Midwifery Care
Kin Midwives offers full spectrum midwifery care from the moment you discover you’re pregnant. Prenatal, birth, and postpartum care is all completed in the comfort of your own home.
Early Pregnancy Care
We believe that pregnancy care should start as soon as you discover you’re pregnant. You should never have to wait until 10-12 weeks to reach a prenatal care provider. Please call us with early pregnancy questions or concerns, even if you haven’t yet established care with anyone. It’s a complimentary service we offer to all pregnant people in our community regardless of whether or not you continue your care with us. We are always available to provide prompt and sensitive miscarriage care to families experiencing early pregnancy loss.
Prenatal Care
Your care during your pregnancy happens in un-rushed visits with your midwife at standard intervals in the comfort of your own home. Visits take about an hour and include standard prenatal checks of your vital signs and checks on your growing baby. We will discuss any tests and procedures which may be offered so that you are able to customize your care to what feels best for you and your family. I perform blood draws for lab tests at home during visits and you will be referred out for ultrasound examinations or physician consultations if and/or when they are necessary. Partners and siblings are always welcome to participate as much or as little as you’d prefer. You will have access to your own electronic medical record and a comprehensive on-line library of pregnancy resources through a web portal. That number you’ll be given? It’s my cell phone number. You will enjoy 24/7 phone access to your midwife throughout your course of care for any urgent questions or worries.
Watch the video below to hear more about prenatal care with Kin Midwives.
Home Birth
Birth at home is a healthy and appropriate choice for people experiencing low risk, uncomplicated pregnancies. We’ll discuss your wishes for your birth, and I’ll be continuously evaluating your pregnancy and then your labor to ensure that things remain healthy and normal throughout. I will bring all the supplies, medications and equipment needed to facilitate normal birth including a hard sided heated water birth tub which you may use for relief during labor and in which you may birth your baby if you would like.
I will attend your birth with at least one trained assistant on the day, who you will have the opportunity to meet during your course of care. The rest of your birth team is up to you. Siblings? Grandparents? Doula? Family pets? Within the boundaries of safety, whatever feels right for your family is what we’ll do.
Sometimes things come up during labor which necessitate a change of plans and a move to the hospital for delivery or immediately following birth. Transfers during labor are more common for first time birthing people (Doula support and childbirth education dramatically reduce the rate of transfer in these cases) and are usually for a long labor and/or desire for pain relief. Occasionally it’s a need for higher level monitoring of baby or the need for another hospital tool.
We will discuss all of these possibilities during your care so there are no surprises. Transfers of this kind are usually non-emergent. Whatever the scenario, you will be accompanied to the hospital and I will resume your postpartum care when you return home. The plan is never home birth at all costs. My job is to make sure that your baby is born in the right place on the day, depending on what’s happening.
Home birth is an attractive option for people who would prefer to labor and birth with few interventions, minimal disturbance and as much independence as they need. Birthing people and often their partners or other family members are often involved intimately in the labor and birth process, providing physical and emotional support and even in hands-on ways during the actual delivery. There’s usually no reason why my hands should be the first to touch your baby!
The COVID 19 pandemic means that there are a few more guidelines in place to help ensure everyone’s safety during your care and during labor and delivery, but in general there are fewer restrictions in your own home than you would typically encounter in a hospital at this time.
Postpartum (After Birth) and Newborn Care
After your baby is born at home as planned, I will stay with you for a few hours to monitor your recovery and examine your baby to make sure everyone is healthy and well. You will be taught how to monitor yourself and your baby till I see you the following day.
If your baby is born in the hospital, I will conduct your normal postpartum and newborn care on schedule once you return home, usually between 12 to 24 hrs after birth.
I will be back for postpartum visits at 24 hrs and 3-4 days to ensure that you and baby are recovering happily, to perform some vital early tests on baby and to assist with early breastfeeding. As always I’m always on the other end of the phone for any little concerns which might come up.
Your baby will enter the care of your chosen pediatric provider at 2 weeks of age, but I’ll see you again at 3 weeks and 6 weeks for our final, bittersweet visit to conclude your care.
Is This Your First Pregnancy?
While all pregnancies are special, first ones are honestly, a bigger deal. There is much to learn, much to prepare for, and your needs as a first time pregnant person are different. My years of practice have taught me that a couple of things dramatically optimize your chances for the best possible journey through pregnancy and into parenthood.
The short version - If you’ve never given birth before you need:
Childbirth Education
A Doula (professional labor support person)
Ask me for my recommendations for a great local class and local doulas or visit Peninsula Birth Network for a comprehensive list.
Childbirth Education
Just as you would be unlikely to complete a marathon without training, it’s hard to have a baby without pain medication if you haven’t learned all about it, and practiced some of the skills you’ll need to make it happen. Many hospital childbirth classes are focused on the medical tools available there (i.e. What is an epidural and when to get one), and less on the non-pharmaceutical comfort measures which are vital if you plan to give birth without an epidural.
A great childbirth class will equip you with the knowledge and confidence you will need to proceed confidently through the birth process. If your midwife is your tour guide, childbirth education is your map.
Doulas
As your midwife, my job is to ensure the health and safety of you and your baby. Your doula is there to see to your physical and emotional comfort during what will inevitably be one of the most physically challenging and yes, painful, experiences of your life. I joke (sort of) that you’ll take your childbirth education and learn all your comfort measures, and then you’ll have your first contraction and it’ll all fly right out of your head. THAT’s where your doula steps in. They will remind you of all the things you’ve learned and when to apply them. Doulas are often equally wonderful supports for partners, subbing out when bathroom or sandwich breaks are needed, and helping them support you through those crucial hours. No one ever regretted adding a wonderful doula to their team. Most people in the know wouldn’t dream of having a baby without one. (#midwifetip)