Here is the breakdown of the home birth midwifery prenatal schedule as well as what you can expect from us during the journey of growing your baby!

 Starting around 10 weeks gestation, there will be an initial prenatal visit. At this time we will go over your history in detail and make sure that all of your questions have been answered. 

Appointments are scheduled:

Once a month until you are 32 weeks

Every 2 weeks from 32-36 weeks 

Weekly from 36 until delivery 

Additional visits may be scheduled as needed.  

Prenatal appointments will last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. During your appointments, we will spend time talking about your pregnancy, nutrition, baby, birth, emotions, and answer all of your questions. Your vitals will be taken and we will check to make sure all is well with your baby. Through longer appointments, a strong foundation of trust is established. 

Visits are scheduled in office at Journey to Health Chiropractic in Sterling Heights, MI with an in home appointment taking place at 36 weeks. 

The midwifery model of care helps to minimize problems associated with pregnancy through a well balanced healthy diet, adequate sleep, and exercise. The client takes responsibility for the health of herself and baby by committing to eating healthy and getting regular exercise. We will help guide you along the way!

Communication between appointments via phone or your client portal is available during normal business hours

It's almost time to meet your baby!

Starting at 37 weeks, your midwifery team is on call for you 24 hours a day.  We will stay in communication until your labor becomes active. Once  labor becomes active, your primary midwife will join you at your home. The birthing team may include a second midwife, birthing assistant or student midwife. While at your birth, we will use intermittent monitoring throughout labor and delivery. You will be encouraged to follow the signals of your body and birth your baby in any position that you desire.

Birth Doulas are encouraged. They are a valuable asset to your team and can provide emotional and physical support to you during labor. 

You did it! Your baby has joined us earthside!

Once your baby is born, we respect the  mother/baby bonding period immediately after the birth. We will monitor you and your baby closely, in a non-invasive way. Prolonged skin to skin is encouraged. Delayed cord clamping is our normal. When you are ready for the umbilical cord to be cut, we will assist whomever you choose in doing so. If desired, an herbal bath will be made for you and your baby.

A thorough newborn examination  is performed checking  vitals, measurements, reflexes and weight. 

While you are bonding with your baby, we will continue to monitor everyone's well being. We also help with breastfeeding as needed.  Before departing, clean up is completed and everyone will be stable and tucked into bed.

The first 2 postpartum visits will be at your home and are scheduled for days 1 and 7. Lactation support from Feed the Babes will be scheduled between days 3-5. The last three  postpartum visits are in office and are scheduled at 2,  4 and 6 weeks postpartum. 

Your midwives are available via phone or client portal if there are any questions during the 6 weeks after your birth. 

The newborn screening will be offered at the 24 hour visit. There are three different parts of the newborn screen. The metabolic screening blood spot collection and  pulse ox reading are offered as close to 24 hours post birth as possible. A hearing screening is offered within the first 2 weeks after birth. It's Your Birth offers all three parts of the newborn screening for  clients.  For more information, follow the link: 

www.michigan.gov/newbornscreening   

Birth Doula's provide educational, emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor and delivery. When you hire a Doula from It's Your Birth, the package includes the following:

• Two prenatal appointments. During this time you and your Doula will get to know each other and discuss your birthing preferences. Appointments are approximately 60 minutes in duration. 
• On-call time from 37 to 42 weeks gestation. 
•  Attendance during active labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum. 
• One postpartum visit within the first week after delivery.

 Hiring a Birth Doula can lead to a 

• 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin
• 28% decrease in the risk of Cesarean
• 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
• 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
• 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
• 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience

Check out https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/  for more information and a free printout. 

Post Partum Midwifery services are for those who have had a hospital birth, but desire the 6 week postpartum care that a homebirth midwife would normally provide to her homebirth client. The schedule for this service is to see you and your baby on days 3 and 7 in home; followed by office visits at 2, 4 and 6 weeks postpartum. During these visits, the midwife will check to make sure that all vitals for mom and baby are within a normal range. She is also there to answer questions and provide emotional support.  If during a visit, vitals for either mom or baby present as abnormal, we would recommend that you contact your primary care physician as soon as possible.  A postpartum midwife does not replace your primary care physician and she does not give medical advice.