfortable. There maybe a staff change during your birth and you would have different new people with you. Your obstetrician usually comes in only at the end of your labor to catch your baby. Often your baby is required to go to the nursery for 1-6 hours depending on the hospital, away from you. These are usually standard procedures for any hospital.
 

What to expect during a homebirth with us:
You call us when you are in labor. Together we determine if we will come to you then or a little later based on your needs. When we arrive, we come in very quietly, leave our shoes at the door, and do our best not to disturb the environment unless you need immediate assistance/direction. We will perform our initial examination in whatever position is comfortable for you. We make sure you are eating and drinking. We will check on you and the baby as often as needed and do our best not to disturb you, however, we will help you with positions, coping, and comfort (massage, aromatherapy, pressure points, etc.) when you desire or need it.
 
We as humans are far more likely to relax and deal with intense sensations if we feel safe, warm, supported, comfortable, and at ease. We do our best to do accomplish this. We often have you move around, walk, dance, change position, or get in water. When pushing, we help you find your rhythm. To help prevent tearing, we will work with you prenatally on perineal care and provide excellent perineal support during delivery. The majority of our women do not tear.
 
We encourage you and/or your partner to help catch your baby and place him/her on your chest after birth. We assist you in the delivery of your placenta and make sure you and your baby are healthy, happy, and adjusting well. We never take your baby away from you. Then, we make you a meal, do your laundry, and tuck you into clean sheets with your new family a couple of hours later.

 

What to expect after you have your baby:

In the hospital, whatever nurse is on staff will check in on you from time to time until you are discharged, usually by three days for a normal vaginal birth. You are then on your own. Unless you hire someone or have knowledgeable supportive friends, there is no one to help you with breastfeeding or to continue to help monitor your recovery. For your newborn's care you will need to take him/ her to the office and unfortunately not much education is given, often due to lack of time.
 
We believe it is important for you to plan on a quiet recovery period after giving birth. Therefore, our postpartum care consists of coming TO YOUR HOME the next day, the third day, at one week, and two weeks. For your last visit at six weeks you come to our office. There is no need to see a pediatrician during this time unless there is something wrong or you desire vaccinations and/or circumcision for your child. We help you with breastfeeding, transitioning to parenthood, and any problems you might be having.
 
Midwifery care is simply, completely different.