Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum care.
Consultation
It’s vital to find the right midwife for you and your family’s needs. This is why we offer a free consultation to those interested in learning more about me and what it’s like to birth at home.
We’ll have time to get to know each other better and we can answer the questions and concerns you might have specific to your unique situation.
Prenatal Care
We strive to provide comprehensive, individualized holistic midwifery care and education in the comfort of your own home. Imagine prenatal care without wait times, and no nurses/techs coming in and out of the room.
Community standard of care includes:
-
Blood pressure, baby's heart beat, urine check, measuring your growing belly & lab tests.
-
Nutrition, lifestyle and exercise advice for a healthy pregnancy.
-
Visits influenced by your individual needs and gestational age.
-
Visits Monthly until 28 weeks, then every other week until 36 weeks, then weekly until you give birth.
-
Siblings and family members welcomed.
-
Online patient portal so that you can access results and be engaged in your care.
-
On-call availability of and direct access to your midwife 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year
Laboratory Work & Ultrasounds
We offer all standard of care prenatal tests. Ultrasounds are either performed at home or at an outpatient radiology center.
-
Complete blood count (CBC): Evaluates the cells that circulate in your blood, like iron and platelets.
-
Blood type and Rh factor: Determines your blood type and Rh factor (negative or positive)
-
Antibody screen: Tests for antibodies that attack red blood cells
-
Rubella Antibody titer: Screens for German Measles
-
Urinalysis: Evaluates components of the urine
-
Pap smear: Screens for cervical cancer
-
Genetic screening: Screens for fetal chromosomal abnormalities and neural tube defects
-
Carrier screening: Screens for maternal chromosomal abnormalities
-
HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B&C screening: Standard sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening
-
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia cultures: Screens for gonorrhea and chlamydia
-
Urine Culture: Screens for bacteria in the urine
-
Glucose screening: screening for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
-
Thyroid and hormone testing: Screens the thyroid hormones, as well as additional hormones, if necessary.
-
Vitamin D: Evaluates Vitamin D levels
-
Group beta streptococcus culture: Screens for presence of vaginal/rectal GBS
with referral available, as necessary.
Homebirth
Highlights:
-
Intermittent fetal monitoring
-
Hydrotherapy
-
Mobility in labor with freedom to nourish and hydrate.
-
Physiological, "mother-led" pushing
-
Delayed cord clamping
-
Immediate skin-to-skin
-
Respect for the "Golden Hour".
We will provide continuous care and support during labor and birth. Giving birth at home allows you to labor in a familiar and safe surrounding. You have total control in temperature, lighting, sound, the ability to eat/drink as desired, and who is present for the birth of your baby.
Use of pillows, birth stool and rebozo are some pain relieving techniques that we use, that also help to shorten labor time and achieve optimal fetal position in the pelvis. During labor, I will be conscious of your unique needs, whether it be privacy or gentle encouragement. I offer low intervention, "tincture of time" style of management. We will bring and set up a birth tub, if desired. Hydrotherapy during labor provides relief, encourages relaxation and is a safe non-pharmacologic pain reliever. We are able to follow evidence based guidelines for labor and delivery in the tub. We perform vital sign checks and auscultate fetal heart tones in the water, minimizing interruptions during labor and birth.
All the necessary supplies will be set up for the delivery of your baby - including oxygen and medications - as well as equipment to monitor your vital signs and baby's heartbeat. We will create an emergency plan of care together at 37 weeks of your pregnancy. Your birth team will provide continuous labor support until delivery, even if a transfer is necessary and birth occurs in the hospital.
*Click here to explore what your Midwife will bring to the birth.
After birth, we will provide support for the first few hours after the baby is born. The first hour is known as the "Golden Hour". We will protect and support this sacred transition for both you and baby. After the first hour, we will repair up to a second degree laceration, do the newborn exam, make sure you have eaten a protein rich meal, ensure you are able to walk and empty your bladder and then tuck you into bed for some much deserved rest.
Postpartum Support
Postpartum is a time of major changes such as physical healing, learning to breastfeed, bonding with your baby, hormonal changes and dealing with new responsibilities. New and seasoned moms alike benefit from extra care and strong support during the Fourth Trimester. Support is provided for the woman's physical recovery from birth, offer lactation support, and of course provide plenty of education.
All families receive 3 postpartum visits:
-
24-48 hours after birth
-
At 2 weeks
-
At 6 weeks
At the final checkup, you will be offered a physical exam, standard of care labs and a pap smear, if necessary.
Newborn care
Your baby's birth certificate information will be submitted and instructions will be provided on how to obtain the birth certificate. The Newborn Metabolic Screening and Congenital Heart Defect Screening are offered at the first postpartum visit.
We will perform weight checks at every postpartum visit, ensuring adequate weight gain and timely referrals, as necessary.
Resource: https://floridanewbornscreening.com/
Lactation Support
Full Circle supports a wide range of newborn feeding choices.
My support for lactation is non-discriminative and includes:
-
Breastfeeding
-
Chestfeeding
-
Pumping and bottle-feeding
We will provide you with the appropriate referrals to a lactation consultant, if necessary.
Lactation Resources:
Placenta Encapsulation
Placenta encapsulation is a practice of ingesting the placenta after it has been dehydrated, ground, and placed into pills. This is commonly practiced in traditional Chinese medicine. Anecdotal benefits include:
-
Increased milk supply
-
Decreased risk of postpartum depression
-
Increased energy levels and focus
-
Increased iron levels
The process goes as follows: The placenta is sliced and dehydrated at 160 F for 12-24 hours, then ground and placed into capsules. You can expect approximately 100-150 capsules from your placenta, enough to last several months if taken regularly. We will provide you with instructions about how to ingest and store your placenta. The capsules will be returned to you within 72 hours of the birth of your baby.