Our Services:

Prenatal Care

Prenatally we cover routine things like ordering labs and ultrasounds; and checking BP, fundal height and heart rate. We also check in on nutrition, sleep and stress levels.
Each step of the pregnancy we give more information about the tests offered through the medical model of care and why they are offered and discuss options for alternatives or declining.
You will have an easy to navigate electronic health record system with educational support, appointment reminders, electronic consents and a messaging system.
You’ll get a direct line to the midwife for urgent concerns and can expect routine prenatal care as follows but adaptable:
Monthly Prenatal Visits from 12-32 weeks
Bi-Weekly Prenatal Visits from 32 -40 weeks
Weekly Prenatal Visits after 40 weeks.

Postpartum Care

At 1 day postpartum we check on both you and the baby, check in on how nursing is going, newborn patterns, answer any questions you may have and do the first two parts of the newborn screenings, the CCHD screening and the metabolic screening.
At 3-5 days we will check in again and answer any breastfeeding related questions. This is when we often do the newborn hearing screening, although it may be deferred to the next visit.
We see you again at 2 weeks, we like to see baby back to their birth weight and offer continued support to ensure everything is normal.
The last visit is the 6 week checkup. We discuss normal expectations, fertility and conception awareness and prevention, family adaptation, normal mood and more.
Although we are officially done with care at this point, we consider ourselves your midwives for a lifetime and are always happy to hear updates and help you get the support you need.

Labor and Birth

We are on call beginning at 37 weeks.
We will keep in close contact with you as labor begins and the team will meet you at the Birth Center after active labor is well established.
We use a doppler to monitor heart tones throughout labor so we can be non-invasive and listen wherever you are.

About an hr after birth we do a full newborn exam and about 2-3 hrs after the birth we load you up in your car to head home.
We are still considered on call in case anything comes up this first few days.

Placenta Encapsulation

The possible benefits of placenta encapsulation include: a decrease in postpartum mood disorders, a decrease in stress hormones, replenishment of iron levels, and increased milk supply. 
We don’t have any significant research, but data in a small study, has demonstrated that following the preparation process, hormones do remain present in placentas.  Researchers have found that levels of both progesterone and estradiol are present at high enough levels that they could cause physiological effects when consumed.  According to the American Pregnancy Association, placenta encapsulation has demonstrated to assist with mood stabilization through supplementing oxytocin levels.  This suggests that placenta encapsulation has a potential regulatory effect on postpartum hormones, which can affect both postpartum mood and milk supply.

Water Birth

Most people when given the opportunity spend time in the water during labor and about 50% of the time, the baby is born in water. Benefits may include easier to change position, decreased risk of perineal tearing, it tends to “take the edge off” and increase the ability to cope well with contractions. Its not uncommon for water born babies to not cry right away, it seems to be a gentle transition for them.

Birth Prep Class

A class specifically curated with you in mind. In this class we cover what to expect in labor and birth both physiologically and emotionally and what to expect after the birth. We go over what we bring to a birth, what an emergency could look like, breastfeeding basics and more.
Our theory is that when our families are well informed on what to expect, things go more smoothly for them and for the midwives.

Breastfeeding Support

Generally we do everything we can to support the breastfeeding relationship from birth. Sometimes nursing is trickier than anticipated and we are available to support you with education, hands on support and tongue tie evaluations. When baby is unable to nurse effectively beyond our understanding, we have lots of options to refer out to Lactation counselors, pediatric dentists, chiropractors, CST and more.

Newborn Screenings

We offer all three parts of the Newborn Screenings:
The CCHD screening for Critical Congenital Heart Defects.
The Newborn Hearing Screening.
The Metabolic Screening.
Michigan.Gov

Fertility Support/ IUI

Preconception consults can include: Creating a plan for preparing your body to become pregnant; nutrition, supplement and stress reduction strategies.

We will help you understand how your cycle works and how to track signs of fertility and review your medical history and risk factors. 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI):
IUI is a procedure in which washed sperm is placed directly into the uterus through a small catheter (tube) that goes through the cervix. As midwives, we can do this procedure in the comfort of your own home, where your comfort and autonomy are our top priorities. We work together to determine ovulation and the best day/time for the procedure(s) to take place to increase the likelihood of conception.  

Well Woman/Well Person Care

We can perform a head to toe Well Woman/Well Person exam including a Pap smear when indicated.
Health begins with knowledge and awareness of self. We practice in an affirming manner that encourages you to deepen your connection with self, always explaining and offering time for questions and thoughts.
Our goal in particular is to support people who are uncomfortable within the traditional healthcare setting.
We believe strongly in a community model of care, with integrating other practitioners & their expertise when appropriate.