Birthcenter birth  or Homebirth...

Either way you will be in your own perfect birth suite.You will
have safety, privacy, and the option to labor as you choose. This is your birth. A completely personal event, you may choose to labor with the support of very few people and the monitoring of your midwife. Or you may see your birth as a family experience and any family, friends, or support professionals you want to be with you are welcomed. We easily incorporate fathers, partners, and children into the process. Being in the space you feel safest and most comfortable is an important part of achieving the birth you desire.

We take birth plans very seriously, unobtrusively monitoring labor with a minimum of vaginal examinations.

You will be encouraged and supported in moving and laboring in whatever way is most comfortable for you and that allows you the greatest level of relaxation and mastery of coping with your labor. You may walk, sit, lie in bed, and relax in the shower or a birthing tub. You may also choose to give birth there.

Waterbirth

Warm water often helps muscles relax. Sometimes referred tothe "midwife's epidural", the combination of buoyancy and relaxation seems to lower stress and allow the laboring woman's body to function very efficiently. Babies seem to like it too. The transition from water to water eases the entry for many babies and has a soothing effect on the whole family. Natural beginnings midwives are very comfortable with and skilled in water birth and will offer it as an option for birth when appropriate.



Partner participation...

We take partners' role as parents very seriously and welcome and encourage their full participation. When appropriate, fathers or partners may "catch" their baby (after the midwife has guided the delivery of the head and shoulders).

"Fathers who accepted the opportunity to 'catch' their own babies (in uncomplicated births with supervision) were twice as involved with their baby three months after the births as the dads who had not had this experience". Dr. John Gottman, The Relationship Research Institute, on a study conducted by obstetricians Myron Levine and Robert Black.

At the moment of your birth and the precious moments following it, our focus is to allow you the fullness of this time together uninterrupted with as little interference as possible. Mother and baby are never separated and both are monitored and tended to together.

After the birth of your baby ...

Continuity is the cornerstone of the midwives model of care. Postpartum care begins immediately. Moms, families and babies are never separated. Exams are done with mom and baby right next to each other and with everything being explained as we go. Early breastfeeding is encouraged and supported.

Before the midwife leaves your home, parents are taught what to expect in the next days and weeks and how to monitor their baby's health. While the length of time a midwife remains in your home after the birth of the baby varies from family to family, the typical length of stay is 3 hours. 

Once you are home with your baby...

The Midwives at A Natural Beginning understand that the postpartum time can be the most challenging time of all.

Unlike typical postpartum heath care schedules, the midwifery model of care recognizes the needs of the new family in the first few days and weeks at home. We will visit you in your home within the first 24–36 hours and a clinic visit occurs with mom and baby at 1 week and 3 weeks to ensure successful breastfeeding, and a healthy start together as mother and child.

A 6-week postpartum visit is scheduled to discuss family planning and to make sure the process of transition is normal. This schedule is flexible and would be adjusted according to the family's needs.

The Midwives Model of care

The Midwives Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes.

The Midwives Model of Care includes:

• Monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle
• Providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support
• Minimizing technological interventions
• Identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention

The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.

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