Labor of Love 

• Free Initial Interview
• Prenatal Care
• Nutritional Counseling
• Private Childbirth Education 
• Lending Library
• Unlimited phone/text/email Support
• Labor and Delivery
• Supplies I Bring to a Birth (listed in client package)
• Labor Tools Available (balls, rebozo, birth stool...)
• Alternative Options Available
• Neonatal Care
• Education on Newborn Care
• Postpartum Care
• Birth Summary
• Breastfeeding Support 

In case of transport, my role shifts to childbirth assistant/doula

As a midwife I DO NOT:

• Deliver in hospitals
• Perform cesareans or circumcisions
• Prescribe drugs
• Make decisions for you
• Provide childcare for siblings
• Do household cleanings

Prenatal

• Free initial interview to get aquainted and discuss arrangements
• 2 prenatal visits (1 hour each) (may be accompanying to OB appointment)
• Practice positions and comfort techniques
• Resources and information
• Explanation of the birth process and medical procedures
• Assistance in creating your personal birth plan
• Unlimited phone/email/text consultations to discuss pregnancy progress and address questions or concern
  

Labor and Delivery

• On-call from week 37 until your birth (as needed in the event of premature labor)
• Continuous care for you and your partner while you are in labor, during delivery, and at least 2 hours immediately postpartum
• Any supplies I use while supporting you
• Smooth the transition to the hospital
• Preparing the birth space
• Picture/video taking (when available) 
• Food preparation/pickup 
• Comfort measures and assistance with pain-coping techniques
• Explaining suggested medical procedures and their pros and cons
• Fostering the spirit of joy and cooperation among the birthing family, nurses, doctors and hospital staff, reducing anxiety, worry and fear
• Give your partner a break for meals and to sleep if necessary so that he can be fully present and energized to care for your little one during the first few hours
• Maintain always a positive spirit of love and peace.

Postpartum

• Unlimited phone/email/text contact to answer questions and concerns
• Breastfeeding support
• Postpartum comfort measures
• Explanation of newborn characteristics and newborn care
• Resources and information
• 2 postpartum visits (2 hours each)
• photocopies of my notes taken during your labor
• Post-partum review of birth

As a childbirth assistant, I DO NOT:

1. Deliver babies. I assist the laboring mother in educational, physical, and emotional support. 
2. Make decisions for you. I will help you get the information necessary to make an informed decision.  
3. Speak to the staff for you. I will discuss your concerns with you and suggest options, but you or your partner will communicate directly with the clinical staff. Only the mother and father may speak on yours and your baby’s behalf. 
4. Provide primary childcare for siblings.  I cannot adequately support you and care for a child at the same time.  If you have an older child that will be at the birth, I recommend having someone the child is familiar with designated to care for the child during your labor and birth. It may be possible to bring one of my own children to help with siblings. If so, they should be compensated for child care.

The goal of post-partum services is to allow the home environment to be as calm as possible the first weeks after the baby is born. A calm home will permit the family to bond with the new baby and allow the mother to rest and recover so she is able to take care of the baby. Most women cannot rest comfortably in a house that is not cleaned and well taken care of, feeling the need to do it themselves, and inhibiting the necessary bonding and healing that takes place in the first two weeks.

Because I recognize a family's need for support does not end at birth, I am also available for home visits to those who need extra support after baby is born. This also makes a great gift from the Grandparents, other family, or even friends, who wish they were there to help, but couldn't make it at the time.

Service packages will be arranged on an hourly or weekly scale, with days consisting of 3-4 hours. Times of services will be determined as soon as the parents contact me for scheduling, following the birth of the baby. Payment is due on or before the date of service.

Overnight stays are available; a 24 hour period.

• In home support
• Listen with empathy, provide support and encouragement
• Provide information about community resources
• Provide breastfeeding support
• Instruct in newborn care
• Help with sibling preparation and adjustment
• Assist mother in self-care
• Provide limited childcare of both newborn and siblings to allow mother to care for herself and bond with baby
• Light housework
• Meal preparation
• Assistance with errands
• Assist with outings to help you get comfortable with daily life with more than one child.

Other duties may be negotiated on an individual need basis. It is helpful if you have a list of needs prepared for each meeting. During the service period you may contact me for telephone support at any time. Telephone support will not be billed as work time under normal circumstances. It may be helpful to telephone if you have items you need picked up so our appointed time may be most efficiently used. If I purchase items for you during the course of employment please be prepared to reimburse me upon receipt of goods.

Things I will NOT DO: 

1. Excessive or non-critical domestic chores such as cleaning the bathroom, washing windows, or scrubbing floors.
2. Take over the care of the baby. I am there to assist you in becoming comfortable caring for your own baby, not to do it for you.

Additional services are available for additional fees:

• Belly Casting
• Belly Mapping
• Placental Encapsulation
• Placental Art or Keepsakes